The Nation Newspaper

Tag: national assembly

  • More than a seat, Nigerian women deserve power

    More than a seat, Nigerian women deserve power

    • By Lekan Olayiwola

    Sir: Since 1999, barely 43 women senators and 119 House members have held elective seats in Nigeria’s National Assembly. Sometimes triumphant but often solitary, their journeys tell stories of structural exclusion, and individual determination. Over 25 years of democracy in Nigeria, women have held 162 out of 3,283 legislative seats. That means women have occupied fewer than 1 in 20 (or 4.9%) seats in Nigeria’s highest law-making body.

    This is not symbolic absence, but entrenched structural gap and systemic marginalisation of women in Nigeria’s political landscape.

    With women holding less than 5% of seats in the National Assembly, the country ranks among the lowest globally for female political representation. The proposed Reserved Seats Bill, if passed, aims to change that trajectory, even if modestly.

    The Bill offers access to formal political power, reserving 111 extra seats for women in the National Assembly, granting women a legally mandated political presence—a foot in the door. This signals constitutional recognition that gender exclusion is real. Although it could inspire a new generation of female political aspirants, critics regard it as a temporary structural fix because it’s not permanent—it designed to expire after 16 years.

    Critics say it doesn’t address root causes, tackle party gatekeeping, money politics, or political violence which are the real barriers. Without reforms to party primaries, campaign financing, and electoral safety, many qualified women will still be locked out. It neither empowers at scale nor match actual demographic or participatory parity. It may lead to tokenism if not followed by deeper institutional reforms.

     The Bill risks ghettoising women’s representation; by creating “special” women’s seats, it could reinforce the notion that women are politically “other” or only belong in segregated spaces. It doesn’t guarantee leadership influence because having more women in parliament doesn’t translate to women leading parliament, especially in key committees or power blocs.

     But while it may look like a small step, for generations of politically excluded women, this could be a giant leap forward. Around the world, gender quotas have proven to be not only effective, but transformative. They are not about charity. They are about legitimacy.

    Read Also: FCT police, DSS, military activate joint patrols to curb kidnapping, one chance

    In Rwanda, a constitutional mandate reserves 30% of parliamentary seats for women. The result? Women now hold 61% of the lower house—the highest in the world. This didn’t happen by accident. It happened by design.

    Mexico took a different route. Through a parity law, political parties are required to nominate 50% women for all elected positions. The outcome? Near-equal representation in Congress. Not because women were given power, but because they were finally allowed to compete on equal footing.

    In India, the transformation began at the grassroots. One-third of all seats in local councils are reserved for women. Today, over one million women serve in local governance. That’s not symbolism. That’s infrastructure.

    Senegal passed a law mandating gender parity on party lists. Today, women hold 43% of seats in the National Assembly. And in Tunisia, a “zipper system” requires party lists to

    Let Nigeria be the next example others cite—not for how long we waited, but for how boldly we moved.

    Reserved seats alone party won’t dismantle the barricades of gatekeeping, money politics, and electoral violence. But here’s the opportunity: the bill can be paired with complementary reforms, such as mandatory internal party quotas for primaries, public campaign financing for women candidates and electoral safety protocols, especially in high-risk zones. Reserved seats can be the wedge that opens the door, but the rest of the architecture must follow.

    •Lekan Olayiwola,

    lekanolayiwola@gmail.com

    Prof. Leonard Karshima Shilgba,

    <shilgba@gmail.com>

  • National Assembly by-elections: APC begins sales of forms

    National Assembly by-elections: APC begins sales of forms

    • Aspirants outline vision for development and empowerment

    Ahead of the August 16 National Assembly by-elections to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday began the sales of nomination and expression of interest forms to aspirants.

    The by-elections are meant to fill two senatorial, five House of Representatives, and nine Houses of Assembly seats across 12 states.

    The party’s nomination and expression of interest forms for the Senate seat cost N20 million, the House of Representatives attract N10 million, while House of Assembly forms go for N2 million.

    The primary for the party’s tickets for the vacant legislative seats is also slated for July 16, 2025.

