Senate Directs Fresh Bill for Federal Polytechnic in Nasarawa After Upgrade to University

The Senate has advised the sponsor of a bill seeking to establish a federal polytechnic in Nasarawa State to withdraw the proposed legislation and introduce a fresh bill, citing legal and procedural concerns arising from the upgrade of the existing institution to a university.

The advice followed deliberations on the bill, during which lawmakers argued that the proposed legislation could not proceed on the basis of an institution that had already been upgraded and no longer existed in its former status.

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, acknowledged the sponsor’s commitment to addressing the educational needs of his constituents but said a new bill would be the appropriate legislative route.

Barau explained that rather than seeking to relocate an institution that had become a university, the sponsor should propose legislation to establish a new federal polytechnic at the desired location in Nasarawa State.

He cited a similar development in another state, where the upgrade of a federal polytechnic to a university required fresh legislation to establish another polytechnic.

The deputy Senate president urged the bill’s sponsor to withdraw the proposal and follow the appropriate legislative procedure, assuring him of his support for establishing a federal polytechnic in the state.

Another senator who contributed to the debate backed the position, arguing that the proposed legislation could not proceed on the basis of an institution that had already been upgraded.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio also supported the call for a fresh bill, comparing the situation to the conversion of a primary school into a secondary school.

Akpabio explained that once an institution is upgraded, it ceases to operate in its former status and cannot simply be relocated as though it still existed in its original form.

He expressed confidence that a fresh bill would receive the support of lawmakers and President Bola Tinubu, noting that establishing another federal polytechnic would help address Nasarawa State’s educational needs.

Responding to the contributions, the bill’s sponsor, Senator Danladi Envulu Anza, who represents Nasarawa North Senatorial District, thanked the Senate president and his colleagues for their guidance and contributions to the debate.

The proposed legislation is intended to expand access to tertiary education in Nasarawa State. However, the Senate’s position means the sponsor would need to pursue a fresh legislative process before the proposed institution could be established.