Bill to establish University of Agriculture Akure passes second reading

The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading, a bill to establish the Federal University of Agriculture Akure, Ondo State.

This followed, the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC-Ondo).

Senator Adegbonmire in his lead debate said the bill seeks to upgrade the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State to a full-fledged Federal University of Agriculture.

He said the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, was established on  Jan 10,1957, and occupies a total land space of approximately 1061.4 acres.

According to him, there are presently six Federal Universities of Agriculture in Nigeria which includes Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State established on Jan.1,  1988.

Others are Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, formerly Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi Benue State, established on the  January 1,  1988.

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state established on Nov. 13, 1992.

Others are Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi, Adamawa State which was recently established and Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, Kebbi State was established in September 2020 and Federal University of Agriculture Bassam-Biri, Bayelsa State, established in 2023.

The Lawmaker said, given the challenges in food production and the quest to improve same, Nigeria does not have enough Federal Universities of Agriculture to train and educate persons on knowledge required to ensure that Nigeria is self-sufficient in food production.

According to him, Nigeria still needs to train several personnel in the modern methods of food production.

Senator Adegbonmire  explained that it was is in the best interest of  Nigeria that the Federal University of Agriculture Akure, Ondo state be established.

“The bill seeks in the main to upgrade the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State to a University of Agriculture. 

“Section 2 of the proposed bill sets out the objectives of the proposed University, and I respectfully invite my distinguished colleagues to study same.  

 “The provisions of the bill are geared towards ensuring the realisation of the objectives of the bill as stated its section 2

 “The Federal College of Agriculture already has all of the facilities necessary for the establishment of the University”.

He said that the  establishment of a University of Agriculture in Akure, would further ensure  provision of  diverse opportunities for its citizens  interested in boosting the country’s food production adding that the school would enable such citizens to learn the most advanced methods of improving food production.

Senator Adegbonmire appealed to lawmakers  to support the second reading of the bill.

President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, shortly after the bill was read the second time, referred it to Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further legislative input.

The committee is to report back to plenary to in four weeks.