Monday October 19, 2026
By thenewsdesk.ng
The Senate has passed a bill seeking to provide a legal framework for the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, FUTIA, Akwa Ibom State, five years after it was established.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, was passed on Thursday after consideration of its provisions.
Samuel Udoma, Senator Sampson’s media aide, announced the development in a Facebook post on Thursday, describing the legislation as a significant step towards securing the university’s legal status.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Leo Daniel, welcomed the passage, describing it as “the best gift of the year” from the National Assembly to the institution.
The development comes as FUTIA expands its academic offerings, having recently secured approval from the National Universities Commission, NUC to commence 12 additional degree programmes from the 2026/2027 academic session.
FUTIA was among the federal tertiary institutions approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2021. However, the university was established without an Act of Parliament.
Senator Sampson sponsored the bill to address the gap and provide the institution with legal backing for its administration and operations.
According to the university, the legislation will strengthen its institutional foundation and support its mandate to advance technology-driven education, research, innovation and sustainable development.
The bill’s passage followed legislative consideration at the National Assembly, including a public hearing at which stakeholders submitted memoranda in support of the proposed legislation.