    Addressing reporters after purchasing his nomination and expression of interest forms, Oscar Agedo, who is seeking to fill the seat the Edo State Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa vacated in the National Assembly, following his election victory, is vying to represent Ovia Federal Constituency of Edo State.

    The aspirant promised his constituents impactful representation.

    “My intention to represent my people in the Green Chamber is simple: to make good laws for our country and to ensure proper representation for my people, especially in the area of infrastructural development.

    “As a legislator, my primary responsibility is to make laws. But it is also obvious that in our democracy today, there is a high demand for lawmakers to implement constituency projects.

    “For me, my major focus will be on youth and citizens’ empowerment across Ovia South-West and Ovia North-East. Our predecessor, who is now the deputy governor of Edo State, has done remarkably well in infrastructure. I will not just add to that, but my key interest is in human capacity development.

    “I assure you that I will make my people proud,” he said.

    Read Also: Faleke: National Assembly will enable fiscal policies for business growth

    Aghedo, a former local government chairman, also urged the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to conduct a credible primary election on July 19.

    “I also want to appeal to the National Working Committee that our party is known for credible and transparent primaries. I am confident that come July 19, we will have a free and fair primary election in our constituency,” he said.

    Another aspirant for Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency seat in Kaduna State, Yakubu Waziri, praised the Senator Uba Sani-led administration in the state for addressing insecurity, especially in the Southern Kaduna region.

    “For a long time, Chikun and Kajuru were constantly in the news for negative reasons. But today, thanks to the intervention of His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the ‘People’s Governor’, the situation has improved. In fact, we are not just experiencing relative peace; we are enjoying permanent peace, to the glory of God.

    “If elected as a member of the House of Representatives for Chikun/Kajuru Constituency, what we have done so far is just the beginning. Our people will have no regrets electing us. By the grace of God, we’ll deliver.”

  • National Assembly to transmit constitution review report to state assemblies before December

    National Assembly to transmit constitution review report to state assemblies before December

    …amendment imposible without State Assemblies’

    Plans are underway by the National Assembly to transmit the report of the ongoing constitution review to 36 Houses of Assemblies before December.

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the plan is consistent with the design and timetable of the review.

    He urged stakeholders with special requests to engage and lobby their state assemblies, saying that the National Assembly “cannot successfully review the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) without their approval.

    Bamidele, who is the leader of the senate/zonal chairman, Senate committee on the review of 1999 constitution, spoke at the conclusion of the two-day zonal public hearing on the Review of the 1999 constitution held at the Water Crest Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos state.

    Since the beginning of alteration of the Constitution in the Fourth Republic in 1999, devolution of powers, local government autonomy, creation of additional states and establishment of state police, among others have taken center stage at the zonal public hearing.

    At the public hearing yesterday were Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Olarere Oyewunmi; Chairperson, Senate Committee on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Oluranti Adebule; Chairperson, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ipalibo Banigo; Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Procurement, Senator Olajide Ipinsangba and Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire, among others.

    Bamide disclosed that the report of the constitution review committee would be transmitted to all State Houses of Assembly before December 2025 consistent with the timetable of the exercise.

    According to him, we have completed the public hearing. We are now returning to Abuja to prepare our report. Part of our time table is to have final notifications before the end of the year and transmit our report to all state assemblies. This will round the process of the constitution review.

    He, therefore, noted that the constitution review “is not a jamboree contrary to some dissenting views across the federation. Rather, it is designed to make consequential reforms that can guarantee our collective prosperity, more efficient governance structure and sustainable development.”

    Read Also: No coalition can stop Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 — Rep Oseni

    Bamidele also observed that the National Assembly would be handicapped to successfully complete the constitution review process if all the amendments proposed by the stakeholders were not approved by the two-third of state assemblies.

    The zonal chairman of the constitution review committee, thus, challenged all stakeholders across the federation to lobby all state assemblies and their lawmakers to secure basic requirements for the successful amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

    While he promised the National Assembly would process all the proposals it received so far and transmit them to the state assemblies, Bamidele challenged the stakeholders to decisively engage and lobby all the state legislatures if all the amendments would become part of the Constitution.

