The Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday, passed the second reading of a bill seeking to establish the Federal University of Education, Ankpa, in Kogi State.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Jibrin Isah (Kogi East), aims to upgrade the existing State College of Education in Ankpa into a full-fledged federal university.
Leading the debate on the bill in Abuja, Isah emphasised the strategic importance of specialised institutions dedicated to teacher training, skill acquisition, and manpower development.
He stated that the proposed university would play a vital role in strengthening Nigeria’s teacher education system and contributing to national development.
Citing the National Policy on Education (1981), which describes education as “the greatest investment that a nation can make for the quick development of its economic, political, and social systems,” the senator argued that the new institution would be instrumental in producing a new generation of professional educators capable of addressing the evolving challenges in Nigeria’s educational landscape.
“The Federal University of Education, Ankpa, will not only promote academic and professional programs but will also lead research and innovation in curriculum development and modern teaching methodologies,” he said.
The senator outlined the key objectives of the proposed university, including, “Promoting inclusive and non-discriminatory access to education; awarding degrees and diplomas in education and related disciplines; conducting adaptive research to improve educational delivery; and training and retraining teachers to enhance human capital development.
Senator Isah noted that the existing College of Education in Ankpa already maintains affiliations with six Nigerian universities and offers various degree programs—a foundation he said would ease the institution’s transition without requiring extensive financial outlay.
He added that the bill adheres to Order 76(3) of the Senate Standing Orders (2023 as amended), which permits such legislative upgrades when basic infrastructure is already in place.
In his closing remarks, the senator appealed to his colleagues for bipartisan support, stating: “The enactment of this bill will boost the quality of teacher education, address the rising demand for qualified educators, and support balanced educational growth across the North Central region.”
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the sponsor and referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, with instructions to report back within six weeks.
