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

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

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

He said the college of agriculture was established on January 10, 1957, and occupied a total land space of approximately 1061.4 acres.

According to him, there are presently six federal universities of agriculture in Nigeria, which includes the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in Ogun, established on January 1, 1988.

He said others are Joseph Tarka University, Makurdi, formerly the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi in Benue, established on January 1, 1988.

He named the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, in Abia, established on November 13, 1992, and the Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi, in Adamawa, as one of them.

Also on the list are the Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, Kebbi State, established in September 2020, and the Federal University of Agriculture, Bassam-Biri, Bayelsa, established in 2023.

According to him, Nigeria does not have enough federal universities of agriculture to train and educate people on the knowledge required to ensure the country is self-sufficient in food production.

Mr Adegbonmire explained that this was due to the prevailing challenges faced in food production and the quest to improve the same.

He said Nigeria still needed to train personnel in modern food production methods, adding that establishing the new institution was in the country’s best interest.

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

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

“The Federal College of Agriculture already has all of the facilities necessary for the establishment of the university,” he stressed.

Mr Adegbonmire said establishing a university of agriculture in Akure would further ensure the provision of diverse opportunities for its citizens interested in boosting the country’s food production.

He appealed to his colleagues to support the second reading of the bill.

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

He directed the committee to report back to plenary within four weeks.

(NAN)