Senate approves Ilaro Polytechnic upgrade to University

The Senate approved the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State to a University of Technology on Tuesday.

The turn of events followed the third reading of a bill for an Act to provide establishing the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro and for Other Matters Connected herewith.

All Progressives Congress (APC) senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Solomon Adeola sponsored the bill.

The piece of legislation was previously sponsored by Adeola in the 8th Senate, but could not be passed before the expiration of the 8th Senate and it was again presented again in the 9th Senate for consideration and passage.

The Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Sadiq Umar Sulaiman, presented the report on behalf of the chairman of the committee Senator Ahmad Babba-Kaita.

The report said that there was a need to increase opportunities for advanced education in technology.

He further stated that the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro to a University of Technology will be of huge advantage for host communities, offer employment and also educational growth to immediately boost way for degree awards in technological fields for populous youths in Nigeria.

The bill, which was passed after in-depth deliberation of its clauses by the Senate in plenary is now set for agreement of the House of Representatives and final agreement by the President.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan commended Adeola for the passage of the bill that he had pursued since the 8th Senate.

Adeola, who was excited at the bill passed, said that the passage marks a fulfilment of one of his legislative agenda relative to the institutional growth of education at all levels.

He further said that the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro already have enough facilities for the upgrade to take off immediately without much spending as would have been vital for a brand-new university.