Amid ASSU Strike, Senate Passes Bill to Establish New Universities in Six Geo-Political Zones

Just as ongoing strike action embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) entered 50th days today, Tuesday 5th of April, the Nigeria Senate has passed a bill seeking to establish a Federal University of Medical Sciences and Biomedical Technology across the six geo-political zones in the country.

The bill was passed during plenary after the chamber considered a report on it by the Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary).

Also Read: Gov AbdulRazaq Excited as Kwaran Emerges Chancellor of UK Varsity

Defending the bill, the Chairman of the Committee on Health, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central), said the establishment of the universities in the six zones of the country would address the dearth of admission of students aspiring to study Medicine and Allied Sciences in Nigeria.

Also Read: JAMB makes NIN mandatory for University applicants, discloses date for 2021 UTME

According to the lawmaker, the presence of the university would also supply the much needed manpower in healthcare service sector as well as boost income generation and ensure economic growth.

“When passed into law, the huge gap in doctor-patient ratio as well as in medical research and production of pharmaceutical products will be abridged.

“The universities will also advance healthcare delivery in Nigeria through research and innovation, training and development of the health sector”, he said.

Also Read: FEDPOFFA Lauds, Honours Sen Ashiru over Support

The Federal University of Medical Sciences and Biomedical Technology bill was passed by the chamber after a clause-by-clause consideration of the report on it by the Committee of the Whole.