The House of Representatives has taken a significant legislative step towards establishing a new federal university in Taraba State, with a bill proposing the institution scale second reading during plenary on Wednesday.

The proposed Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma Federal University of Agriculture and Solid Minerals, to be sited in Jalingo, advanced following a debate presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. Sadiq Tafida, who represents Jalingo, Yorro, and Zing Federal Constituency, led the debate and made the case for the institution's strategic relevance to Nigeria's development agenda.

Tafida argued that the bill goes beyond expanding university numbers, framing it as a targeted response to structural weaknesses in two critical sectors. "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 stated.

The lawmaker drew attention to the disconnect between Nigeria's resource endowments and its economic outcomes. "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.

Tafida outlined the university's mandate as covering advanced agricultural research and innovation, sustainable exploitation and management of solid minerals, skilled manpower training, and promoting entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths. He also cited projected economic benefits, including job creation for academic and non academic staff, stimulation of economic activity in Jalingo, and attraction of students from across the federation.

On the choice of name, Tafida noted that "naming the institution after General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma is a fitting tribute to a distinguished Nigerian who has contributed immensely to national development, peace, and philanthropy."

He further positioned the bill within existing federal policy, disclosing that it "is in line with the Federal Government's policy on economic diversification, food security, and sustainable development.