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Tag: Speaker Tajudeen Abbas

  • Abbas: corruption undermining our growth

    Abbas: corruption undermining our growth

    House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has said that despite making several laws to deter citizens from acts of malfeasance, corruption has continued to drag the nation’s development backwards.

    Abbas said this at a public hearing on three Bills to strengthen anti-corruption agencies in the country.

    The Speaker, who was represented by Deputy Minority Leader Sani Madaki, stated that corruption has had the most negative impact on our country’s development trajectory since independence in 1960.

    He noted that the ugly trend has persisted despite the existence of legislation that provides for anti-corruption agencies and empowers them to eradicate the scourge from society and ensure that Nigerians enjoy the benefits of their investments in democracy.

    Abbas said the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) were established as critical instruments in Nigeria’s fight against corruption and serve as the watchdogs that enforce ethical standards among public officials and ensure that public the office is not used for personal enrichment to the detriment of the citizenry.

    He said: “As our democracy matures and our legal and governance landscape evolves, the enabling framework guiding these institutions must be revisited and strengthened to meet contemporary challenges.

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    “The opportunity provided by this public hearing enables all of us to critically examine the proposed amendments and evaluate them against our collective national interest.

    “As you are aware, corruption has had the most negative impact on our country’s development trajectory since independence in 1960. This is despite the existence of legislation that provided for anti-corruption agencies and empowered them to make every effort to ensure the eradication of this scourge from our society and guarantee that Nigerians enjoyed the benefits of their investments in democracy.

    “This is a vital platform for robust dialogue between the Legislature and stakeholders, including legal experts, civil society, government officials, and members of the public. Your contributions will enrich the legislative process by bringing diverse perspectives, expert insights, and practical recommendations for the creation of effective and just legislation.

    “We must collectively ensure that the amended Act fortifies our anti-corruption architecture, promotes quick and fair adjudication of cases, and sustains public confidence in the institutions mandated to uphold integrity in the public sector. Let us engage and dialogue for the good governance of our country.”

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, Prince Kayode Akiolu, said the CCB, the CCT, and the ICC have long been frontline institutions in Nigeria’s efforts to promote public integrity and accountability.

    He said: “Over time, the legal framework governing these bodies has encountered various challenges that have hindered the effectiveness of their operations and, by extension, the fight against corruption.

    “These Bills to amend the Acts are a necessary and timely response aimed at addressing identified gaps and weaknesses. Our objectives include enhancing the operational independence of these institutions, improving their investigative and adjudicatory powers, and ensuring that due process and fair hearing are respected in the handling of cases involving public officers.

    “As members of the Committee on Anti-Corruption, we are fully aware that the success of this Bill depends largely on a comprehensive and transparent consultative process.

    “That is why we have invited a broad range of stakeholders to share their insights, concerns, and recommendations. We are committed to incorporating your valuable inputs into the final version of the law to ensure that it serves both justice and national interest.”

    According to him, while corruption undermines development, erodes public trust, and weakens democratic institutions, strengthening the CCB, the CBT, and the ICPC is crucial not only for combating corruption in the public sector but also for restoring Nigerians’ faith in governance.

  • Abbas: we’ll ensure transparency in naira-for-crude policy

    Abbas: we’ll ensure transparency in naira-for-crude policy

    House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has said the House is committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, efficiency, and effective implementation of the Federal Government’s naira for crude policy.

    Abbas spoke through Deputy Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda at the inauguration of the ad hoc committee on the implementation and oversight of the policy yesterday in Abuja.

    The Speaker stated that the development was imperative, as it marked a critical step towards ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in one of the most significant policy initiatives in Nigeria’s energy sector.

    He stated that the committee is responsible for overseeing the implementation, effectiveness, and inter-agency coordination of the Naira-for-Crude Oil Policy.

    Abbas added: “Its work is vital to ensuring that the objectives of the policy are met and that any gaps in execution are identified and corrected. The House expects nothing less than a thorough, impartial, and well-documented process that will contribute to the overall stability of our economy.”

