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  • Senate seeks federal-state synergy to harness solid minerals potential

    Senate seeks federal-state synergy to harness solid minerals potential

    The Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development has called for stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments to fully harness the vast economic opportunities within Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

    This appeal was made by the committee’s chairman, Senator Ekong Sampson, during courtesy visits to the governors of Enugu and Ebonyi states, Peter Mbah and Francis Nwifuru, respectively.

    Senator Sampson emphasised that such synergy is essential for unlocking the sector’s full potential for national growth and prosperity.

    He commended both governors for expressing readiness to partner with the federal government in advancing the solid minerals industry in their respective states.

    The visits formed part of the committee’s oversight tour of mining sites in Enugu and Ebonyi. Accompanying the chairman were Vice Chairman Senator Kabeeb Mustapha, Deputy Senate Majority Whip Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, Senator Anthony Ani, Senator Kelvin Chukwu, Senator Diket Plang, and Senator Okechukwu Ezea.

    Sampson said: “On behalf of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, we are here further to our oversight. We were in Ebonyi state, where we went round some mining sites, to see how we can deepen the policies about mining in this country.

    “We are here further to the mandate the Senate gave us to go round this country, and see how we can deepen the policies about mining in this country.

    “So we have come here to compare notes and then to go round some mining sites, form a welter of recommendations which we are going to make to the Senate.

    “The solid minerals sector is one sector that clearly will help to drive the economy of Nigeria.

    “We have depended a lot on oil, and it is time for us to look beyond oil and the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “We will eliminate a lot of oil. We still feel that we have to look beyond oil and the federal government, ably led by our dear President, through our renewed hope agenda, is taking the sector very seriously.

    “Appropriating the sum of N1trillion in the 2025 budget clearly signposts a roadmap that the government has for the sector.

    “So there has been a clear departure from the past and a very serious commitment that the government is bringing to bear to help drive this sector at this time, so that we can deepen the plans of our economy.

    “These visits have been designed to interface with the stakeholders. We did that in Ebonyi yesterday. Today we are here.

    “We also intend to go around some mining sites, see things for ourselves and explore further the huge opportunities that the sector presents for your state.

    “Truly, we are committed to a partnership that will further drive the prospects for our people. This is a movement of the renewed hope agenda of the President.

    “These are also times for collaboration. We’ve noted that to meaningfully drive the mining sector, there must be a level of cooperation between the entire government.  No level of government can go it alone if we are to harness the full potential for mining in the country.

    “The centre has to work with the states, and the states, of course, must work with the locals. There must be a synergy that’s winning. Because the sector is full of potential, it’s full of endowments, and we can maximise the advantage.”

    On his part, the Governor of Enugu state, Peter Mbah, noted that the country is basically sitting on a huge wealth, but sometimes struggles to get access to the wealth.

    “I also think that this committee’s task is of utmost importance,” he said. “It’s a very important task because solid minerals hold a huge economic opportunity for this country, particularly when we think or talk about economic diversification.”

    He added: “I think that we do not have any sector that holds the potential as much as the solid minerals’ sector does, and somehow, it appears we are suffering from the tragedy of the commons.

    “So I think that with the review of the Mining Act that is ongoing, I’m sure that you would ensure that there’s a lot more state inclusion, more state participation in the exploration or exploitation of solid minerals because I think both for the national and the sub-national, it holds very huge potential.  So this is why your committee is of immense importance to the entire country.

    “And then, of course, the collaboration. I believe that if we collaborate with you and then you can maybe even have technical sections with us, we can also talk about, part of the major challenge in even exploring fully the mining sector or the solid mineral sector is lack of data and then when you have them, they are either obsolete or not current and even when they are current they are not enough for one to make investment decisions with.

    Read Also: Senate extends 2024 capital budget implementation to December 2025

    “So that is why I talked about the tragedy of the commons, because if there is a clear line of responsibility  and one understands clearly  what the corresponding benefit is, then we can invest or to attract big companies that would invest in the mining or the solid mineral sector.”