    Bamidele said, “There is nothing the National Assembly can do without a two-thirds approval of all proposals by the state legislatures. All stakeholders must work with their lawmakers at the state level. We must appreciate the role of state assemblies to ensure the passage of the proposals into laws.

    “State assemblies are part of the process. We have been in Lagos State in the last 48 hours, listening to people’s aspirations, concerns and will. All six states in the geo-political zone were represented by their elected representatives. We are in this process together to receive their presentations.

    “The state assemblies are already anticipating the report of the constitution review from the National Assembly. They are not waiting for the report alone. They are also part of the constitution review process. I do not envisage any problem from the state assemblies.

    “Therefore, we are advising all the stakeholders who are also looking for special considerations to extend their advocacies to the state assemblies. It is not just about them as elected representatives, but as representatives of people who elected them. People should be aware when they are making decisions to be sure that they are also doing so in consonance with the wishes of their constituents.”

    Also at the public hearing, Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and Speaker, Oyo State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin solicited for more power to be devolved to subnational governments for rapid and accelerated development.

    Ogundoyin, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abiodun Fadeyi, said both federal and state governments should be allowed to legislate on issues that border on solid minerals, labour matters, drug and poisons, telecommunications, stamp duty amongst others.

    He said, “Devolution of powers is key to this on-going constitutional amendment by devolving key items from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List in the interest of all. For instance, the removal of the electricity matter from the Exclusive Legislative List has significantly transformed many states’ power sector through independent power supply initiatives.”

    Ogundoyin also backed the establishment of state police, pointing its benefits to include improved local security, community policing, decongestion of federal responsibilities, enhanced accountability and employment opportunities.

    The speaker said, “Concerning the state police, all the stakeholders will agree with me that the debate over the establishment of state policing has garnered momentum from both supporters and critics. The potential benefits of state police far outweigh the challenges.

    “In essence, what the amendment seeks to address will be the powers, responsibilities and limits of the state police should be clearly defined, provide oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse and design a comprehensive framework for federal and state police to work in harmony to balance power and for effective coordination mechanisms.”

  • Stakeholders seek legislation to combat bullying

    Stakeholders seek legislation to combat bullying

    Stakeholders have called on the National Assembly to enact a law that would support the fight against bullying in the country.

    They noted that bullying was destructive and a killer of dreams that must not be given place in schools across all levels in the country.

    The stakeholders rejected bullying and called on students, parents and others to kick it out of the school environment as well as the society.

    The stakeholders, who included Ministers of State for Education and Humanitarian Affairs: Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad; Yusuf Tanko Sununu and Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, spoke at the National Stakeholders’ Summit on Bullying Prevention and Support with the theme: “Unite Against Bullying: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Legislative and Social Change,” organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon in collaboration with United Women Voice International Foundation in Abuja.

    Ahmad condemned the rising cases of bullying, especially among students, which she noted in some cases, lead to death or student’s withdrawal from school, anxiety, and other psychological effects.

    READ ALSO: Why I abandoned law to pursue acting – Femi Adebayo

    She highlighted ongoing efforts of the Federal Ministry of Education aimed at tackling the menace, disclosing that the ministry has gone beyond policy pronouncement against bullying to setting up of a taskforce for enforcement.

    She said: “Bullying in whatever form is unacceptable. It needs a multisectoral approach, combining policy, awareness campaigns, training and mental health services. The Ministry has done so much including the launch of a national anti-bullying policy in our schools, which was launched on the 5th of May 2025.”

    On his part, Olawande reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to building a safer society for young people in the country, insisting that stakeholders must rise to the occasion of protecting and empowering young Nigerians.

    Olawande, who insisted that bullying must not have a place in schools in Nigeria, enlisted the support of parents, teachers, traditional and religious leaders, media and other stakeholders to address the challenge of bullying both in schools and in society, while also noting that the task is enormous for the government alone to tackle.

    Sununu expressed concerns about rising cases of bullying in schools in Nigeria, saying bullying is commonly reported in Nigeria, where many studies give a rate of 21-82 per cent in terms of prevalence in the nation’s institutions.

    “The most typical one that has a prevalence of almost 62% is physical bullying, which can involve physical harm, such as hitting, kicking, pushing, or damaging property,” he said.

