By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Senator Babangida Hussaini Uba (Jigawa North West), has said that the Federal University of Education Gumel, Jigawa State, (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB.239), when passed will create employment, add value to the educational sector and will expand the scope of knowledge.
He stated this as the bill seeking the transformation of the Jigawa State College of Education, Gumel, into the Federal University of Education, Gumel scaled second reading at the floor of the senate on Wednesday.
Highlighting the benefits of the Bill to journalists in his office, the sponsor of the Bill, Sen Hussaini said he is happy and fulfilled that the bill he initiated has crystalised and gotten into second reading. He hinted that the institution has been producing National Certificate in Education (NCE) holders for the past 35 years having been established in the 70s and 80s by the Abdulkarim administration. Adding that it was quite sad that most its peers have transmuted into universities of education while the institution has remained what it is.
On the issue of how the varsity will be funded, the Jigawa senator said that this side of argument comes up often times without looking at the positive side of the Bill. He said the focus should be on the positive side – which is a means of creating employment for our teeming youth running around for no jobs. He also stated that if properly managed, the institution can self-fund itself.
Precise Post recalls that leading the debate earlier at the floor of the senate, Senator Uba emphasized the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria’s teacher education system, describing the proposed university as a strategic response to the national demand for highly trained and qualified educators.
“A strong and effective educational system is only possible when we have qualified professionals who can impart knowledge,” he stated. “This institution will focus on training the next generation of teachers, just as universities of education do in other advanced nations.”
The Federal University of Education, Gumel, once established, will offer a wide range of academic and professional programs including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in education, technology, applied sciences, agriculture, arts, and management. According to Uba, the university aims to produce educators who are not only knowledgeable but also innovative and capable of addressing Nigeria’s evolving educational challenges.
Key objectives of the proposed institution include promoting inclusive learning, advancing research and innovation, improving teacher training, and fostering collaboration with global educational bodies.
Senator Uba also stressed that the bill would not incur additional financial costs for the Federal Government, as the new university would utilize existing infrastructure from the Jigawa State College of Education. He revealed that the state government has already agreed to hand over the college for this purpose.
Calling for swift passage of the bill, Uba said, “This legislation is a step toward reviving our educational sector and ensuring balanced development across the nation, particularly in Jigawa State.”
The Senate is expected to deliberate further on the bill in the coming legislative sessions.