    Earlier, while receiving the Committee in Abakaliki on Monday on behalf of Governor Francis Nwifuru, his deputy, Princess Patricia Obila, said the state is ready to partner with the Senate and the Federal Government to ensure that solid minerals are safely mined and made beneficial to Nigerians at all levels.

    Obila said, “Here in Ebonyi State, we still have a lot to be done as regards the solid minerals ministry. We have a lot of untapped mineral deposits in our area, and for you to come to Ebonyi State, it is commendable.

    “We are highly determined and committed to having a good synergy because we need to tap all these resources, and when all of them are fully tapped, it will not only increase our Internally Generated Revenue, but it will also help the state.

    “Not just the state alone, we will pay our royalties to the federal government and by the time you know it, everybody will benefit.  So we really need your cooperation.”

  • Senate extends 2024 capital budget implementation to December 2025

    Senate extends 2024 capital budget implementation to December 2025

    The Senate on Tuesday approved a further extension of the implementation timeline for the capital component of the 2024 budget, moving the deadline from June 30 to December 31, 2025.

    The decision followed the consideration and passage of an Appropriation Amendment Bill during plenary.

    The bill, sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun West), was read for the first, second, and third time on the same day and supported by a majority of senators.

    It was later considered and adopted at the Committee of Supply.

    Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, announced the extension, marking the second time the Senate has approved a shift in the capital implementation phase of the 2024 budget.

    Senator Adeola, in his lead debate, explained that the extension was necessary to allow the federal government to complete critical ongoing projects, given the limited financial resources available for execution.

    He urged lawmakers to support the measure to avoid leaving vital infrastructure projects unfinished across the country.

    The first extension was granted in December 2024 following a formal request by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who cited the need for more time to complete capital projects and ensure optimal utilisation of funds. That move pushed the original December 31, 2024, deadline to June 30, 2025.

    Read Also: Senate raises Customs 2025 revenue target to N10trn

    The President explained that it was necessary to enable the executive arm to complete ongoing capital projects and optimise budgetary allocations. That extension was granted after extensive debate and consideration by both chambers of the National Assembly.

    However, with that deadline now approaching and several major projects still incomplete, lawmakers deemed another extension necessary.

    With this latest move, Nigeria is now operating two concurrent budgets: the extended 2024 budget and the already passed 2025 appropriation law.

    While critics argue that the repeated extensions highlight weak budget implementation capacity within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), proponents believe the move ensures continuity and the completion of critical national projects.

  • Senate tasks Customs to raise revenue target to N10tr

    Senate tasks Customs to raise revenue target to N10tr

    • Reps caution on “illegal” charges

    The Senate Committee on Customs yesterday tasked the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to aim at a revenue target of N10 trillion, in line with recent trend in improved collections and returns.

    The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise however charged the NCS to stop collection of what it described as illegal fees.

    According to the Committee, the NCS must stop collection of one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme level and seven per cent cost of collection within the next seven days as these deductions are not known to any law in the country.

    The NCS defended its 2025 budget proposal of N6.584 trillion at the National Assembly. NCS presented N6.584 trillion revenue target and proposed expenditure of N1.132 trillion.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Senator Isah Jibrin, commended NCS for exceeding its 2024 revenue target and directed the agency to generate N10 trillion revenue in 2025 instead of the target of N6.584 trillion given to it.

    The NCS team led by Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, Jibo Bello, who represented the Comptroller General, presented the 2024 budget performance with a revenue target of N5.079 trillion, which was exceeded by over N1trillion.

    When Senator Jibrin put the question to his colleagues that the recommendation that the revenue target of N6.584 trillion and the expenditure of N1.132 trillion be approved for the 2025 financial year for the NCS; it was unanimously carried.

    This will be subsequently presented to the Senate at plenary most likely this week as the red chamber resumes today from its short Sallah recess.