    Sununu commended the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon and other partners for organising the summit, which he noted was apt and timely.

    Earlier, Asefon described bullying as a national crisis requiring multi-sectoral approaches to address, hence the decision to organise the summit where experts and stakeholders including partners in advocacy, educators, government officials, students and child protection stakeholders, gather to brainstorm on prevention, awareness and solution.

    He said: “Across Nigeria today, bullying whether physical, verbal, psychological, or online has become a destructive force. It undermines mental health, disrupts academic performance, and threatens the safety of our learning environments.

    “It is no longer a series of isolated incidents or unfortunate elements of ‘school culture’; it is a national challenge demanding a unified, multi-sectoral response.

    “Today’s summit, themed ‘Unite Against Bullying: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Legislative and Social Change,’ speaks to both our shared vision and collective action required across government institutions, educational systems, communities, and digital platforms to ensure that every child and student feels protected, valued, and empowered.

    “It is our declaration that enough is enough. We are here because we believe: no child should suffer in silence; no parent should fear sending their child to school and no school should ignore cries for help disguised as ‘discipline’ or ‘growing pains.”

    Hundreds of students drawn from both secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) participated in the summit.

    One of the participants, Bessong Chikeyen Enu from Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Abaji, highlighted the negative impact of bullying among students, saying her school introduced various measures to check the menace.

  • NASS to transmit constitution review report to State Assemblies before Dec

    NASS to transmit constitution review report to State Assemblies before Dec

    The National Assembly on Saturday disclosed that it would transmit the report of the ongoing constitution review to 36 State Assemblies before December 2025 consistent with its design and timetable.

    The parliament, however, challenged all stakeholders with special requests to engage and lobby their State Assemblies, noting that the National Assembly “cannot successfully review the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) without their approval.

    Leader of the Senate/Zonal Chairman, Senate Committee on the Review of 1999 Constitution, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele made this disclosure on Saturday at the conclusion of the two-day zonal public hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution held at the Water Crest Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State.

    Since the beginning of alteration of the Constitution in the Fourth Republic in 1999, devolution of powers, local government autonomy, creation of additional states and establishment of state police, among others have taken center stage at the zonal public hearing.

    At the public hearing on Saturday are Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Olarere Oyewunmi; Chairperson, Senate Committee on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Oluranti Adebule; Chairperson, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ipalibo Banigo; Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Procurement, Senator Olajide Ipinsangba and Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire, among others.

    Addressing the stakeholders on Saturday, Bamide disclosed that the report of the constitution review committee would be transmitted to all State Houses of Assembly before December 2025 consistent with the timetable of the exercise.

    According to him, we have completed the public hearing. We are now returning to Abuja to prepare our report. Part of our time table is to have final notifications before the end of the year and transmit our report to all state assemblies. This will round the process of the constitution review.

    He, therefore, noted that the constitution review “is not a jamboree contrary to some dissenting views across the federation. Rather, it is designed to make consequential reforms that can guarantee our collective prosperity, more efficient governance structure and sustainable development.”

    Bamidele also observed that the National Assembly would be handicapped to successfully complete the constitution review process if all the amendments proposed by the stakeholders were not approved by the two-third of state assemblies.

    Read Also: Tinubu installs Igwe Agubuzu as Chancellor, Federal University of Kashere

    The zonal chairman of the constitution review committee challenged all stakeholders across the federation to lobby all state assemblies and their lawmakers to secure basic requirements for the successful amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

    While he promised the National Assembly would process all the proposals it received so far and transmit them to the state assemblies, Bamidele challenged the stakeholders to decisively engage and lobby all the state legislatures if all the amendments would become part of the Constitution.

    Bamidele said: “There is nothing the National Assembly can do without a two-thirds approval of all proposals by the state legislatures. All stakeholders must work with their lawmakers at the state level. We must appreciate the role of state assemblies to ensure the passage of the proposals into laws.

    “State assemblies are part of the process. We have been in Lagos State in the last 48 hours, listening to people’s aspirations, concerns and will. All six states in the geo-political zone were represented by their elected representatives. We are in this process together to receive their presentations.

