A bill proposing the establishment of the Federal University of Science, Deba in Gombe State has gained momentum in the Nigerian Senate, with lawmakers highlighting its potential to accelerate petroleum exploration and development in the Northeast, particularly in Bauchi and Gombe States.
The bill, which had its first and second reading on the floor of the Senate, is designed to create a specialized institution that will provide advanced training in science, technology, and petroleum-related fields. If passed, the university is expected to play a key role in Nigeria’s strategy to maximize its oil and gas resources through localized capacity building.
During the Senate debate, the bill’s sponsor, Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), emphasized the critical role the proposed university will play in developing human capital for Nigeria’s growing energy needs.
“This university will produce the required manpower for the oil prospects of Gombe and Bauchi States, where our teaming graduates will take ownership of the industry,” he said.
A major highlight of the proposed university is the inclusion of a Faculty of Petroleum and Petrochemical Sciences and Engineering, aimed at equipping students with hands-on skills and industry-ready knowledge tailored to the needs of the Nigerian petroleum sector.
Agro Climate News reports that the bill comes at a time when the Kolmani Oil Field, located on the border between Bauchi and Gombe, has become a focus of national attention. With oil exploration already underway in the region, stakeholders say the university will provide critical local expertise to support operations and innovation in oil and gas production.
Beyond energy, the university is expected to address long-standing educational gaps in the Northeast — a region that has lagged in higher education access due to years of insecurity and infrastructural neglect.
“Mr president, distinguished colleagues, establishing this university will revitalize the educational landscape of the region and provide our youth with an opportunity to be part of Nigeria’s scientific and industrial transformation,” the senator noted.
The university also aims to nurture graduates with ethical, entrepreneurial, and environmentally responsible mindsets — preparing them for nation-building roles beyond the oil sector.
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, who presided over the plenary described the bill as people-oriented and, hence, should be supported by all.
In accordance with Order 76(3) of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended), the bill includes the financial framework for the institution’s establishment. It is now awaiting further legislative scrutiny and debate in subsequent sittings.
If passed and implemented, the Federal University of Science, Deba is expected to serve as a model for specialized education in Nigeria, aligning academic development with national priorities in energy, sustainability, and economic growth.
