Bill to Establish Federal College of Aviation Technology in Ilara Remo, Ogun State Passes Second Reading

By Iyojo Ameh

The Nigerian Senate has approved the advancement of a Bill to create the Federal College of Aviation Technology in Ilara Remo, Ogun State, sponsored by Sen. Olugbenga Daniel, titled “Federal College of Aviation Technology, Ilara Remo, Ogun (Establishment) Bill, 2023,” on the floor of Senate.

Sen. Daniel, highlighted the core objective of the Bill as the transformation of an existing Federal Technical College into a comprehensive Federal College of Aviation Technology.

This evolution intends to provide extensive full-time courses encompassing various specialized fields within the aviation industry and manage the overall administration of the institution.

“Aviation technology has been pivotal in shaping the aviation sector, from its inception to its current state,” Senator Daniel expressed during the plenary session.

He underscored Nigeria’s remarkable advancements in aviation technology, emphasizing the country’s progress in infrastructure, technological innovations, and aircraft maintenance and repair.

However, Sen. Daniel pointed out persistent challenges in the industry, including the necessity for sustained investment in infrastructure development, bolstering safety measures, and fostering research and innovation in aviation technology.

Echoing support for the bill, Sen. Titus Zam emphasized the urgency of establishing additional aviation technology schools. He highlighted the inadequacy of the lone aviation school in Zaria to cater to Nigeria’s extensive air travel demands.

“In a country as vast as Nigeria, with a burgeoning air travel sector, a single aviation school may prove insufficient. Establishing another in the southwest would bridge this gap,” Sen. Zam emphasized.

Following deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund. The committee has been tasked with conducting further evaluation and reporting back within four weeks for subsequent consideration and analysis.