On the 11th of February 2025, the Senate convened its plenary session at 11:43 AM, commencing with the recitation of the National Anthem. The President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, led the prayers, after which the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 6th February 2025 were reviewed and approved. Subsequently, oaths were administered, petitions laidannouncements made, and letters read.
Presentation of Bills for First Reading
The following bills were presented for first reading:
1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) (Alteration)
Bill, 2025 (SB 694)
2. Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB 695)
3. Federal Medical Centers Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB 696)
4. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended (Alteration) Bill, 2025 (SB 697)
5. Federal Road Safety Commission Act, 2007 (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB 698)
Consideration of a Bill
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), moved for the consideration of:
• A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act to Establish the Federal University of Agriculture, Abak, Akwa Ibom State, and for Other Related Matters, 2025 (SB 675)
Consideration of a Report
The Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, led by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), resumed consideration of its report on:
• The David Umahi University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebony State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB 365), previously adjourned at Clause 5.
The Senate, however, directed the Committee to refine the clauses and submit a final report within two weeks
Adjournment
The Senate adjourned at exactly 1:42 PM and will reconvene on Wednesday, 12th February 2025, for further legislative activities, while committee meetings proceed as scheduled.
On the 12th of February, the Senate plenary session commenced at 11:46 AM with the recitation of the National Anthem. The President of the Senate, Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio,
GCON, led the chamber in prayers. The Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 11th
February 2025 were reviewed and adopted following the administration of oaths. Additionally, announcements were made, and petitions were laid.
Presentation of Bills for First Reading
The following bills were presented for first reading:
1. Public Infrastructure Maintenance Bill, 2025 (SB 699)
2. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) (Alteration) Bill. 2025 (SB 700)
3. Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB 701)
4. Federal Medical Centers Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB 702)
5. North Central Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB 703)
Motion: Re-Committal of Bills to the Committee of the Whole
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), moved for the re-committal of certain bills to the Committee of the Whole, recalling that the following Regional Commission Bills had already been passed by both the Senate and House of Representatives and forwarded to the Clerk of the National Assembly for onward transmission to the President, Commander-in-Chief for assent:
1. North-West Development Commission (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025
2. South-West Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2025
3. South-East Development Commission (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025
4. National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2025
It was observed that funding clauses within these bills appeared to contradict
Section 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended). The Senate, recognizing its obligation to uphold constitutional provisions, invoked Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (As Amended) to rescind its decision on the affected clauses and recommit them to the
Presentation and Consideration of Report
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary), Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Rivers West), presented the committee’s report on the Orthopedic Hospital Management Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB 364), which seeks to establish an Orthopedic Hospital in Koro, Bauchi State. Following deliberations, the Third Reading of the bill was taken and passed.
Adjournment
After thorough deliberations and resolutions, the Senate adjourned at 1:13 PM to allow committees to proceed with their budgetary review activities. Plenary is scheduled to resume on Thursday, 13th February 2025, at 11:00 AM.
The Senate plenary session commenced at 12:03 PM with the recitation of the National Anthem, led by the President of the Senate, Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON. This was followed by prayers. The Senate then reviewed and adopted the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 12th February 2025. Oaths were administered, and announcements were made
Presentation of Bills for First Reading
The following bills were presented for First Reading:
1. Federal Medical Centers Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB 490)
2. Customs and Excise Management (Pharmaceutical Inputs Duty Exemption) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB 704)
3. Nigerian Citizenship Bill, 2025 (SB 705)
4. Orthopedic Hospitals Management Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB 706)
5. Investment Assurances Bill, 2025 (SB 711)
Motion: Relegation of the North East in Road Rehabilitation Funding
Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) raised a motion of urgent national importance, drawing attention to the alleged marginalization of the North East in the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) allocation for road rehabilitation and reconstruction. He pointed out that out of the N4.2 trillion allocated for major road projects nationwide, only N19 billion was designated for the North East region, emphasizing the need for equitable infrastructure distribution.
Several Senators supported the motion, highlighting concerns over regional disparities. Senator Solomon Olamilekan (Ogun West) provided additional context, explaining that the N4.2 trillion allocation primarily covered two major coastal roads prioritized by the current administration:
• Sokoto-Lagos Coastal Road
• Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road
He further clarified that President Bola Tinubu had reallocated N500 billion from the budget to rehabilitate over 160 dilapidated roads across the country, ensuring that the North East would benefit from this initiative.
Resolutions Adopted by the Senate:
1. Commended the Federal Government (FG) for its commitment to infrastructure development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
2. Urged the F to prioritize the rehabilitation of all deplorable roads nationwide.
3. Called on the F to extend the Renewed Hope Agenda to the North East region to address infrastructure deficiencies.
Orders of the Day: Consideration of Report
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) presented a Bill to amend the North Central Development Commission Act (SB 703), proposing representation from all six geopolitical zones to enhance inclusivity.
Key Contributions:
• Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, CFR, emphasized the timeliness of the amendment, stating that it corrects anomalies in the Act and enables the North Central Development Commission to function effectively.
• He congratulated the people of the North Central region and Nigerians at large for the progress made.
Following deliberations, the Bill passed its Third Reading and was subsequently approved.
Presentation and Passage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill
The Senate Committee on Appropriation, chaired by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Yayi (Ogun West), presented its report on the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for the Senate to resolve into the Committee of Supply for further consideration of the 2025 Budget. The Bill was read for the Third Time and passed into law.
An elated Senate President, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, commended:
• Senator Solomon Olamilekan Yay and members of the Appropriation Committee for their dedication and accuracy in reviewing the budget.
• Senators for their commitment to ensuring a thorough, prudent, and timely passage of the budget.
Adjournment
Following deliberations, the Senate adjourned at 1:43 PM to allow committees to continue their budgetary review activities
The next plenary session is scheduled for Tuesday, 18th February 2025.
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