Assembly Moves To Relocate Imo State Polytechnic
Assembly Moves To Relocate Imo State Polytechnic
A Bill to Repeal The Imo State Polytechnic Law No 11 of 2020 on Thursday September 25, 2025 scaled through second reading at the state legislature.
The bill is titled “Imo State Polytechnic (Amendment) Law No 11 of 2020 And To Further Amend Imo State Polytechnic (Establishment) Law No.15 of 2012 And other Matters Related thereto”.
Leading the debate during plenary, the Majority Leader and member for Owerri-West Constituency, Kanayo Onyemaechi, explained that the main focus of the bill is that the Imo State Polytechnic cannot remain in an area that already hosts another higher institution.
He said the bill seeks to reposition the Imo State Polytechnic in line with fairness and balance.
Onyemaechi further explained that the law, as currently structured, has the polytechnic situated at Omuma in Oru-East Local Government Area, which is an area that already hosts another higher institution.
According to him, the concentration of the two institutions of higher learning in one community in one local government area has created imbalance in the distribution of educational infrastructure.
He added that the bill, therefore, seeks to address this imbalance by ensuring that institutions of higher learning are evenly spread for the benefit Imo citizens.
Onyemaechi further explained that the bill recommends relocating the Imo State Polytechnic to Awo-Omama in the same Oru-East Local Government Area, to ensure the constituency benefits from the academic and socio-economic opportunities associated with hosting a higher institution.
He noted that de-congesting Omuma, where it is currently situated, and relocating it to Awo-Omama, will go a long way to expand development, thereby promoting inclusiveness.
In addition, he stated that the bill provides for the proper recognition and renaming of the polytechnic in honour of Dr Benjamin Uzoukwu Nzeribe, thereby distinguishing it from other higher Institutions and for the preservation of the legacy of academic excellence associated with the polytechnic.
Nine lawmakers supported the bill. They are Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre); Clinton Amadi (Owerri Municipal); Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, (Nwangele); Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli) and Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala Mbano).
Others are Johnleoba Iheoha (Ikeduru); Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba (Isu); Okey Ernest Udeze (Ideato-North) and Henry Agbasonu (Ezinihitte Mbaise).
Following the support for the bill, the Speaker, Chike Olemgbe, who presided announced it has scaled through second reading.
Olemgbe thereafter assigned it to the House Committee on Education, directing it to submit their report on 30 September 2025.
