By Erewunmi Peace

In what many are calling a historic legislative move, the Nigerian Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has passed bills establishing 15 new universities of technology across the country.

Speaking during the plenary session, Akpabio described the development as unprecedented, stating,

“I must say that this is totally uncommon; it has never happened in the Senate since 1999.”

The Senate’s approval marks a significant step in expanding Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape, with the new institutions expected to enhance access to technological and vocational education across all geopolitical zones.

Akpabio praised the Senate for what he called a “corrective” and “progressive” approach to national development, emphasizing that the 10th Senate is determined to address the imbalance in educational infrastructure and opportunity.

According to sources, the move is part of the National Assembly’s broader agenda to promote science and technology in line with Nigeria’s developmental goals and youth empowerment programs.

The bills, which now await presidential assent, propose the establishment of universities in underrepresented regions, boosting local economies and providing employment and academic opportunities.

Stakeholders in the education sector have welcomed the move, calling it a “bold step” toward reducing the admission gap in Nigeria’s universities. Critics, however, have raised concerns about funding, sustainability, and infrastructure readiness.

Still, Akpabio’s remarks have resonated widely, especially as the Senate positions itself as a proactive legislative body intent on legacy-driven reforms.