A Bill seeking to convert the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a full-fledged university yesterday scaled second reading in the Senate.

The Bill, titled: “A Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of the Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos State, and to make comprehensive provisions for its due management and administration and for other related matters, 2025,” was sponsored by Senate Leader Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).

During a working visit to the college in February, Education Minister Tunji Alausa had said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved its conversion into a university.

In his lead debate, Bamidele said the Bill became necessary to give legal backing to the conversion of the school to a university through fiat by President Tinubu.

He said: “The Bill essentially seeks to transform and upgrade the Yaba College of Technology to Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies, Yaba, Lagos State, which has already been done via presidential fiat.

“Nigeria’s steady march towards education for all in the shortest possible time has taken a giant leap with the introduction of this Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of this university…

“The institution is prepared to undertake the educational and other modifications that are a natural corollary of transforming to a university.

“The institution is also prepared to remain true to its core mandate of producing well-trained manpower capable of driving the technological, management and business goals of the nation.”

All senators supported the Bill and approved that it be read for a second time, when it was put to voice vote by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin who presided over plenary.

Also, yesterday, the Senate passed a Bill for an Act to establish Nigeria Police University of Science and Technology at Erinja, Yewa, Ogun State.

This followed the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs on the Bill at plenary.

Committee Chairman Abdulhamid Ahmed Mallam-Madori said the university, when established, would strengthen law enforcement capacity by providing specialised education in science and technology as well as facilitate security research and innovation.

He added that the university would catalyse local economic growth by stimulating economic activity, create employment opportunities and improve infrastructure within Erinja, Yewa, Ogun State, as well as promote community engagement and inclusion.

The Senate also passed a “Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act, Cap. F22, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make provision for the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture, Kura, Kano State, and for related matters”.

This followed the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, chaired by Senator Simon Lalong.

The Bill was sponsored by Senator Rufa’i Hanga (NNPP, Kano Central).

All senators supported the Bill and approved that it be read for a third time when put to voice vote by Senator Barau.