The Nigerian Senate has advanced a major legislative effort to boost agricultural education in the South-East region following the first reading of a bill to establish a Federal College of Agriculture in Ohafia, Abia State.
The proposed legislation, titled the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was formally presented during plenary on Tuesday, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), the bill seeks to amend the Third Schedule of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to officially incorporate the Federal College of Agriculture, Ohafia.
If enacted into law, the bill will establish the statutory legal framework for the institution, significantly expanding access to tertiary agricultural education, cutting edge research, and technical skills development for residents across Abia State and the broader South-East region.
With the successful passage of its first reading, the bill now awaits second reading for further debate on its general principles before being referred to the appropriate Senate committee.
