Nigeria Moves to Establish New Specialized Universities as Senate Holds Critical Hearing

The Nigerian government has begun legislative processes to establish several new specialized universities across the country, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio calling for greater investment in human capital development to keep pace with global advancements.

Speaking at a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund on Monday in Abuja, Akpabio emphasized that Nigeria stands at a “pivotal point” in its development and must strategically expand access to specialized education.

Represented by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, he stressed that “our population continues to grow, and so must our investments in human capital,” adding that universities focused on technology, health sciences, and vocational skills will drive job creation and innovation.

The hearing examined six key bills, including proposals for the Federal University of Education (Special), Oyo; the Federal University of Health Sciences, Funtua; the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi; the Federal University of Geomatics, Oyo; the Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba; and amendments to the Federal University of Technology, Omoku.

Akpabio highlighted the importance of institutions like the proposed University of Education (Special), Oyo, in promoting inclusion for students with disabilities, stating that the Senate’s task is to ensure these universities are “not only established, but sustainable, well-funded, effectively governed, and tailored to the 21st-century learner.”

Senator Muntari Dandutse, who chairs the committee and sponsors the Funtua health sciences bill, warned that Nigeria must urgently modernize medical education to keep up with advancements like AI and robotics in healthcare.

“As AI continues to automate procedures, the future of medical work is shifting. We must position Nigeria to keep pace or risk falling behind,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Yunus Akintunde, proposing two bills, explained that upgrading the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, into a university would make Nigeria a leader in special needs education in sub-Saharan Africa.

“This university will provide equitable access to education, especially for persons with disabilities,” he said, noting that it aligns with the government’s commitment to inclusive development.