The 10th House of Representatives (Reps) has passed for second reading bills seeking to establish not less than 47 new federal universities in various states of the federation in its first six months.

The House has also passed for second reading not less than 56 bills to establish Federal Medical Centres (FMC) in various parts of the country.

The Nation’s findings revealed that the bills are part of about 962 bills which were passed by the House for first reading in the last six months since its inauguration.

The House Is also considering various bills to establish about 32 Federal Colleges of Education, 11 Federal Colleges of Agriculture and Five Federal Polytechnics in addition to the already existing institutions.

Currently, there are 45 Federal Universities, 22 Federal Medical centres, 27 Federal Colleges of Education and 40 Polytechnics across the country.

The Nation discovered that some of the bills which were passed during the 9th Assembly, but either did not get concurrence. The Senate or not signed by the President have either been reconsidered and passed or are. Currently awaiting consideration by the House.

Several others are awaiting a debate on the general principles and passage for a second reading when the House resumes from its Christmas break.

The universities being considered include conventional universities, Universities of Science and Technology, Universities of Agriculture, Universities of Medical Science, Universities of Sport, and Aviation among others.

In addition to these institutions, the House is considering various bills to establish colleges of vocational and skill acquisition, colleges of entrepreneurial studies, and Cancer research centres among others.

A study of the House order paper listing the institutions and other bills under consideration revealed that Lagos State for example has requested for the establishment of three new Federal Medical Centres in addition to the already existing one.

While addressing members of the House before embarking on the Christmas break, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen disclosed that the House received and considered nine hundred and sixty-two (962) bills, five hundred (500) Motions, and one hundred and fifty-three (153) petitions in six months.

The Speaker said that of these numbers, one hundred and Twenty (120) bills have passed the Second Reading stage and are currently undergoing further review and refinement to address some of the concerns raised during the debates.

He said further that another one hundred and twenty-two (120) bills have been referred to committees for in-depth analysis.

He said: “We have also successfully passed many other bills, which have been transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.

“Notable among these bills are the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Federal Audit Service Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Oath Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023.

“Other critical bills passed by the House include the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill, 2023, Federal Fire and Rescue Service Bill, 2023, Administration of Criminal Justice Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023, Niger Delta Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Nigerian Medical Research Council (Establishment) Bill, 2023, Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2023 and more recently, the South East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023.

“The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2023 that we passed was assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 23rd November, 2023.

“It repealed the 1964 legislation and replaced it with a more contemporary legislation that empowers the Defence Corporation to manufacture, store and dispose of ordinance. All these bills are intended to provide immediate relief and long-term solutions to the challenges that have plagued our society.

“Through these bills, we aim to empower our citizens, enhance social justice, promote economic growth, and promote peace and security.” (The Nation)

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