House Approves Federal Fisheries, Marine Engineering College Bill

The House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking to establish the Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering in Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The bill was approved at plenary after the House considered and adopted the report of the Committee on Ocean and Fisheries, presented by its Chairman, Hon. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi.

The proposed legislation amends the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to create the specialised institution.

Presenting the report, Amadi recalled that the House debated the bill’s general principles on May 7, 2025, before referring it to the committee for further legislative work.

He said the committee conducted a public hearing on July 14, 2025, where maritime, education and regional stakeholders endorsed the proposal.

According to the committee, the college is intended to provide specialised training in fisheries management, aquaculture and marine engineering to support the development of Nigeria’s blue economy, while addressing manpower shortages in the maritime sector and expanding access to technical and vocational education in the Niger Delta.

Amadi explained that the bill consists of three clauses, with the key provision inserting the proposed institution into the third schedule of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act.

He said the amendment would provide the statutory recognition required for the college to operate as a federal institution, qualify for federal funding and carry out its mandate in fisheries technology and marine engineering.

Following consideration of the committee’s recommendations, the House adopted the report and passed the bill.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji