The Senate during Tuesday’s Plenary Session deliberated on the tragic Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, which claimed 25 lives. This painful loss reminds us of our responsibility to ensure that the men and women entrusted with protecting our country are provided with safe, reliable and properly maintained equipment.
Following a motion sponsored by Senator Osita Ngwu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, we resolved to undertake a comprehensive investigation into aircraft maintenance, operational safety standards and the budgetary provisions for maintaining our military aircraft.
The Senate has mandated its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to conduct a thorough four-week appraisal of an executive request from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reimburse the Yobe State Government ₦100.5 billion for the construction of the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport, Damaturu.
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to urgently approve and release allocations from the Ecological Fund to Cross River State to tackle severe gully erosion and deadly landslides that have claimed lives and displaced local communities.
Six bills were presented, taken and passed for first reading. They are:
- Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill, 2026 (SB.1072) sponsored by Sen. Barau Jibrin scaled First Reading.
- National Postgraduate Medical College Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (SB.1068) sponsored by Senate Leader, Sen. Bamidele, Michael Opeyemi scaled First Reading.
- National Research Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2026 (SB.1069) sponsored by Senate Leader, Sen. Bamidele, Michael Opeyemi scaled First Reading.
- Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) BIII, 2026 (SB.1065) sponsored by Sen. Danladi, valu-Anza scaled First Reading.
- Medical X-Ray and Imaging Practitioners Council (Establishment) Bill, 2026 (SB.1070) sponsored by Sen. Kalu, Orji Uzor scaled First Reading.
- Artificial Intelligence (Regulation & Responsible Use) Bill, 2026 (SB.1071) sponsored by Sen. Yar’adus, Abdulaziz Musa scaled First Reading.
Furthermore, the Senate has also passed a bill establishing a comprehensive legal and statutory framework for the newly upgraded Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano sponsored by The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin.
The Senate has officially called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to treat the escalating security threats and mass displacement of residents in Kebbi State as a top-priority national security and humanitarian crisis. The resolution comes in the wake of violent attacks by armed bandits fleeing intensified military campaigns in neighboring states.
Lastly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally transmitted an Executive Bill to the Senate seeking to repeal the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) Act, Cap. A4, LFN 2004, and establish in its place the National School of Government, Nigeria.
