The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed into law a bill establishing the pioneer Federal STEAM Polytechnic in Tombia Rivers State, in concurrence with the House of Representatives version.
STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. This model of education is the first in the annals of tertiary education in the country and will be situated in Tombia, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The bill was listed for concurrence by the Senate leader, Senator Gobir Ibrahim Abdullahi representing Sokoto East Senatorial district and was concurred in line with legislative rules.
The bill which was sponsored by Farah Dagogo, a member representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives was earlier passed into law in the lower Chamber.
The sponsor of the bill had informed the House during legislative debate, that STEAM education would equip students with competencies that will enable them overcome personal challenges.
He said graduates of the Polytechnic will be technically qualified in various fields of training, adding, it is different from the usual academic training.
He said: “The idea of STEAM brings together five major disciplines that create an inclusive interconnectivity in the learning environment and this encourages active participation and collaboration of all in problem-solving.”
The concurrence version of the bill is expected to be sent to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.