National Assembly seeks Buhari's assent to Federal University of Technology, Ipokia Bill

• Published date: 12 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Ojo Olatunde Amos, has written to President Muhammadu Buhari to give his assent to Federal University of Technology, Ipokia, Ogun State (establishment) Bill, which was first passed into law by the House of Representatives in July 2021.

The law is yet to come into effect almost two years after it was passed.

A memo from the National Assembly Clerk addressed to the President, entitled: 'Federal University of Technology, Ipokia (Establishment) Bill, 2022', on January 9, reads: 'In consonance with the provisions of the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, I wish, with due respect, to forward to your Excellency, the authenticated copies of the Federal University of Technology, Ipokia (Establishment) Bill, 2022 for your consideration and assent.

'After your Excellency's assent, one copy of the signed Bill should be retained in your office while the other two are to be returned for our further action, please.'

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Kolawole Lawal, was read for the first time on November 27, 2019 and passed through second reading one month later. It was passed into law by the House on July 8, 2021 and sent to the Senate for concurrence in accordance with the lawmaking process.

Lawal, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, represents Egbado South/Ipokia Federal Constituency of Ogun State.

During the Second Reading of the bill, the lawmaker told his colleagues that being a border community, the establishment of a university of technology in the town would encourage the people to seek higher education and also attract foreign students from neighbouring countries, and enhance development.

He said technology plays a critical role in transforming societies and economies through enhancing efficiency, connectivity and access to resources and services.

According to him, 'developments in science and technology are fundamentally altering the way people live, connect, communicate and transact, with profound effects on economic development...