    “The state assemblies are already anticipating the report of the constitution review from the National Assembly. They are not waiting for the report alone. They are also part of the constitution review process. I do not envisage any problem from the state assemblies.

    “Therefore, we are advising all the stakeholders who are also looking for special considerations to extend their advocacies to the state assemblies. It is not just about them as elected representatives, but as representatives of people who elected them. People should be aware when they are making decisions to be sure that they are also doing so in consonance with the wishes of their constituents.”

    Also at the public hearing, Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and Oyo Speaker Debo Ogundoyin solicited for more power to be devolved to subnational governments for rapid and accelerated development.

    Ogundoyin, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Abiodun Fadeyi, said both Federal and State Governments should be allowed to legislate on issues that border on solid minerals, labour matters, drug and poisons, telecommunications, stamp duty amongst others.

    He said: “Devolution of powers is key to this on-going constitutional amendment by devolving key items from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List in the interest of all. For instance, the removal of the electricity matter from the Exclusive Legislative List has significantly transformed many states’ power sector through independent power supply initiatives. “

    Ogundoyin also backed the establishment of state police, pointing its benefits to include improved local security, community policing, decongestion of federal responsibilities, enhanced accountability and employment opportunities.

    The speaker said: “Concerning the state police, all the stakeholders will agree with me that the debate over the establishment of state policing has garnered momentum from both supporters and critics. The potential benefits of state police far outweigh the challenges.

    “In essence, what the amendment seeks to address will be the powers, responsibilities and limits of the state police should be clearly defined, provide oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse and design a comprehensive framework for federal and state police to work in harmony to balance power and for effective coordination mechanisms.”

  • Why we constructively engage the Executive, by National Assembly

    Why we constructively engage the Executive, by National Assembly

    The National Assembly yesterday said those who describe it as a “rubber stamp “ were making a mistake.

    The Assembly argued that such critics needed to understand that its collaboration with the Executive was a strategic way of ensuring seamless delivery of safeguarding democracy and promoting development.

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified this in a statement on the mid-term of the 10th National Assembly.   House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas spoke on the House’s posture at a lecture on  ‘Legislating Under Pressure: The Realities of Law-making in Nigeria’ at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi. 

    They both highlighted the achievements and goals of the 10th National Assembly, saying the parliament has done well.

    The Senate Leader said the current National Assembly has recorded some accomplishments and begun to chart the road ahead for Nigeria’s democratic future.

    In a comprehensive midterm statement released to reporters yesterday in Abuja, Bamidele described the occasion as a moment of reflection, both on Nigeria’s journey away from military rule and the work still needed to entrench representative governance.

    “Reaching this midterm milestone is not just symbolic. It is a call to reflection—on our democratic gains, the sacrifices made, and the road still ahead,” the Senate Leader said.

    Bamidele, who is representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, acknowledged the significant challenges faced by the 10th Assembly.

    He emphasised that they stemmed not from internal failings but from the complexities of national recovery in a difficult era.

    But the Senate Leader said the Assembly had embraced its legislative role with a sense of responsibility, working under intense public scrutiny and criticism.

    Responding to frequent criticisms branding the legislature as a “rubber stamp,” he defended the Assembly’s strategic choice of collaboration with the executive arm of government.

    Bamidele argued that the adversarial posture of previous Assemblies often hampered governance, while the 10th Assembly has pursued constructive engagement without compromising its constitutional independence.

    This approach, he said, has yielded tangible results: between June 2023 and June 2025, the legislature enacted or amended 108 laws aimed at improving lives and securing Nigeria’s future.

    Commenting on the 10th National Assembly’s Landmark Legislation and Economic Reforms, Bamidele identified two standout legislative achievements were the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, and the Tax Reform Bills, 2025.

    Read Also: First Lady seeks legislative support for humanitarian projects

    The student loan law, facilitated through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), according to him, has already received over one million applications, with more than 500,000 students granted institutional and upkeep loans.

    Bamidele said this reflected “real progress in human capital development”.

    The Senate Leader said the tax reforms — currently awaiting presidential assent — are projected to boost investor confidence and economic growth.

    If implemented effectively, he stressed, the reforms could raise Nigeria’s GDP from $363.8 billion to $1 trillion by 2030.