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    The Speaker noted that the Naira-for-Crude Oil Policy carries significant implications for Nigeria’s foreign exchange stability, revenue generation, and long-term energy security.

    According to him, a thorough examination of its framework will enable the committee to determine whether or not the policy is achieving its intended objectives of identifying any gaps in its implementation and highlighting areas where adjustments may be required.

    He said: “Such an assessment will provide the House with clearer guidance in exercising its legislative commitment. We trust they will deliver results that meet the expectations of this chamber and the hopes of the people we serve.”

    The Speaker assured fellow Nigerians that the 10th House of Representatives remained dedicated to advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, with particular emphasis on tackling the economic challenges that continue to weigh heavily on the citizens.

    Abbas said: “Our resolve is to ensure that the legislature serves as a true partner in progress by aligning its priorities with the aspirations of the people and the policy direction of the government.

    “We are committed to working collaboratively across party lines and with all relevant stakeholders to strengthen laws and policies that promote sustainable growth, enhance the welfare of citizens, and safeguard the nation’s resources for present and future generations.

    “Stakeholder engagement will be central to this assignment, as meaningful results cannot be achieved in isolation. The involvement of government agencies, industry operators, civil society, and other key actors will give the committee a broad and balanced perspective. Such collaboration will help shape recommendations that are realistic, sustainable, and aligned with the national interest, while also strengthening public confidence in the work of the House.

    “The task before this ad hoc committee requires diligence, courage, and a clear sense of purpose. I urge members of the committee to carry out their work with integrity, objectivity, and dedication, bearing in mind that their deliberations and recommendations will shape the course of this policy and influence the well-being of millions of Nigerians.

    “In doing so, they will strengthen our legislative processes and contribute to the progress of the nation. The House has full confidence in their competence and in the success of this initiative. Your partnership is crucial in ensuring that the objectives of this exercise are fully realised.”

    Committee Chairman Boniface Emerengwa said Nigeria is blessed with abundant crude oil reserves, but the benefits of this resource have not always translated into maximum value for our people.

    He said: “The volatility of foreign exchange markets, over-dependence on the dollar, and the persistent challenges facing our economy make it imperative that we explore innovative ways to strengthen our currency, reduce external vulnerabilities, and secure long-term benefits for Nigerians.

    “The Naira-for-Crude Oil Policy is one such innovation. It seeks to provide a framework where transactions in our crude oil sector can increasingly be denominated in Naira rather than in foreign currencies. The shift, if properly structured, will not only boost confidence in the naira but also reduce pressure on our foreign reserves, stimulate domestic economic activities, and enhance Nigeria’s sovereignty over its resources.”

    According to him, the task before the committee is both urgent and significant.

    Abbas listed the committee’s mandate as: to critically examine the feasibility, sustainability, and potential impact of the Naira-for-Crude Oil Policy; engage with stakeholders across government, the Oil and Gas industry, financial institutions, and international partners and identify possible risks, challenges, and opportunities inherent in this policy shift.

    The Speaker also said the committee is saddled with making clear evidence-based recommendations that will guide the House in ensuring that this policy, if adopted, will serve the best interest of our economy and people, as envisaged by the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.

    He said the committee was aware that bold reforms often come with skepticism, saying history teaches us that nations that thrive are those that dare to innovate, adapt, and take ownership of their economic destiny.

  • Waste of time

    Waste of time

    • Reps’ proposed bill to make voting compulsory is legislative vanity

    A bill is reportedly being considered in the House of Representatives to make it compulsory for every Nigerian who has attained 18 years and above to vote in elections. If it passes, the bill will amend certain sections of the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all Nigerians of eligible age.