    Jibrin emphasised the need for the NCS to rise up in terms of its surveillance with respect to illicit drugs and smuggling “to ensure that, as much as possible, you should be on top of your game”.

    He said there were so much illicit drugs flowing all over the place, which “is contributing to the issue of banditry in Nigeria because most of the bandits are on drugs.

    He said: “Then the issue of smuggling generally is also very important. So many items have been smuggled into Nigeria and that shouldn’t be so. The president of the country did mention some time ago that we should eat or consume what we produce.

    “The essence of that is that we should as much as possible curtail or reduce importation to the basics. Most of these items that are imported or smuggled into Nigeria can be produced comfortably here, even in their most crude form. Let’s consumed what we produce so as to conserve our foreign exchange earnings.

     “By the time that is done and there is patronage of these, companies that are producing some of these items in Nigeria, a lot of employment opportunities will be generated; a lot of raw materials that are idling away all over the place will also be put into use”.

    Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise, Leke Abejide, said the only legal collection for the funding of the service is the four per cent Free-on-Board (FoB) level

    He however decried the poor level of funding of the service in 2024 by the government despite surpassing its revenue target.

    He said the committee would allow the service to collect the one per cent CISS and seven per cent cost of collection till June 30, adding that from the 1st of July, they will not be permitted to collect the level as it was not known to any law in the country.

    Although the Deputy Comptroller General in Charge of Finance, Bello Mohammed Jibo who represented the Comptroller General told the Committee that the implementation of the four per cent FoB was suspended to allow the service sensitise stakeholders, Abejide threatened that the House will be forced to take legal action against the service if the collection which he called illegal continues.

    He also threatened that the House would take legal action against the service if it failed to do what the Customs Management Act says they should do.

    Abejide said the poor performance of the 2024 budget of the service has led to the level of performance on Personnel cost to stand at 43.53per cent, Overhead cost at 46.34per cent and Capital project performance at 45.68per cent despite the service surpassing the target of 2024.

    The Customs was given a revenue target of N5.079 trillion, but eventually generated and accounted for N6.105 trillion representing an increase of N1.026 trillion or 20.21per cent in 2024.

    He question why the service could not fund its operations in 2024, adding that “another shocking revelation is that from January to December in 2024, the 60 per cent of the one per cent Comprehensive Import Suspension Scheme (CISS) which was part of the revenue source to fund your overhead, personnel cost and capital projects recorded zero revenue to your cover.

    He said: “It is in the opinion of this committee that you should tell us what went wrong because the purpose of creating one per cent CISS was to take care of service providers back then such as COTECNA, SGS, and GLOBAL SCAN who were responsible for valuation and the issuance of Risk Assessment Report (RAR) and maintain scanning operations.

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     “Also, payment is equally made to Web Fountaine Limited that provided network and automation to NCS. But about 80per cent of these operations and work schedules have been taken over by Nigeria Customs Service. Therefore, why are you not getting your share of 60per cent of the one per cent CISS?

     “However, this committee is not unaware that CISS is not backed by any law in Nigeria. It is not in the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and even your seven per cent cost of collection is equally illegal as it is not in LFN. The only legal source of income back by the Act of Parliament as signed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria into Law and is Gazetted in LFN is the four per cent FoB which can be found in section 18(1a) of Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 (Federal Republic of Nigeria official Gazette No. 105 Lagos -9th June, 2023 Vol.110)”.

    Jibo said the NCS was established to take charge of collection of Customs and Excise revenue and account for such in a manner as may be directed, suppressing smuggling activities, arrest and prosecution of offenders and carrying out trade facilitation

    He said despite the attendant high revenue grants to duty exemptions, waivers, and concessions, the continuous drop in cargo throughput due to economic stiffness, the effect of currency floatation that results in unfavourable trade volume and the expected revenue inflow and the de-excise of many excisable commodities, leaving only a few; cigarettes, beer, and alcoholic beverages, the service was able to record some remarkable achievement in 2024.

