A bill seeking to establish the Federal University of Education, Ankpa, in Kogi State has passed its second reading in the Nigerian Senate.
Sponsored by Senator Jibrin Isah (Kogi East), the proposed legislation aims to transform the existing State College of Education in Ankpa into a federal institution dedicated to teacher education and academic research.
While presenting the bill during plenary on Tuesday, Senator Isah highlighted the significance of specialized institutions in building capacity for national development.
“The establishment of this university is not just timely—it is essential for training competent educators who can respond to Nigeria’s growing educational challenges,” he said.
The lawmaker underscored the alignment of the bill with the National Policy on Education (1981), which describes education as the most vital investment for national progress.
He explained that the proposed university would offer professional and academic programs, facilitate curriculum innovation, and promote inclusive access to quality education.
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“The Federal University of Education, Ankpa, will drive research in modern teaching techniques and offer adaptive learning solutions while also training and retraining teachers to meet evolving standards,” he added.
Isah further noted that the College of Education, Ankpa, already has affiliations with six Nigerian universities and currently runs multiple degree programs. According to him, this existing framework makes the transition to a federal university more feasible without placing a heavy financial burden on the government.
He cited Order 76(3) of the Senate Standing Orders (2023 as amended), which allows legislative upgrade of institutions when key infrastructure is already in place.
Appealing to fellow lawmakers for bipartisan support, Isah remarked, “This initiative will help balance educational opportunities in the North Central region and contribute immensely to human capital development nationwide.”
In his response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the bill sponsor and expressed optimism about its impact on Nigeria’s education sector.
The bill was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, with a directive to report back within six weeks.