    House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas sponsored the proposed legislation titled “Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make it mandatory for all Nigerians of majority age to vote in all national and state elections, and for related matters.” The bill seeks alteration of Sections 9, 10, 12 and 47 of the Electoral Act 2022, and prescribes penalty for any Nigerian of voting age who fails to cast his/her ballot in elections. Among others, it also seeks to mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  to compile a voter register having names of all Nigerians who are 18 years and above and are, thus, eligible to vote in elections.

    The explanatory memorandum says the bill is aimed at addressing “large-scale apathy towards performing a vital civic duty in electing Nigerian leaders.” It added: “The percentage of registered voters that present themselves for actual voting is abysmally low and requires parliamentary attention.”

    Whereas the Electoral Act 2022 in Section 9 requires INEC to compile, maintain, and update on a continuous basis, a voter register bearing names of all persons “(a) entitled to vote in any federal, state, local government or Federal Capital Territory area council election;” the proposed bill seeks to alter the clause to stipulate persons “(a) who have attained the majority age of 18 and are entitled to vote in any federal, state, local government or Federal Capital Territory Area Council election.”

    Also, the proposed law seeks addition of a new sub-section (4) to Section 47 that will provide as follows: “(a) It shall be mandatory for all registered voters who have attained the majority age of 18 and above to vote in all national and state elections;

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    “(b) A person who has attained the majority age of 18 years who refuses to perform his civic duty to vote commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not more than N100,000 or imprisonment for a term not more than six months.”

    The bid by the Representatives comes against a backdrop of dismal level of voter turnout in Nigerian elections. Out of 93.47million persons registered as voters before the 2023 general election, only 24.9million voted in the presidential and National Assembly polls, representing a meagre 26.72 percent voter turnout – the lowest since the country’s return to democracy in 1999. Compared to 34.74 percent voter turnout in the 2019 general election, there was a decline by 8.03 percent, and it marked a far cry from 50 percent voter turnout that INEC had said it was targeting for the poll.

    There is doubtless cause to be worried over the trend of voter turnout in Nigerian elections. But the remedy the lawmakers are proposing smacks of legislative vanity and an idle expedition. Not that compulsory voting is unheard of in the practice of democracy across the world. Countries like Australia, Belgium, Brazil and Singapore, among others, are known to have adopted mandatory voting at some point of their nationhood history. Others like Austria, Cyprus, Italy and the Netherlands once practised and have dumped mandatory voting.

    Proponents of compulsory voting say it should boost system legitimacy, since democratically elected governments are more legitimate when higher proportions of the population participate. Opponents argue, however, that making voting compulsory intrinsically negates the freedom of choice involved in democracy. Besides, it has been proven that forcing people to vote results in high number of invalid and blank votes, as people are only dragged out to polling centres when they aren’t really keen on making reasonable electoral choices.

    We argue that the bid by Reps is sheer hypocritical exertion, considering that many of the lawmakers pushing for mandatory voting at elections are not always available at legislative sessions to vote on bills and motions as is their statutory mandate. In any event, the proposed bill does not address the question of why registered voters don’t show up at elections. The answer lies between the level of trust people have in the electoral process and the quality of governance they get from those voted into power, but the proposed bill makes no attempt at addressing those issues.

    Besides, the bill seems oblivious of the logistical nightmare it would pose to capture every Nigerian from age 18 in the voter roll, since voter registration must also now be made compulsory; and that is not mentioning the unwieldy logistics of prosecuting violators of the new provisions, which expectedly will be humongous in number.

    While it is highly desirable that voters turn out at elections, it remains the duty of political players to get out the votes through motivation by good governance delivery, not by the spurious bill the lawmakers are working at.

  • Abbas canvasses common, standardised, updated curriculum

    Abbas canvasses common, standardised, updated curriculum

    Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has called for the implementation of common and standardised examinations across universities and a complete overhaul of outdated curricula that align with global realities and industry demands.

    The Speaker stated this when he delivered the convocation lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

    He noted that the absence of a standardised examination framework in universities has led to inconsistencies in academic standards and graduate outcomes.

