…Now Degree Awarding
Niger State House of Assembly has passed a law to establish the Abdulsalami Abubakar University of Agriculture and Climate Change in Mokwa. The decision, based on the Committee on Education, Science, and Technology’s findings, confirmed the state’s capability to fund the institution, which will offer specialized knowledge in agriculture and climate change.
Hon. Muhammad Sani Idris, representing Tafa Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science, and Technology, presented the committee’s report at plenary.
Hon. Sani Idris assured that mechanisms for the university’s financial self-reliance are in place, ensuring it will not burden the government. He also mentioned plans for establishing more educational institutions in the future.
Presenting the Report at the plenary of the House, Chairman, Hon. Mohammad Sani Idris said that in carrying out the assignment the Committee invited key players to obtain their input.
At the end of the presentation the Bill was considered Clause by Clause and unanimously adopted and was subsequently passed into law.
In a related development, the House also enacted a new law re-establishing the Niger State College of Education, Minna, empowering it to offer both National Certificate of Education (NCE) and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree programmes.
The bill, which repealed the Niger State College of Education Law of 2011, was passed after the third reading, leading to the enactment of the new law in 2024.
Hon. Sani Idris explained that the new law aligns with the National Assembly’s act, allowing Federal Colleges of Education to offer both NCE and B.Ed. programmes.
He emphasized that the National University Commission (NUC) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) have set criteria for this dual mandate.
Degree programmes previously offered through affiliations with other universities at the College of Education, Minna, will be phased out, allowing NCE graduates to continue their education at the College to earn a degree.
The Speaker Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji who presided over the plenary of the House commended the two Committees and Members of the House for a job well done, he said that this is 17th Bill the 10th Assembly has Passed into law in less than two (2) years.
The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House to transmit clean copies of the law to the Executive Governor for assent.
