Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges and Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District Simon Bako Lalong has sponsored a Bill to upgrade the Plateau College of Agriculture Garkawa, located in Mikang Local Government into a Federal University of Agriculture.
The Bill which passed first reading was presented at the floor of the Senate Thursday 27th March 2025.
During the plenary presided over by Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau, the Bill entitled “Federal Universities of Agriculture Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 (SB 768) was read by the Clerk of the Senate.
Senator Lalong while speaking on the Bill said he is seeking the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture Garkawa from the current College of Agriculture because of the agricultural potentials that need to be harnessed in Plateau State and Nigeria at large.
He said as Chairman of Senate Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges, he has clearly affirmed and confirmed the need for the country to put more attention in agricultural development through research and production in order to address food security and export.
According to him, the time has come for the nation to use its vast agricultural potentials towards providing jobs and employment to its teeming youths.
He said the Plateau College of Agriculture Garkawa is suitably located in his domain, Plateau South Senatorial District, an agriculturally viable area which offers a good environment for research and practical training of requisite manpower that will assist Nigeria make progress.
Senator Lalong recalled that as Governor of Plateau State, his administration did a lot to revive the College and put it on the right track through injection of manpower and funding.
He is optimistic that with the upgrade of the College to a University of Agriculture, the capacity of the institution will be boosted to do more and not only generate Agricultural training and production, but also provide a base for accelerating the processing of farm produce.
