Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has said that while the current administration has recorded notable achievements in its two years in office, much more needs to be done to accelerate Nigeria’s development.
Speaking on Thursday during his vote of thanks at a joint session of the National Assembly following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address, the Speaker declared, “It is not yet Uhuru,” emphasising the need for renewed efforts, particularly in critical sectors.
Abbas specifically urged the President to prioritise a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s power sector to ensure it operates at full capacity.
He also informed the President of the National Assembly’s commitment to delivering a people-oriented Constitution by December 2025, including the inclusion of a constitutional provision for 35 percent affirmative action to promote gender equality in governance.
He said, “While we celebrate our successes, we remain acutely aware that it is not yet Uhuru. As we enter the second half of our term, our determination is unequivocal: to expedite and finalise the constitutional amendment process by December 2025. Some of our priorities include special reserved seats for women, formal constitutional roles for traditional rulers, and legal backing for a 35% affirmative-action gender policy.
“We appeal to the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Progressive Governors’ Forum to advocate for these essential reforms at the state level. Mr President, I would be remiss in my responsibility to you if I concluded my brief remarks without also offering some useful recommendations on the way forward.
“You have demonstrated remarkable resolve in removing the fuel subsidy and allowing the Naira to float. Now, we require an equally decisive intervention in our power sector. While progress is evident, it is time to ‘wave your magic wand’ once more: to break the cycle of underperformance by shifting from an over-reliance on thermal and hydroelectricity to a diversified energy mix.
“We must embrace renewable and clean energy sources, such as solar, wind, and even nuclear, to ensure a reliable and sustainable national grid. If anyone can do this, Mr. President, IT IS YOU”
He said developing the solid minerals sector is essential for Nigeria’s economic diversification, saying “while we have some existing geological data, it lacks the precision and quality needed to support large-scale exploration.
“To complement executive actions, the House of Representatives will immediately commence an urgent review of the 2007 Mining Act to allow subnational entities to operate within the profitable limits of the law while enhancing oversight and mitigating security risks. If pursued with discipline and clarity, these reforms will position solid minerals as a strategic pillar of our national economy.
Speaker Abbas said the President’s visit to the National Assembly reaffirmed the vitality and resilience of the nation’s democratic institutions.
He recalled with reverence the historic events of June 12, 1993, a day which he said Nigerians, across all divides, united to affirm their collective will for democratic governance, while saluting the President for being a frontline crusader in the NADECO pro-democracy struggle
He said, “You are one of the patriots who laboured so that democracy might thrive, and now you lead our nation under the banner of Renewed Hope. Your story itself is that of the triumph of democracy.
“Over the past twenty-six years, the National Assembly has served as the guardian of our democratic institutions: in 2006, we rejected the third-term bid; in 2010, we invoked the doctrine of necessity to ensure uninterrupted governance; and we have championed constitutional and electoral reforms.”
Speaker Abbas said further that “Since June 2023, under President Tinubu’s stewardship and the 10th National Assembly, we have launched an eight‑point Legislative Agenda fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda. Within two years, we have reviewed 2,263 bills. Of these, 65.3% have passed Second Reading, while 186 have been successfully passed. A total of 51 bills have received presidential assent, marking an unprecedented milestone for any President in his first two years. Congratulations on that feat, Mr. President.
“Our legislative efforts have yielded measurable progress on multiple fronts. In security, we allocated ₦6.11 trillion (11.1%) of the 2025 budget to the security sector. The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Act, 2023, signed by the President, has set Nigeria on the path to self-reliance in arms production and logistics.
“Similarly, the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act 2024 has tightened regulatory loopholes in arms control. It is expected to significantly reduce the illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons.
“On the economic front, we supported the removal of subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange windows. We courageously passed legislation targeted at tax reforms. Cumulatively, these actions, along with the bold decisions of the President, are boosting investor confidence, increasing federal revenue, and augmenting state allocations. In April 2025, Nigeria met its OPEC production quota of 1.486 million barrels per day. This is the first time Nigeria has met its target since 2021.
“Through legislative measures, we have supported and accelerated the President’s infrastructure revolution. Funding for infrastructure rose to 8.16% in 2025, sustaining 440 ongoing road projects, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano corridor and the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway.
“In the social sector, allocation to education increased from 5.7% in 2021 to at least 8.2% in 2023/2024. The Student Loan Act has empowered over 500,000 students.
“Mr. President, with legislative support, you have established ten new universities, polytechnics, and specialised institutions. This is the highest of any President in his first term.
“We are committed to providing funding to these institutions to ensure a smooth take-off. Health allocations increased to 5.46% in 2024, resulting in the revitalisation of 4,000 primary healthcare centres and clinics nationwide. We also supported the implementation of a ₦70,000 minimum wage to reinforce social protection.
“The House of Representatives has actively conducted oversight of executive agencies to ensure that laws are implemented and that development funds are allocated properly. The House Public Accounts Committee has reported recoveries exceeding ₦61.5 billion in outstanding debts owed to the Federal Government by oil and gas companies.
“We have also deepened transparency through our biannual Youth and Women’s Town Halls, an annual live televised citizens’ interactive session, and the annual House Open Week. We are excited to announce that the next Open Week is scheduled for July. Mr President, we would be honoured if you could join us and officially declare the event open.
Our parliamentary diplomacy has flourished with the establishment of 82 friendship groups, fostering legislative ties with global partners. Collaborations with CSOs, including UNDP, PLAC, UN Women, KAS, and YIAGA Africa, have enhanced our expertise and promoted inclusion. Notably, the 10th House has partnered with the UNDP, resulting in a Memorandum of Understanding to mobilise ₦50 billion over four years for the Parliamentary Development Project, thereby strengthening the capacity of Members.
“The 10th House has proven to be a ‘House with a Human Face’. In March 2025, Members donated ₦705 million, equivalent to half their salaries over six months, to support the President’s relief programme for vulnerable Nigerians.
‘The House also contributed ₦650 million to provide housing for the families of deceased Members and former leaders. Furthermore, individual Members donated over ₦500 million to support communities in Kaduna, Enugu, Anambra, Oyo, Niger, Borno, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory, assisting displaced persons affected by banditry and communal violence.
“Furthermore, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, the 10th House extended dedicated support to our traditional institutions, recognising their vital role in community leadership and cohesion. We provided 40 new vehicles to traditional rulers across six geopolitical zones to enhance community engagement.
“Today’s ceremony has been truly magnificent, and you have achieved what past Assemblies could only dream of: an annual address by the President to a joint session of the National Assembly. By accepting our invitation, you have made history. I respectfully urge that we now institutionalise this address as an annual event.
