The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish the South East Institute for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies in Umuobun, Imo State, as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment, stimulate innovation, and drive economic growth across the region.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Hon. (Barr.) Ikeagwuonu Onyinye Ugochinyere (PDP–Imo), who represents Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, described the proposal as a critical intervention that addresses long-standing educational and economic gaps, especially in the South East.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the South East Institute for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies, Umuobun, Imo State, and for Related Matters (HB. 2263),” was introduced on the floor of the House on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
According to Ugochinyere, the Institute will provide structured training in technical and vocational disciplines, while fostering entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in today’s evolving economy. The institution, he said, would equip young Nigerians with practical and in-demand skills across sectors such as agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), renewable energy, fashion, creative industries, and modern manufacturing.
He stressed that the bill is not just about establishing another academic institution, but about creating a sustainable future built on skills and productivity rather than paper qualifications. The proposed legislation, he said, represents a strategic response to the growing concerns of unemployment, insecurity, and economic stagnation.
The bill contains 25 clauses and a schedule, divided into seven key parts. These outline the legal framework for the establishment of the Institute, its governance and administrative structure, academic management systems, staffing, disciplinary measures, financial operations, and interpretative provisions.
The Institute, once established, will operate under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Commission for Colleges of Education. It will be governed by a Council responsible for policy formulation, strategic planning, and institutional performance monitoring. Principal officers to be appointed under the bill include a Rector, Deputy Rector, Registrar, Bursar, and Librarian. An Academic Board will also be constituted to uphold academic standards, award qualifications, and oversee internal quality assurance processes.
Ugochinyere lamented the underrepresentation of the South East in terms of federal technical and vocational education infrastructure, despite the region’s renowned entrepreneurial zeal and talent. He noted that equipping the region’s youth with practical skills through formal vocational training would not only help reduce crime and restiveness but also contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding and community rehabilitation efforts.
He drew parallels with successful international models such as the P-TECH program in the United States, Japan’s KOSEN schools, and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs in countries like China, Germany, Singapore, and South Korea. These global systems, he observed, have successfully merged vocational training with innovation and job creation, positioning their economies for long-term competitiveness.
“Universities alone cannot industrialize a nation,” Ugochinyere noted. “To build a future-ready and competitive workforce, we need technical institutes, innovation hubs, and skills centers that respond to today’s economic realities.”
The lawmaker further explained that the proposed Institute aligns with the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, particularly its emphasis on reforming the social sector, expanding access to inclusive education, and reducing economic inequality. He also pointed out that siting the Institute in Imo State is consistent with the Federal Character principle, which seeks equitable distribution of national projects and opportunities across all regions.
In his concluding remarks, Hon. Ugochinyere appealed to his colleagues to support the second reading and ensure the bill’s swift passage. He described the proposed Institute as a beacon of hope for thousands of Nigerian youths and a timely intervention to reposition the South East as a hub of technical excellence and economic productivity.
“The South East Institute for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies, Umuobun, is not just another institution, it is a strategic and timely response to Nigeria’s pressing demand for job creation, skills development, economic diversification, and national cohesion,” he said.
Following the debate, the bill was referred to the relevant House Committee for further legislative action.