Senate Passes Bill to Establish Federal University of Mining in Nigeria

The Nigerian Senate has approved a bill to establish a Federal University of Mining and Geo-Science in Jos, Plateau State.

This legislation, sponsored by Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central), repeals the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geo-Science Act of 2018.

The Senate reached this decision following a clause-by-clause review of the bill during its plenary session. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced its passage after securing majority support through a voice vote.

Presenting the committee’s report, Muntari Dandutse, Chairperson of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, noted that numerous stakeholders expressed unanimous support for the university’s establishment.

He explained that the committee had thoroughly examined the bill’s provisions, and the majority of senators had backed it during the public hearing. Okechukwu Ezea, representing the Enugu North Senatorial District, seconded the motion for its passage.

Mr. Plang highlighted the involvement of key stakeholders, including Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, six first-class traditional rulers, and various mining sector representatives, during the public hearing.

He stated, “The public hearing on this bill was overwhelming, where we even had the governor of Plateau and six first-class traditional rulers and various stakeholders in the mining institute come.”

Emphasising the importance of the university, he added, “I feel that this bill is another opportunity for us to have a university of mines where Nigerians and Nigerian localities are blessed with minerals. And if God has blessed us with mineral resources, it becomes our duty to deepen our knowledge in the area of where we are gifted so that the exploration, exploitation, and mining of minerals will be done by Nigerians themselves.”

After the debate, the Senate President called for a vote, which was supported by the majority of senators. In his remarks, Mr. Akpabio said, “I congratulate all Nigerians. Indeed we now have a mining university, and then we will now focus on mining. Mining is a major revenue source. This Senate is taking the right direction.”

Following its approval in the Senate, the bill will be forwarded to the House of Representatives for concurrence.