The House of Representatives has passed a bill sponsored by Salman Idris to provide for the establishment of a Federal College of Horticulture in Iyara, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The proposed institution is expected to expand access to specialised agricultural education and equip students with practical knowledge in horticulture and related fields.
Idris, who represents Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, sponsored the bill to amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to provide a legal framework for the proposed college.
The passage marks a legislative step towards establishing the institution, which could support agricultural training, research and skills development in Kogi State and beyond.
Horticulture involves the cultivation and management of fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants and other crops. The sector plays an important role in food production, nutrition, agribusiness and employment.
A specialised college could provide students with training in crop production, nursery management, plant propagation, post-harvest handling and other areas relevant to modern agriculture.
Such training can also help farmers and aspiring agripreneurs adopt improved production methods, reduce losses and develop commercially viable agricultural businesses.
For young people interested in agriculture, the proposed institution could create opportunities to acquire practical skills that support self-employment and participation in the agricultural value chain.
The proposed college may also contribute to research and knowledge-sharing aimed at improving horticultural production, although its eventual programmes and operational arrangements will depend on the institution’s establishment and implementation plans.
The proposed location in Iyara could bring educational and economic opportunities to the host community and neighbouring areas if the institution becomes operational.
Beyond providing access to specialised education, a federal college could generate employment opportunities and stimulate demand for accommodation, transportation, food services and other local businesses.
Its agricultural focus could also strengthen connections between education, farming communities and agribusiness operators.
However, the scale of these benefits will depend on funding, infrastructure, staffing and the quality of the programmes eventually offered.
Although the House of Representatives has passed the bill, the proposed college cannot yet be regarded as legally established.
The bill must proceed through the remaining legislative process, including Senate concurrence, before being presented to the President for assent, where required.
The next stages will determine whether the proposal becomes law and provides the legal basis for establishing the institution.
For Iyara and the wider Kogi agricultural sector, the bill represents a proposed investment in specialised education. Its long-term impact will depend on whether the legislative process is completed and the college receives the resources needed to operate effectively.