Bill Sponsor: Senator Jimoh Ibrahim. Bill Progress: PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
The Nigerian Senate has reached a pivotal moment in the legislative process concerning the Bitumen Development Commission Bill, 2025 (SB. 07). Originally sponsored by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim from Ondo South, the bill aims to establish a commission dedicated to regulating, exploring, and developing the country’s abundant bitumen reserves, estimated to be the second-largest in the world at approximately 42 billion tonnes.
Despite this vast potential, Nigeria’s bitumen resources have largely remained untouched. The establishment of the proposed commission is expected to unlock these reserves, diversify the economy, and generate new job opportunities across the nation.
Following its second reading in the Senate, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development. The committee engaged in rigorous review processes, including public hearings and stakeholder submissions, to refine the legislation.
Recently, the Senate formally received and adopted the committee’s report on the bill, indicating that the committee has completed its tasks and is now ready for further legislative action. The Senate subsequently passed the bill during its third reading on July 2, 2025, signaling significant support for the initiative.
The next step involves transmitting the bill to the House of Representatives for concurrence. If approved by the lower chamber and signed by the President, the bill will become law.
This legislative development is widely viewed as a crucial step toward reducing Nigeria’s economic dependence on crude oil by tapping into the country’s rich solid mineral resources. The active involvement of committee members, including Senator Diket Plang from Plateau Central, underscores the effort to promote a more diversified economic framework within the nation.
