The bill to empower the College of Education (COE), Akwanga to grant degree certificates has scaled through second reading at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly
The legislation entitled, “A Bill for a Law to Repeal and Re-Enact the Law Establishing the Nasarawa State College of Education, Akwanga, and for Connected Purposes”scaled second reading during plenary in Lafia on Monday.
Announcing the passage, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Dr. Danladi Jatau, noted that granting degree-awarding powers to the institution would significantly enhance academic standards and broaden access to higher education across the state.
Following the debate, the Speaker referred the bill to the House Committee on Education, mandating it to conduct further legislative work and report back to the House on August 4, 2026.
Earlier, Leading the debate, House Majority Leader Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara urged his colleagues to support the measure.
He emphasised that, beyond awarding degrees, the transition would drive job creation and elevate the overall quality of education in the state.
Speaking, Rt. Hon. Abel Bala, Hon. Solomon Akwashiki, Hon. Daniel Ogazi, among others, gave strong support for the bill.
In their separate contributions, the lawmakers highlighted that the bill would provide state residents with greater opportunities to pursue higher qualifications locally.
Hon. Ogazi, however cautioned that upgrading the institution must be paired with recruiting highly qualified, standard lecturers to ensure academic excellence is maintained once the bill is signed into law.
