The Senate had a productive legislative day, adopting the votes and proceedings of the previous sitting and moving swiftly through a packed agenda that included the introduction of four new bills, the second reading of two significant pieces of legislation, and the passing of another. Notably, the Senate also confirmed the appointments of new officials for the National Population Commission (NPC).
New Bills Introduced
Four bills were successfully presented and passed for First Reading, marking the initial step in their legislative journey. These included:
- The Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 316), sponsored by Senator Jonah, Williams Eteng (Cross River Central).
- The West African Examination Council Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 917), sponsored by Senator Suleiman, Umar Sadik (Kwara North).
- The Nigerian Research Institutes Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 918), also sponsored by Senator Jonah, Williams Eteng (Cross River Central).
- The Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2025 (SB. 919), sponsored by Senator Siyako, Anthony Yaro (Gombe South).
Key Appointments Confirmed
The Senate approved the nominations submitted by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for the National Population Commission (NPC). Confirmed to serve as the Chairman and Commissioners were: Dr. Aminu Yusuf (Niger State), Kibu Joseph Haruna (Nasarawa State), and Tonga Betara Bularafa (Yobe State).
Bills Progress to Second Reading
Two bills were outlined for consideration and successfully taken on Second Reading:
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Act Amendment Bill (SB. 910): Sponsored by Sen. Umar, Shehu Buba (Bauchi South), this bill seeks to remove “Technology” from the university’s name, thereby converting it into a Non-specialised University. The Senate President has referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, directing them to report back to the Senate within one week.
- Nigeria Social Security Trust Fund Bill, 2025 (SB. 557): This pivotal bill, sponsored by Sen. Oluwole, Fasuyi Cyril (Ekiti North), aims to repeal the existing Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Act and the Employees’ Compensation Act. Its purpose is to enact a new framework to provide compensation for death, injury, disease, or disability arising out of or in the course of employment.
Bill Passed: Nigeria Mines Rangers Service
In a decisive move, the Senate received and considered the Report of the Committee on Solid Minerals Development on the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS) (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 253). Following deliberation, the bill was taken on Third Reading.
Landmark Concurrence: Life Imprisonment for Child Defilement
The Senate deliberated on a total of three bills for concurrence with the House of Representatives. A key highlight was the Senate’s clear and strong stand under the Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB. 151), where it was introduced and passed that any defilement of a minor in Nigeria will henceforth be punishable by life imprisonment.
The Senate also successfully completed the concurrence process for:
- The Federal Road Safety Corps Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB. 1401), which was introduced, read a second time, and passed.
- The Dietician Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB. 1114), which also completed its second and third readings and was passed.
However, the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery Oke-Igbo, Ondo State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB. 744) was stepped down for consideration on a subsequent legislative day.
