Senate: A Bill To Amend Federal Universities of Agriculture, Darazo Scales Second Reading
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) A bill to amend the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act has successfully scaled through its second reading in the Senate. This amendment aims to provide for the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture, Darazo, in Bauchi State ¹.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Abdul Ningi, was read for the second time ers. Ningi emphasized the need for an agricultural education, training, and research institution in the North East, highlighting the region’s significant landmass and populationThe bill, sponsored by Senator Abdul Ningi, was read for the second time on the Senate floor on March 11, 2025, and received overwhelming support from lawmakers. Ningi emphasized the need for an agricultural education, training, and research institution in the North East, highlighting the region’s significant landmass and population ¹.
The proposed university aims to enhance agricultural research and development, provide holistic development of agricultural education, knowledge, skills, and extension services, and train agriculturalists and farmers in the North East and Nigeria as a whole ¹.
Recall that the Bill was read for the First Time in the Hallowed Chamber on Tuesday, 15th October, 2024.
However, leading the debate, at the plenary on Tuesday Ningi said, “Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, I am delighted to be permitted to lead the debate on a Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act, to provide for the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture Darazo, Bauchi State.
“The Bill seeks to address the need for agricultural, education, training and research institution not only for Bauchi State, but for the entire North East for its significant landmass and population.
“The mandate of the University is to enhance agricultural research and development not only in the North East, but the entire country. Agriculture and its allied sectors are unquestionably the largest livelihood provider especially in the rural areas and can contribute significantly to the GDP,” he said.
Ningi noted that the demand for agricultural product is rising rapidly with increase in
population and per capital income. As a result, he said, there is growing demand for
agricultural products from the industrial sector.
“The Federal University of Agriculture Darazo when established will provide for the holistic development of agricultural education, knowledge, skills and extension services.
“Mr. President and Distinguished Colleagues You may be aware that Darazo and the entire Bauchi State are purely agriculturalists. Agriculture cannot be practiced in modern time using the traditional methods without scientific knowledge and skills that will guide the entire farming process to increase agricultural yields and quality. The significance of agriculture in facilitating economic development of the country cannot be overemphasized,” he stated.
Ningi explained that the objectives of this Bill among others are to- establish Federal University of Agriculture Darazo, to train agriculturalists and farmers in the North East and Nigeria as a whole; to serve as institution for advanced agricultural research in all fields of agriculture and animal husbandry; to produce qualified Nigerians to offer services to farmers in response to increasing demands for food and other means of livelihood which agriculture will provide; to develop realistic and practically oriented curriculum to train qualified persons to acquire degrees in various fields of agricultural research, practice, science and technology; and to
provide an avenue for internship, teaching practice, refresher courses and orientation programs for students in related tertiary institutions, local farmers, agricultural extension, desk liaison and program officers in related MDAs and the private sector.
Meanwhile, the Senate supported in the debate and the bill was passed in the senate for the second reading and was referred to appropriate committee for further legislative work.