    Bamidele noted a significant increase in legislative activity within the Senate.

    According to him, a total of 983 Bills were introduced in two years — 477 in the first session and 506 in the second, representing a 6 per cent rise.

    He said: “More importantly, Bill passage jumped by 232 per cent, from 25 Bills in 2023/2024 to 83 in 2024/2025. The number of Executive Bills passed also doubled, from 13 to 26.

    “Performance in the legislature goes beyond numbers. The National Assembly’s expanded oversight responsibilities and its responsiveness to citizen concerns.

    “Petitions handled rose from 50 to 80 within a year, while 215 executive appointments were confirmed during the first session.”

    Looking ahead, Bamidele said the 10th National Assembly would focus on stabilising the fiscal and monetary environment, securing lives and infrastructure, and reducing inflation.

    He emphasised the need for constitutional reform to correct long-standing structural imbalances in the federation.

    Zonal public hearings organised by the Constitution Review Committee will soon commence, promising to be inclusive and participatory.

    He said an electoral reform was also high on the National Assembly’s agenda.

    “We must work together to build a political structure that reflects our aspirations and protects our democracy,” Bamidele added.

  • Fed Govt to lobby National Assembly on Road Fund Bill

    Fed Govt to lobby National Assembly on Road Fund Bill

    The Federal Government will lobby the National Assembly for the passage of the Nigeria Road Fund Bill and another pending legislation that seeks to enhance road infrastructure financing and management, Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has said.

    He dropped the hint in Abuja yesterday on Day 2 of the 2025 Public Private Partnership (PPP) Summit organised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

    The event brought together private sector stakeholders, government ministries, and regulatory agencies to explore sustainable models for infrastructure development in Nigeria.

    The Nigeria Road Fund Bill (also known as the National Roads Fund Bill), is central to government’s effort to establish a long-term financing mechanism for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the nation’s roads. The bill, which has been at the National Assembly since the Eighth Assembly, has passed the second reading in the Senate of the current 10th Assembly and now at committee stage, proposes the creation of a dedicated fund that would draw revenue from road users and other approved sources.

    Speaking at the summit, Goronyo said: “For us at the Ministry of Works, we are completely aligning with the vision of Mr. President in ensuring quality road infrastructure across the country.

    “But for the bill that is before the National Assembly, we have to get it passed. So for us, it’s just to make a lobby and maybe review the clauses that are very important to the ministry, and by extension, to Nigerians.”

    He acknowledged that the executive arm cannot interfere with legislative processes but intends to advocate strongly for the passage of the bill.

    Read Also: National Assembly mulls extension of 2024 budget capital vote

    “The National Assembly is an arm of government. We cannot just push something that is still at the committee level, but we can advocate, we can consult, and even former members of the National Assembly have a way of pursuing that,” Goronyo said.

    He noted that the Ministry of Works maintains strong relationships with key lawmakers and relevant committees in both chambers of the National Assembly. “We’ll put forward this request and ensure that, by the special grace of God, the bill is passed for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

    On the issue of federal road concessions, the minister disclosed that the government has developed a strict framework to ensure that all Public Private Partnership (PPP) concession agreements are legally sound and transparent, to avoid future disputes.

    “The federal government through the Ministry of Works has been meticulous in ensuring that we give Nigerians the best of concession agreements. We want to avoid anything that could cause litigation or complications later on,” Goronyo said.

    He added that the Ministry is working collaboratively with the ICRC, Ministry of Justice and the Bureau of Public Enterprises, to review and vet all concession agreements.

    “We’re engaging all the relevant agencies and are open to conversations and collaborations with private sector partners and other stakeholders ready to contribute to infrastructure development,” he added.

    Goronyo also expressed optimism that the recently approved National Policy on Public Private Partnership would help stimulate investment inflows into Nigeria’s infrastructure space, particularly in road, power, transport, and housing sectors.

    The ICRC Director-General, Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, assured stakeholders that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not cancelled any PPP contract since assuming office.

    “At most, what the government does is review contracts in line with current realities. There is no agenda to cancel private sector partnerships,” he said.