    He also said aside government policy measure that exempted payments of Customs Duties and import VAT on some essential food commodities in 2024 and delay in rollout and implementation of the 2023 fiscal policies, the service would have performed better than it did during the year.

    Jibo said the management of the NCS is considerably determined to ensure that the 2025 to 2027 Fiscal strategy plan scales through successfully, adding that to achieve the set targets.

    To achieve this, he said, there was the need for the Customs modernisation project, with the introduction of the newly launched Unified Customs Information System, provides a platform for full automation of all Customs procedures, which is expected to enhance revenue collection efficiency.

    He said further that the Service’s Management is intensifying its efforts to achieve more effective revenue recovery interventions, stressing that with the collaboration of WCO in developing an operational manual for PCA, there will be a better approach to revenue recoveries through the PCA, Systems Audit and Valuation.

    He maintained that the Nigeria Customs Service has implemented the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) and Advanced Rulings programme, and consequently developed and built same into its operations which will boost the trade facilitation drive, enhance the release time of goods, improve the turnover time of Import and Export, and increase revenue generation as well.

    He disclosed that to tackle the menace of revenue leakages through smuggling, stakeholder engagements remain a striking agenda of the management of the Nigeria Customs Service. Hence, the Service seeks to engage more relevant authorities to ensure effective collaboration and security along the national borders.

    He called for the introduction of more scanners across Customs formations and the adoption of surveillance equipment will aid better revenue generation in 2025 and going forward, saying with accelerated clearance and timely release of goods, the floating exchange will remain favourable to trade.

    He recommended other measures such as the re-introduction of excise on telecom services and single-used plastics policies as well as review of the tax expenditure policy of the Government to ensure a reasonable application that may not impose maximum negative impact or pressure on revenue.

    He also said that the Service anti-smuggling campaign, using all required operational guides as provided within the confines of Customs laws, will be intensified to ensure that illicit trade that creates a sphere for revenue leakages, as well as economic sabotage, is brought to the barest minimum.

  • Constitution Review: Senate proposes public hearing in six geopolitical zones

    Constitution Review: Senate proposes public hearing in six geopolitical zones

    The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution is set to organise a comprehensive two-day zonal public hearing in the country’s six geo-political zones to gather Nigerians‘ input on the proposed constitutional amendments.

    The committee, chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, said the public hearing which will be held simultaneously in Lagos (South West), Enugu (South East), Ikot Ekpene (South South), Jos (North Central), Maiduguri (North East) and Kano (North West), is convened to gather the inputs of citizens on the proposed amendments to the nation’s Constitution.

    The hearing, scheduled for July 4th and 5th, 2025, will examine critical national issues, including local government autonomy, electoral and judicial reforms, state creation, state police and inclusive governance.

    The Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, in a statement, said one of the bills, “proposes the establishment of Local Government Councils as a tier of government to guarantee their democratic existence and tenure. This is part of a renewed push to grant full autonomy to the country’s 774 Local Government Councils.

    “The second bill on local government reforms seeks to create an independent National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC) to organise, conduct and supervise local government elections.

    “Also to be considered during the zonal public hearing are two bills on security and policing for the establishment of state police and the state Security Council to coordinate internal security policies at the sub-national level.

    “In the area of fiscal reforms, six bills are going to be considered, including the one to empower the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission to enforce compliance of remittance of accruals into and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account and streamline the procedure for reviewing the revenue allocation formula.

    “Also, on fiscal reforms, a bill to alter the provisions of the constitution to specify the period within which the president or the governor of a state shall present the appropriation bill before the National Assembly or House of Assembly will be discussed during the hearing.

    “In a fresh move toward gender equity, the Committee will also consider a bill to provide additional seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly.

    “To strengthen traditional institutions, a Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution to establish the National Council of Traditional Rulers, the State Council of Traditional Rulers, and the Local Government Council of Traditional Rulers would also be considered.”

