The House of Representatives has moved forward with a bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State.
The proposed legislation passed its second reading during Tuesday’s plenary session, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abass.
The bill, 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,” aims to address Nigeria’s growing youth unemployment by fostering practical skills development and entrepreneurship.
Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe, the bill’s sponsor, emphasized the urgency of promoting vocational education to reduce reliance on white-collar jobs.
He argued that establishing the institution would equip young Nigerians with essential skills for self-employment and job creation.
He also highlighted Ntigha’s strategic location, which offers easy access to key commercial hubs in the Southeast, making it an ideal setting for the proposed college.
The institution, he explained, would specialize in areas such as agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and digital innovation, aligning with Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy.
“This initiative will not only empower our youth but also strengthen local industries, reduce poverty, and enhance national productivity,” Onwusibe stated.
“Across the world, similar institutions have played crucial roles in economic transformation, and Nigeria must follow suit.”
Urging his colleagues to back the bill, he described the proposed college as a catalyst for economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development.
If passed into law, the institution would play a significant role in preparing young Nigerians for a rapidly evolving job market while boosting entrepreneurship in the country.