    The ICRC boss said that the summit was convened to create a platform where private investors and public institutions could jointly develop strategies to close Nigeria’s infrastructure gap.

    “This summit is about collaboration – bringing together government agencies and private capital to chart a path for Nigeria’s infrastructure growth,” he said.

  • FG to lobby National Assembly on Road Fund Bill

    FG to lobby National Assembly on Road Fund Bill

    The Federal Government has resolved to lobby the National Assembly for the passage of the Nigeria Road Fund Bill and another pending legislation that seeks to enhance road infrastructure financing and management in the country.

    Minister of State for Works, Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during the second day of the 2025 Public Private Partnership (PPP) Summit organised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). 

    The event attracted private sector stakeholders, government ministries, and regulatory agencies to explore sustainable models for infrastructure development in Nigeria.

    The Nigeria Road Fund Bill, also known as the National Roads Fund Bill, is central to the Federal Government’s effort to establish a long-term financing mechanism for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the nation’s roads. The bill, which has been at the National Assembly since the 8th Assembly has passed the second reading in the Senate of the current 10th Assembly and is now at committee stage, proposes the creation of a dedicated fund that would draw revenue from road users and other approved sources.

    Speaking at the summit, Goronyo explained that “For us at the Ministry of Works, we are completely aligning with the vision of Mr. President in ensuring quality road infrastructure across the country,” the minister said. “But for the bill that is before the National Assembly, we have to get it passed. So for us, it’s just to make a lobby and maybe review the clauses that are very important to the ministry, and by extension, to Nigerians.”

    He acknowledged that the executive arm cannot interfere with legislative processes but intends to advocate strongly for the passage of the bill. “The National Assembly is an arm of government. We cannot just push something that is still at the committee level, but we can advocate, we can consult, and even former members of the National Assembly have a way of pursuing that,” he said.

    Read Also: National Assembly mulls extension of 2024 budget capital vote

    Goronyo noted that the Ministry of Works maintains strong working relationships with key lawmakers and relevant committees in both chambers of the National Assembly. “We’ll put forward this request and ensure that, by the special grace of God, the bill is passed for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

    On the issue of federal road concessions, the Minister disclosed that the government has developed a strict framework to ensure that all Public Private Partnership (PPP) concession agreements are legally sound and transparent, to avoid future disputes.

    “The federal government through the Ministry of Works has been meticulous in ensuring that we give Nigerians the best of concession agreements. We want to avoid anything that could cause litigation or complications later on,” Goronyo said.

    He added that the Ministry is working collaboratively with the ICRC, Ministry of Justice, and the Bureau of Public Enterprises to review and vet all concession agreements. “We’re engaging all the relevant agencies and are open to conversations and collaborations with private sector partners and other stakeholders ready to contribute to infrastructure development,” he added.

    Goronyo also expressed optimism that the recently approved National Policy on Public Private Partnership would help stimulate investment inflows into Nigeria’s infrastructure space, particularly in road, power, transport, and housing sectors.

     Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, assured stakeholders that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not cancelled any PPP contract since assuming office. “At most, what the government does is review contracts in line with current realities. There is no agenda to cancel private sector partnerships,” he said.

    Ewalefoh said the summit was convened to create a platform where private investors and public institutions could jointly develop strategies to close Nigeria’s infrastructure gap. “This summit is about collaboration—bringing together government agencies and private capital to chart a path for Nigeria’s infrastructure growth,” he said.

  • National Assembly mulls extension of 2024 budget capital vote

    National Assembly mulls extension of 2024 budget capital vote

    The lifespan of the capital vote component of the Federal Government’s 2024 budget is set for extension.

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele gave this hint yesterday, saying this is necessary to ensure full implementation.

    Bamidele said: “We have to sit and assess the full implementation of the 2024 budget.

    “We will further extend the capital expenditure timeline while ensuring that the 2025 budget is fully implemented.”

    The National Assembly, before the passage of this year’s budget, extended the implementation of the capital expenditure for the 2024 budget till June 30, this year.

    The planned further extension might have been a result of the inability to fully implement the capital vote.