    He added: “On electoral reforms, a proposal seeking the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to allow for independent candidacy at all levels of election, from local councils to the presidency, will also be discussed at the public hearing.

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    “This is just as a bill for diaspora voting to enfranchise Nigerians abroad has been listed for consideration.

    “The hearing will consider over 20 bills seeking to overhaul the country’s judiciary, including timelines for judgment delivery and expanded jurisdiction for election tribunals.

    “In a bold push for devolution of powers, proposals have been made to transfer items like labour and shipping from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List.”

    He also said to be considered during the “public hearing are 31 proposals on state creation, with five requests each from the South West, South South, and North Central geopolitical zones. The committee has received seven requests from the North East, six from the North West, and three from the South East.

    “The committee stressed the importance of public engagement in shaping the country’s constitution, calling everyone to participate during the zonal public hearing.”

  • Yelewata killings: Senate leadership to accompany Tinubu to Benue Wednesday

    Yelewata killings: Senate leadership to accompany Tinubu to Benue Wednesday

    The Senate leadership on Tuesday said it would accompany President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Benue State today (Wednesday), to condole with the people of Yelewata village over the massacre of their kinsmen by suspected herdsmen recently.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists on the activities of the Senate in the last two years.

    Adaramodu said beyond paying condolence visits, whenever there are major attacks, the Senate had perfected strategies in collaboration with the executive to end mass killings across the country.

    He said, “About the tragic incident in Benue: it was very unfortunate. We sympathise with the victims and families affected.

    “The Senate, in collaboration with the executive, will visit Benue tomorrow (today, Wednesday) with a delegation of Senators to commiserate with the Yelewata people.

    “More importantly, we are organising a national security summit — not just for the military, but for CSOs, media, women, youth, and other critical stakeholders — because enough is enough. We cannot keep going from Plateau to Benue, paying condolence visits.

    Read Also: Afenifere hails Tinubu for kick-starting Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, other key projects

    “We are tired of mourning. The time has come to act. Security is local, and locals must be part of the solution. With Mr. President’s support, the Senate and the House of Representatives have appropriated adequate funds to support the military and security agencies.

    “Together with traditional rulers and communities, we must put a stop to this bloodshed.

    “Tomorrow’s visit to Benue will signal that the government is serious, both the legislature and the executive.

    “When we hold the national security summit, we hope to uncover hidden problems and find lasting solutions to the killings of innocent Nigerians, not just in Benue or Plateau, but across the country.”

  • Senate awaits report of pilgrims’ burnt accommodation in Makkah, says Ndume

    Senate awaits report of pilgrims’ burnt accommodation in Makkah, says Ndume

    A delegation from the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Senator Ali Ndume, has visited the Nigerian pilgrims’ accommodation in Makkah recently affected by a fire incident.

    Speaking during the visit, Senator Ndume thanked Allah that no live was lost in the fire, which affected a building housing Nigerian pilgrims in the Shar Mansur area.

    “Alhamdulillah, there was no loss of life. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) responded promptly and relocated the affected pilgrims to a new accommodation. Although the full assessment of the incident is still ongoing, what matters most is that everyone is safe,” Senator Ndume said.

    He noted that the Committee, which is currently on an oversight mission in Saudi Arabia, felt it was important to physically assess the situation and show solidarity with the victims.

    Visit of the Senate representatives to the scene of the fire gutted accommodation to conduct their oversight function… alongside NAHCON Chairman CEO and PRSILS Commissioner and Saudi Liaison officer…

    “We had wanted to visit earlier, but considering the return of pilgrims from Mina, we felt it was better to wait a little. We will also meet the victims to sympathize with them. It is important, as Muslims, to show concern and offer support when such incidents happen,” he added.

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    One of the affected pilgrims, Suleiman Ali Muhammad from Borno State, recounted the experience. “It was terrible and heartbreaking. We were in Mina when we got the information that our hotel was on fire. It was a distressing moment,” he said. “Thankfully, we later received photos and updates via social media and from our agents, which brought some relief.”

