The Nigerian Senate paused a legislative proposal on Tuesday that aimed to shift a federal polytechnic to Nasarawa Eggon in Nasarawa State. According to Punch, Senate President Godswill Akpabio told the bill's sponsor, Senator Danladi, to withdraw the current draft and introduce new legislation to create a distinct institution in that area. This decision occurred during the second reading of the Federal Polytechnics Act Amendment Bill 2026.
Senator Danladi introduced the measure to move the institution to the Nasarawa North Senatorial District. He argued that the elevation of the polytechnic in Nasarawa West to university status left his district lacking a federal higher education facility. Danladi stated that the bill sought to move the upgraded polytechnic to Nasarawa Eggon, noting that his district currently had no such federal body.
Akpabio contended that the draft could cause issues because the target institution had gained university status. He cautioned that moving it under the amendment would essentially shift the university, potentially angering the local community. The Senate President used an analogy, comparing the scenario to upgrading a primary school to a secondary school, where the original primary school ceases to exist as a separate entity for relocation.
Akpabio suggested that the upgraded institution stay in its current location while a new bill creates a Federal Polytechnic in Nasarawa Eggon. He expressed confidence that the Senate and President Bola Tinubu would back the new proposal if handled correctly. He noted that the new body would replace the old Federal Polytechnic, which no longer exists in its original form due to the upgrade.
Senator Danladi accepted the guidance and thanked the Senate President for the explanation. The bill was then paused to let the sponsor draft a new proposal. If approved, the new institution would broaden technical and vocational education access in Nasarawa North, filling the gap in federal higher education facilities in that region.