From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step towards establishing a Federal College of Agriculture in Ohafia, Abia State, following the first reading of a bill sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) during plenary on Tuesday.
The bill, titled Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was presented during plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Sponsored by Senator Kalu, the proposed legislation seeks to amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to provide for the establishment of the Federal College of Agriculture, Ohafia.
Specifically, the bill proposes an amendment to the Third Schedule of the principal Act by inserting the Federal College of Agriculture, Ohafia, as a new entry.
If passed into law, the proposed legislation would provide the legal framework for the establishment of the institution, potentially expanding access to agricultural education, research and skills development in Abia State and the wider South-East region.
The bill, which has now passed its first reading, marks an initial legislative step towards the proposed establishment of the federal agricultural institution in Ohafia.