    He also praised NAHCON’s swift intervention, saying: “The Chairman of NAHCON personally addressed us and assured us that everything was under control. Within a short time, we were moved to another good accommodation. We truly appreciate their efforts.”

    NAHCON Chairman, Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman, confirmed that the cause of the fire has not yet been officially communicated to the commission by the relevant Saudi authorities.

    “We thank Allah that at the time of the incident, most of the pilgrims were in Mina. Only two elderly women, who were unable to travel due to health issues, were in the building, and they were unharmed,” Professor Usman said.

    According to him, only six rooms were affected in the incident, with damage limited to a few personal belongings such as bags. When I heard the news, I rushed to the scene to assess the situation. Alhamdulillah, no lives were lost,” he said.

  • Eid-El-Kabir: Barau calls for unity, support for needy

    Eid-El-Kabir: Barau calls for unity, support for needy

    Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, on Thursday, rejoiced with Muslims in the country over the Eid-El-Kabir celebration, emphasising the importance of unity among the citizens.

    Barau, who made the call in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, urged Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity and the country’s progress.

    Senator Barau, who is the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the well-being of the country and to offer their full support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that the President is genuinely working for peace and socio-economic prosperity of the Nation.

    “I wish Muslims, and indeed all Nigerians, a memorable Eid-El-Kabir. This season reminds us to obey Allah’s instructions, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim. True Muslims should adhere to peace, tolerance, justice and charity.

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    “In the spirit of this season, irrespective of our faith, let us rededicate and commit ourselves to the dreams and aspirations of building a strong, united, and economically sound country.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated strong leadership and genuine commitment in addressing our country’s challenges. In the last two years, he has succeeded to a considerable extent in tackling our security challenges and stimulating our economy. By the grace of God, the fruit of the efforts will benefit all. We are on the path to prosperity,” he said.

    To consolidate the successes recorded under this administration, Senator Barau said the National Assembly will continue to formulate necessary legislations to support the President in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to restore the country’s glorious days.

  • Senate committee chair, others seek action on health coverage

    Senate committee chair, others seek action on health coverage

    The chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Dr, Ipalibo Harry-Banigo has called for urgent action to accelerate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and build Nigeria’s health sovereignty through public-private collaboration.

    She described UCH as an absolute necessity.

    Harry-Banigo spoke on Tuesday at the 2025 Healthcare Conference hosted by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) in collaboration with WHX Lagos.

    Highlighting chronic underfunding, service fragmentation, and brain drain, Senator Harry-Banigo said meaningful collaboration, not outsourcing, between government and private health players is vital to scaling innovation, improving rural access, and boosting efficiency.

    She outlined key legislative priorities, including expanding digital health systems, launching a national stillbirth data dashboard, securing energy subsidies for hospitals, and pushing for extended maternity leave.

    She also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening health insurance for vulnerable populations and enforcing ethical international recruitment practices for Nigerian health workers.

    Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, emphasised the urgent need to integrate private healthcare providers into Nigeria’s national insurance framework to achieve UHC.

    Oloriegbe highlighted ongoing reforms under the NHIA Act, including plans to accredit private facilities and leverage technology to expand access, especially for vulnerable populations.

    He also advocated for an Executive Order to enforce mandatory employer health insurance compliance.

    Similarly, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the HFN, Mrs. Bola Adesola, emphasised that collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility are critical to strengthening the country’s healthcare system.

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    The President of the HFN, Njide Ndili, warned that shrinking international aid demands local innovation and leadership, and outlined HFN’s priorities through 2028: strengthening primary care through PPPs, boosting local manufacturing, enabling digital health, and unlocking private investment to build a resilient health system.

    Speaking on “Quality as the Cornerstone of UHC: Strengthening The Healthcare,” outgoing Medical Director of FMC Ebute-Metta, Dr. Adedamola Dada, warned that expanding healthcare access without prioritising quality is “dangerous and wasteful

    He stressed that Nigeria must shift from accepting substandard services to demanding evidence-based, equitable, and integrated care.

