A bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Aviation Technology, Ilara Remo, Ogun State, has scaled second reading in the Senate.
The bill titled: “Federal College of Aviation Technology, Ilara Remo, Ogun (Establishment) Bill, 2023, was sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun East), was deliberated on by Senators during plenary.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Senator Daniel, said the bill which was read for the first time on Oct.10, 2023, was targeted at upgrading an existing Federal Technical College, to a full-fledged Federal College of Aviation Technology.
He explained that when approved, the enabling law will empower the college to provide full time courses in various specialisations in the aviation industry.
It will also make provisions for the general administration of the college and for related matters.
The federal lawmaker, further explained that aviation technology encompasses the various technological advancements and innovations that have shaped the field of aviation.
Daniel said, "from the early days of aviation to the present, technology has played a crucial role in improving the safety, efficiency and capabilities of aircraft."
He further explained that aviation technology in Nigeria had witnessed significant growth and development over the years.
According to him, "As the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria has made notable strides in the aviation sector both in terms of infrastructure and technological advancements especially in the areas of airports and infrastructure, navigation and communication Systems, Aircraft Maintenance and repair."
He, however, said that while Nigeria had made significant progress in aviation technology, there were still challenges to address.
He said, "by addressing these challenges, Nigeria can further strengthen its aviation sector, boost economic growth, and promote connectivity both domestically and internationally."
While supporting the bill, Sen. Titus Zam (APC-Benue) said, "I realise that in the whole of Nigeria, there is only one aviation technology school located in Zaria.
"And given the nature of the size of the country and the volume of air travel our economy requires, one single aviation school may not be able to serve aviation needs of the country.
"So, establishing another one in the South-west makes not only economic sense, it also makes both political and air service sense."
In his remarks, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund to report back in four weeks.
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