    “The time has come for all Universities to have common examinations, at least at the graduating level; let there be one common examination for the various courses being done. That is where we would be able to know whether the grades being portrayed by some universities are really true and if they can stand the test of time.

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    “The absence of standardized examination has contributed to varying degrees of academic rigour and quality undermining the credibility of Nigeria degrees in the global job market. Standardized testing will not only ensure uniformity in academic standards but also provide a fair and transparent mechanism for assessing students’ competence, thereby enhancing the employability of graduates.

    “A 2:1 in one university can be a third class in another because the grading systems differ significantly. We need a common examination, at least at the graduating level, to ensure fairness and transparency in assessing students’ competence,” he asserted.

    The Speaker also highlighted the outdated curriculum prevalent in universities, which fails to equip graduates with relevant technical and vocational skills adding that several Nigerian university graduates face the challenges of employability at the global job market due to the lack of alignment of the curriculum with industry requirements.

    He emphasised that updating curricula to include emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and data science is essential for positioning Nigeria’s graduates competitively on the global stage.

    “Many academic programs are still rooted in colonial-era educational frameworks, emphasizing theoretical knowledge over practical skills. This has resulted in skill gaps, with only 17% of graduates possessing the competencies employers require,” he explained.

    He pointed out that the global job market increasingly demands critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy which are skills often lacking among Nigerian graduates due to an education system that prioritizes paper qualifications over practical knowledge.

    Abbas noted that another critical issue affecting Nigerian universities is the need for increased investment in research and development, pointing out that the country currently spends only 0.13 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on research, which is far below the global average.

    “University research centres requires more funding to bridge these gaps. Public-private partnerships can play a vital role in advancing research and development,” the Speaker recommended.

    The Speaker pointed to the need for the strengthening of technical education, acknowledging the bias against technical and vocational education as he emphasized the importance of strengthening this sector to meet industry demands.

    He noted that many university graduates end up seeking vocational skills post-graduation, a situation that could have been avoided if technical education had been prioritised.

  • Speaker to Wike: you have made Tinubu’s administration proud

    Speaker to Wike: you have made Tinubu’s administration proud

    Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on Tuesday applauded Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike for developmental projects within the nation’s capital.

    Abbas said Wike has made the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu proud.

    He spoke at the official flag – off ceremony of the construction of access road from Rind Road 1 by N16 judges quarters construction of internal roads within judges quarters in Katampe district.

    The Speaker said Nigeria, like many other developing nations, has an infrastructure deficit.

    According to recent estimates, he said Nigeria needs to invest about $3 trillion over the next 30 years to close the infrastructure gap and achieve the level of development required for sustained economic growth.

    Abbas said the road network, power supply, housing, healthcare, and education sectors are some of the areas in urgent need of attention.

    Abbas, who was represented by his Deputy, Benjamin Kalu said: “I would like to take this moment to specially commend Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, CON, for his transformative leadership since assuming office. The Minister has hit the ground running, initiating projects that address the critical needs of this growing city. From road construction to urban renewal programmes, his dedication to enhancing the infrastructure of the FCT is evident. We have witnessed several flag-offs, not just as ceremonial acts, but as milestones in the commitment to make Abuja a world-class city. I commend Wike for his transformative leadership. You have made us proud.

    “The ongoing rehabilitation of major roads, the clearing of illegal structures, and the focus on environmental sustainability are all testaments to the Honourable Minister’s vision of an Abuja that is not only beautiful but functional and efficient. I am confident that with the completion of this access road and other ongoing projects, residents and visitors alike will experience the positive impacts of these developments. 

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    ”As the legislature of the FCT, the National Assembly has an important role to play in supporting these development efforts. The 10th National Assembly, which I am privileged to lead, is fully committed to collaborating with the Executive to ensure that the FCT receives the necessary legislative backing to facilitate infrastructure development. We are ready to consider and pass laws that will further enhance the governance structure of the FCT and approve appropriations that will make meaningful infrastructure projects, such as this road construction, a reality.”