By Abbanobi-Eku Onyekachi Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has made significant progress in advancing several bills during its latest plenary session. Two crucial bills have successfully scaled second reading, while multiple others have reached first reading.
Among the bills scaling second reading were: National Agency for Malaria Eradication Bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), this bill (SB. 172) aims to establish a national agency dedicated to eradicating malaria in Nigeria; Local Automobile Manufacturers and Indigenous Companies Bill, sponsored by Senator Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North), this bill (SB. 613) seeks to prioritize local automobile manufacturers and indigenous companies in procurement processes.
Several bills have successfully scaled first reading, including: Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill, sponsored by Senator Aminu, Abbas Iva, this bill (SB. 790) aims to amend the existing Federal Polytechnics Act and; National Commission on Environmental and Social Safeguarding (Establishment) Bill, by Senator Michael Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and Senator Peter Jiya (Niger South), this bill (SB. 772) seeks to establish a national commission focused on environmental and social safeguarding.
The rest were: National Universities Commission Act (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Jimoh (Ondo South), this bill (SB.778) aims to repeal and re-enact the National Universities Commission Act; Armed Forces Act (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua (Katsina Central), this bill (SB. 791) seeks to repeal and re-enact the Armed Forces Act; and Nigeria Maritime Academy (Establishment) Bill, from Senator Sanni Eshilokun (Lagos Central), this bill (SB. 792) aims to establish a Nigeria Maritime Academy.
The bills demonstrate the Senate’s commitment to addressing critical issues affecting the nation, including public health, economic development, education, and national security.
