Reps to substitute budget of former FCEs with new Education Varsities

Lawmakers in the Green Chamber want budget for the Federal Colleges of Education (FCEs) substituted with the new Federal Universities of Education, says the 9th National Assembly upgraded three of such institutions through repeal and enactment in its pursuit to improve the education system

The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Appropriation to substitute the budget for the Federal Colleges of Education (FCEs) with the new Federal Universities of Education recently upgraded to colleges according to the Act of the National Assembly.

It also mandated the Committee to provide adequate funding for all other educational institutions enacted by Parliament, including the National Hydrographic Agency Act 2021.

These resolutions followed the consideration of a motion of Urgent National Public Importance, moved by Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) at plenary.

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Moving the motion, Gagdi said the 9th National Assembly, in its pursuit to improve the education system in Nigeria, upgraded three Federal Colleges of Education through repeal and enactment as Federal Universities of Education and transmitted the same to the President for assent.

The contentious bills are the Federal University of Education, Pankshin (Establishment) Bill, 2021; Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo (Establishment) Bill, 2021; and Federal University of Education Kontagora (Establishment) Bill, 2021 were assented to by the President and returned to the National Assembly for further action.

According to the lawmaker, “the House notes that the three Acts were duly enrolled at the Supreme Court and gazetted at the Federal Government Printer, and copies circulated to all relevant MDAs including the Ministry of Education for implementation.

Worried that despite complying with all provisions of law, the Ministry of Education in total disregard to the President and the National Assembly, went ahead and submitted the 2023 Budget for the repealed Federal Colleges of Education and refused to recognise the Federal Universities of Education, which is tantamount to gross misconduct.

Aware that the Ministry of Education made budgetary provisions for a new Federal University of Health Sciences Azare, Bauchi State without legal backing.”