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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish the Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma Federal University of Agriculture and Solid Minerals in Jalingo, Taraba State, in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity in two critical sectors.
The bill scaled second reading during plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, following a debate led by Sadiq Tafida, who represents Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency.
Leading the debate, Tafida said the proposed university is designed to address long-standing gaps in manpower development, research, and innovation in agriculture and the solid minerals sector.
“This proposed institution is not merely an addition to the number of universities in Nigeria; it is a strategic intervention aimed at addressing critical gaps in our nation’s agricultural productivity, solid minerals development, and human capital advancement,” he said.
He noted that despite Nigeria’s vast natural endowments, the country continues to grapple with food insecurity, unemployment, and the underutilisation of its mineral resources.
“Nigeria is blessed with vast arable land and abundant solid mineral resources, yet we continue to grapple with food insecurity, unemployment, and underutilisation of our mineral wealth. Taraba State, in particular, is richly endowed with fertile land suitable for diverse agricultural activities and possesses significant deposits of solid minerals. However, the absence of a specialised federal institution dedicated to these sectors has limited the full harnessing of these resources,” he added.
According to the lawmaker, the university will prioritise research, innovation, and skills development across agriculture, mining, and related disciplines.
He said the institution would focus on advanced agricultural research, sustainable exploitation and management of solid minerals, training of skilled manpower, and promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance among Nigerian youths.
Tafida urged his colleagues to support the bill, stressing the enduring importance of agriculture to Nigeria’s economy and the untapped potential of the mining sector.
“It remains a major employer of labour and a key contributor to Gross Domestic Product. Yet, productivity remains low due to outdated farming techniques, inadequate research, and poor extension services. Similarly, the solid minerals sector, which has the potential to diversify our economy away from oil dependency, remains largely untapped,” he said.
He added that the university would serve as a centre of excellence where modern techniques in agriculture and mining would be developed and applied, while also fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government.
Beyond academics, Tafida highlighted the broader economic benefits of the institution, including job creation, stimulation of local economic activities in Jalingo and its environs, reduction in youth unemployment, and promotion of national integration.
He also described the naming of the institution after General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma as a fitting tribute to a distinguished Nigerian known for his contributions to national development, peace, and philanthropy.
The lawmaker further argued that the proposal aligns with the Federal Government’s policy on economic diversification, food security, and sustainable development, as well as ongoing efforts to expand access to specialised tertiary education.
Addressing concerns about funding, Tafida maintained that the institution’s unique mandate justifies the investment.
“It is important to note that the proposed university has a unique mandate that integrates agriculture with solid minerals, a combination that is both innovative and necessary for Nigeria’s development trajectory,” he added.
The bill is part of broader legislative efforts to expand access to higher education and address regional imbalances, while also positioning universities as hubs for research, innovation, and economic growth.