Surv. Gen, Alaafin, Sen Akintunde demand surveying school upgrade to University of Geomatics

 

By Abdullahi Lukman

The Surveyor General of the Federation, Surveyor Abuduganiyu Adebomehin, has thrown his weight behind a bill seeking to upgrade the Federal School of Surveying, Oyo, to a Federal University of Geomatics.

The bill was sponsored by Senator (Dr.) Yunus Abiodun Akintunde, chairman of the senate committee on South West Development.

Lending his support to the bill at a public hearing at the Senate building, Adebomehin described the Federal School of Surveying as the “cradle of surveying in Nigeria” adding that it is about 106 years old.

He emphasized that the school has produced about 70% of Nigeria’s surveyors and argued that upgrading it to a university would be a significant step towards advancing the country’s technological development.

“I want to appeal to the Chairman of the Committee on Tertiary Institution and Tetfund to take a look at the school and see how we can upgrade the school to a university, so that the school can take some courses our people go to study abroad,” Adebomehin said.

Giving highlights of the bill, its sponsor, Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde, reiterated the significance of geomatics in modern technology, including its applications in infrastructure, environment, security, and healthcare.

He noted that the Federal School of Surveying has the human and infrastructural capacity to seamlessly adapt to a new status as a university.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, who represented the royal fathers at the hearing, also lent his support to the bill, arguing that the school’s departments are expandable and have become autonomous.

“Surveying is cardinal to land, and land is fundamental to development,” said Alaafin.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, also expressed full support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of education as a right rather than a privilege.

“We support opportunities for innovation, social development, inclusiveness, and equity for all Nigerians in educational attainment,” he said.

The Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tetfund is currently considering six bills, including the Federal University of Geomatics bill.

If passed, the bill would mark a significant milestone in the development of Nigeria’s education sector and provide new opportunities for students interested in geomatics and related fields.