Bill to establish Fed college of entrepreneurship,skills acquisition in Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North ,Abia state passes 2nd reading in House of Representatives

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State, as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and promote economic self-reliance.

Leading the debate on the bill, its sponsor, Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe, emphasized the urgency of equipping Nigerian youths with practical skills to address the nation’s rising unemployment crisis.

He noted that the traditional focus on white-collar jobs had left many graduates struggling to find employment, making vocational and entrepreneurial education a necessary alternative.

“Nigeria faces a rising youth unemployment crisis, exacerbated by an overdependence on white-collar jobs. To address this, we must begin to prioritize entrepreneurial education and vocational training to equip our youth with practical skills required for self-reliance and job creation,” Onwusibe stated.

According to him, Ntigha’s strategic location, with its proximity to key commercial centers in the Southeast, makes it an ideal site for such an institution.

The proposed college will offer specialized training in critical areas such as agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and digital innovation—aligning with the federal government’s broader economic diversification strategy.

Hon. Onwusibe argued that similar institutions in other countries had significantly contributed to economic transformation, and Nigeria must follow suit to enhance productivity, reduce poverty, and strengthen local industries.

“This initiative will not only empower young people but also boost local industries, reduce poverty, and enhance national productivity,” he said. “We cannot afford to be left behind in the global drive for entrepreneurship and skills acquisition.”

The bill is titled A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State, to Provide Full-time Courses, Teaching Instruction and Training in Technology, Applied Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities and Management; and for Related Matters (HB.1165).

Members of the House are expected to further deliberate on the bill’s provisions before a final decision is made.

If passed, the establishment of the college could mark a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape and reducing the country’s high unemployment rate.