Legislature
Bamidele Sponsors Bills to Expand Medical College Powers, Strengthen NSIB Autonomy
A bill seeking to empower the National Postgraduate Medical College to award Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in clinical medicine, dentistry, and related fields has passed second reading in the Senate.
The upper chamber also moved to amend the Act establishing the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to ensure that the agency enjoys institutional independence, operational autonomy, technical capacity, and administrative flexibility.
The amendment bills, sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, were considered during plenary at the Senate Chamber, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Leading the debate, Bamidele explained that the proposed amendment would empower the college to establish academic programmes and award Ph.D. degrees in clinical medicine, dentistry, and related disciplines.
He added that the proposed expansion represents an important step towards strengthening the relationship between specialist medical training, clinical research, and advanced academic development.
Bamidele explained that the second and most significant provision involves amending Section 2 to expand the college’s mandate. In addition to conducting professional postgraduate examinations, the college would be empowered to establish academic programmes and award Ph.D. degrees in clinical medicine, dentistry, and related disciplines.
“This proposed expansion represents an important step towards strengthening the relationship between specialist medical training, clinical research, and advanced academic development,” he stated.
“It will create a statutory basis for the College to contribute more directly to the development of research capacity, clinical scholarship, and specialised knowledge within the medical profession.”
Bamidele further explained to lawmakers that the amendment was necessary to match the college’s expanded mandate with clear academic responsibilities.
He noted that the bill empowers the Senate to develop and oversee doctoral programmes under the accreditation and regulation of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
On the amendment of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau Act, Bamidele said the proposed changes were aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to investigate transportation accidents and incidents across the relevant modes of transport.
He added that the amendment would improve the quality and credibility of safety investigations and ensure that lessons arising from such investigations translate into practical preventive measures.
Bamidele further stated that the amendment sought to remove certain ministerial approval and recommendation requirements in the appointment and administrative processes of the bureau.
While the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Olalere Oyewunmi, seconded the amendment concerning the NSIB, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno, seconded the amendment on the National Postgraduate Medical College.
After exhaustive debate, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, passed both bills for a second reading.
The amendment on the National Postgraduate Medical College was referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.
Akpabio also directed the Senate Committee on Aviation to drive the process of amending the Act establishing the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.