Nigeria, Oct. 16 -- The Senate has passed a bill seeking to provide a legal framework for the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi (FUTIA), Akwa Ibom State, five years after it was established.

The bill, sponsored by Ekong Sampson, senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, was passed on Thursday after consideration of its provisions.

Samuel Udoma, Mr Sampson's media aide, announced the development in a Facebook post on Thursday, describing the legislation as a significant step towards securing the university's legal status.

The university's Vice-Chancellor, Leo Daniel, welcomed the passage, describing it as "the best gift of the year" from the National Assembly to the institution.

The development comes as FUTIA...