    Dr. Dada emphasised that quality healthcare boosts trust, utilisation, and health outcomes, and called for reduced out-of-pocket spending, stronger governance, investment in infrastructure, and lessons from countries like Thailand and India, where quality reforms improved access and efficiency.

  • Senate panel hails establishment of new universities

    Senate panel hails establishment of new universities

    The Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing more federal universities.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Muntari Dandutse, gave the commendation during a public hearing on three bills for the establishment and amendment of Acts of some federal institutions across the country on Wednesday.

    The bills are: A bill to provide for the upgrade of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, to the Federal University of Technology, Asaba, Delta State, Federal College of Education (Special) Karaye, Kano State (Establishment) Bill and Federal University of Education Gumel, Jigawa (Establishment) Bill.

    Dandutse said: “I want to sincerely appreciate the President for his efforts in moving the educational sector forward in this country”.

    According to Dandutse, the three bills are crucial to the development of Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

    He added that the bills reflected Nigeria’s collective aspirations to expand access to higher education and enhance the quality of training across institutions.

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    “The Federal University of Technology Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to amend key provisions in the principal Act to align it with contemporary realities and global best practices.

    “This amendment is crucial in strengthening the operational frameworks of our universities of technology and ensuring they fulfill their mandates in research, innovation, and manpower development.

    “The Federal College of Education (Special), Karaye, Kano State (Establishment) Bill, 2024 proposes the establishment of a specialised institution dedicated to inclusive education.

    “This is with a focus on training professionals equipped to work with persons with special needs, a significant step toward addressing the educational gap for differently-abled individuals and promoting inclusive growth.

    “The Federal University of Education, Gumel, Jigawa State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 aims to upgrade teacher education and provide a platform for advanced learning in pedagogy and curriculum development.”

    The chairman assured that the committee was fully committed to legislative interventions that were evidence-based, participatory, and responsive to the needs of citizens.

    President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio declared the event open saying the gathering was a testament to the Senate’s commitment to transparency, accountability and inclusive governance in shaping the future of Nigeria’s educational sector.

    Akpabio who was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, said that education plays a pivotal role in driving national development and equipping youths with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed and compete globally.

    “The bills under consideration before us today are crucial to the growth and development of our educational system and they seek to address some of the pressing challenges facing our tertiary institutions.”

    He assured that the Senate remained committed to promoting quality education and ensuring institutions meet global standards.

    “We recognise the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving these goals,” he said.

    Senator Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta North) sponsored  the bill to provide for the upgrade of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba to the Federal University of Technology, Asaba.

    He said that the bill was rooted in a clear and urgent national need-to expand access to quality, technology-driven education.

    “And to bridge the existing regional gap in the distribution of federal universities of technology.

    “The South-south geopolitical zone, in spite of its vast contributions to Nigeria’s economy, particularly in oil, gas and manufacturing, currently has no Federal University of Technology.

    “This bill aims to correct that imbalance by transforming a long-standing institution with strong technical foundations into a full-fledged university equipped to meet Nigeria’s 21st-century development needs.”

  • Senate passes N1.8trn 2025 FCT budget

    Senate passes N1.8trn 2025 FCT budget

    The Senate on Wednesday passed N1,814,073,708,392 as the Federal Capital Territory Statutory Appropriation Bill for 2025.

    The passage of the budget followed the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on FCT and FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters by the Senate during plenary.

    Senator Bomai Ibrahim Mohammed (Yobe South) presented the report.

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    Of the amount, the sum of

    N150,353,906,168.00 only, is for Personnel Costs; and the sum of N352,029,677,448.00 only, is for Overhead Costs; while the balance of N1,311,690,124,776.00 only, is for Capital Projects; for the Service of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for the Financial Year Commencing From 1st January and Ending on 31st December, 2025.