Senate Stresses Sustainable Funding for Proposed Bayelsa Science University

The Senate has raised concerns over the long-term funding, infrastructure and administrative capacity of the proposed Federal University of Science and Technology, Korokorosei, Bayelsa State, insisting that expanding access to higher education must be matched by sustainable financing and academic excellence.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Ibrahim Mustapha, stated this at a public hearing on the bill seeking to establish the institution in Korokorosei, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. He said new universities must be adequately funded and equipped to deliver quality education and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Akpabio noted that Nigeria needed institutions capable of translating research into industrial production, reducing dependence on imported technologies and equipping young people with the skills required to compete globally.

He described human potential as the Niger Delta’s greatest resource, expressing optimism that the proposed university could drive research and innovation in cleaner energy, environmental protection, agriculture and fisheries while developing practical solutions to the challenges facing riverine communities.

However, he cautioned that increasing the number of universities should not be the sole objective of higher education policy, stressing that access must be supported by quality infrastructure, adequate funding, high academic standards and effective administration.

He urged stakeholders to examine the proposed legislation critically and offer recommendations that would assist the National Assembly in making an informed decision in the national interest.

The public hearing was organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, chaired by Senator Muntari Dandutse, representing Katsina South.

Meanwhile, the bill’s sponsor, Senator Benson Friday Konbowei, representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, called for support for the proposed institution, arguing that it would expand access to university education and address the shortage of skilled manpower in science, technology and other specialised fields.

Konbowei cited statistics from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which showed that of the 2,007,312 candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, only 1,009,044 secured admission into tertiary institutions.

He questioned the fate of candidates who could not secure admission, describing the figures as evidence of the need to expand Nigeria’s higher education capacity.

“The question is: Where do we keep the 50 per cent left?” he asked, urging senators to support the proposed legislation.

According to him, the university would create opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire specialised knowledge and technical skills, promote economic empowerment and self-reliance, and help address unemployment and related social challenges.

The senator said locating the institution in Korokorosei would particularly benefit Southern Ijaw and neighbouring communities, where access to educational opportunities remains limited.

He stressed, however, that the university would serve qualified candidates from across Nigeria rather than restrict admission to indigenes of Bayelsa State.

The bill, titled A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal University of Science and Technology, Korokorosei, Bayelsa State (SB. 483), was first read in the Senate on July 23, 2024, and passed for second reading on December 10, 2024.

Speaking earlier, Dandutse said the public hearing provided an inclusive platform for stakeholders to contribute to the proposed legislation.

He explained that the committee would scrutinise the institution’s proposed governance structure, funding arrangements, academic focus, staffing requirements, infrastructure needs and compliance with existing laws governing tertiary education.

He added that the committee would pay particular attention to the university’s long-term viability to ensure that its establishment, if approved, would deliver meaningful benefits to students and the country.

Also speaking, Timidi Wariowei, technical adviser to Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, said existing facilities in Korokorosei could support the proposed university.

He listed a secondary school with several buildings, a health facility, hotels and a landing jetty among the infrastructure available in the riverine community.

Wariowei said road construction towards the community was ongoing, expressing optimism that improved accessibility would support the development of the institution.

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He added that the Bayelsa State Government had established technical colleges across its eight local government areas to promote practical skills in science and technology.

According to him, the proposed university would provide graduates of the technical colleges with opportunities to pursue further education, advanced training and specialised knowledge.