    Last December 18, the National Assembly extended the implementation of the 2024 Budget by six months.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking at the 2025 Budget presentation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the 2024 Budget had achieved a 50 per cent performance rate in capital expenditure and 48 per cent in recurrent expenditure.

    “Your Excellency, we have noted the 2024 Budget performance.

    “Given this great achievement, we have deemed it necessary to extend the life span of the 2024 Budget to June 30th, 2025.

    “The enabling law for this extension will soon be placed before you for your assent as a testament to our appreciation for the great performance of the budget, ensuring that we build upon your momentum,” Akpabio had said.

    Bamidele, in a statement by his media adviser, Gboyega Akinsanmi, also spoke on the need to institutionalise a presidential address every June 12 in recognition of its historical significance.

    The Senator said: “We are hoping to bring a bill soon to institutionalise the President’s address on June 12 because of its historical importance.

    “There can’t be a better time to address the nation through the parliament than on June 12, especially since it is a joint sitting.”

    President Tinubu is slated to address the Federal lawmakers at a joint sitting tomorrow.

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    Bamidele said the proposed legislation would also seek to designate the National Assembly  Complex as the venue for future presidential inauguration.

    He added: “We are hoping, in that bill, to ensure that the swearing-in of the next President and Commander-in-Chief, who we believe is President Tinubu, will be held within the arcade of the National Assembly.”

    June 12 was declared Democracy Day as a replacement for May 29 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The historic election won by Chief Moshood Abiola and annulled by Military President Ibrahim Babangida was held on June 12, 1993.

    May 29, 1999, is the anniversary of the return to civil rule after 13 years of military.

    Bamidele said a bill to make the presidential address at the National Assembly on June 12 mandatory will be proposed.

    The Senator, who is the Vice Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, acknowledged that the constitution amendment has been slow.

    However, he assured Nigerians that the process is ongoing, adding that it will bear fruit.

    Bamidele said the committee is approaching the final stage of its work and planning to hold public hearings at zonal levels.

    He said the public hearings would lead to a joint public hearing coordinated by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

    He stressed: “We have done almost 70 per cent of the work before going public.

    “Before the end of the third legislative year, we intend to complete the constitutional amendment process.”

  • Technologists urge National Assembly to pass bill

    Technologists urge National Assembly to pass bill

    Nigerian Association of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists (NAAHHT), Southwest Zone, has appealed to the National Assembly to pass the Enabling Bill again and help pursue its assent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The plea formed part of the communiqué issued at the end of its zonal congress held at the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAH&PT), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    The communiqué, signed by the Zonal Chairman and Public Relations Officer, Elder Victor Alamurin and Mr Samuel Oluyemi, said: ‘’National Assembly is urged to pass the Enabling Bill of our association again and help pursue its assent by the President this time so that it will not be scuttled as usual by the Veterinary Council of Nigeria.

    “Since in the medical profession, there are over 10 Enabling Bills for professionals therein, that of the Animal Health sector should not be different.

    “The nomenclature of members of the association remains Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists. We are not ready to give up that nomenclature for any appellation like Veterinary Paraprofessional.

    “National Assembly is also urged not to honour the Veterinary Council amended act before it, in which the Veterinary Council of Nigeria is seeking to become the sole regulator of all professionals in the Animal Health sector.”

    NAAHHT called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to approve Bachelor of Technology/Bachelor of Science in Animal Health Technology in Nigerian universities.

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    The communiqué further said: “The National Council on Establishment should please implement the letter written from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation since December 11, 2018, titled: ‘The Inclusion of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologist Cadre in the Scheme of Service” and every other related document and gazette, by including it in the next scheme of service to be printed.

    “The association appreciates and eulogises international bodies such as Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for their collaboration, investments and concerns towards the Animal Health sector in Nigeria.

    “However, they should inquire from the Federal Government why the Enabling Bill of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists is yet to be signed into law after efforts by the association.

    “In addition, such international bodies should be directly liaising with the association’s national leadership for further collaborative efforts and projects to promote animal health and welfare practices.”

    The association, however, said its members shall continue in their responsibilities to each state government in payment of dues and regulations of premises of practice and business activities, but such payment shall be made to the given state government account directly through the association, NAAHHT and not through any third party or sister association such as the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA).