Abuja – Efforts to elevate the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba to a Federal University of Technology advanced as a bill proposing the upgrade passed its second reading in the Senate. Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP, Delta North), the bill, titled *“An Act to Amend the Federal Universities of Technology Act, Cap.F23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,”* aims to transform the college into the Federal University of Technology, Asaba.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin presided over the session and referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, with a report expected in four weeks.
Presenting the bill, Senator Nwoko stressed the upgrade as essential for fostering technological education and innovation in Nigeria. Highlighting that the South-South region lacks a dedicated Federal University of Technology, Nwoko argued that Asaba’s strategic location near industrial hubs and its robust educational foundation make it ideal for the proposed university.
“The Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, established in 1987, has a strong reputation for excellence in technical education,” he noted. “Upgrading it will not only broaden its scope but also address the rising demand for technical expertise in the South-South region and beyond.”
Nwoko emphasized that the bill aligns with national goals of economic diversification and workforce development in science, engineering, and technology. The proposed university, he added, would serve local industries and align with Nigeria’s focus on building a technology-driven economy.
The bill’s next steps in the legislative process will be closely monitored as supporters look toward the creation of a regional hub for research and development in Asaba.
