Senate passes bill to establish new Varsity

THE Senate has approved a bill to establish the Federal University of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology in Jos, Plateau State, as part of efforts to improve disease diagnosis, strengthen healthcare services and reduce the number of Nigerians travelling abroad for medical treatment.

The approval was given during plenary after lawmakers unanimously supported the bill while sitting as the Committee of the Whole under the leadership of Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

The proposed legislation had earlier been passed by the House of Representatives before it was forwarded to the Senate for concurrence.

The new university is expected to focus on training medical laboratory scientists, promoting biomedical research and innovation, and producing skilled professionals who will improve disease detection and support Nigeria’s healthcare system.

It is also expected to help strengthen the country’s ability to respond to public health challenges through better diagnostic services.

While presenting the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele urged lawmakers to support it along with two other bills affecting the health and education sectors.

The Senate later approved the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Federal University of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos (Establishment) Bill, 2026, and the Federal Universities of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The upper chamber also passed for second reading another bill seeking to amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Arugungu, Kebbi State.

Before the Senate’s approval, members of the House of Representatives had argued that the specialised university would improve access to quality healthcare by building stronger local diagnostic services.

They also said the institution could help reduce the growing number of Nigerians seeking medical treatment overseas because of gaps in the country’s healthcare system.