Category: Legislative

National Assembly backs NITDA to supercharge Nigeria’s digital revolution

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Assembly’s Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, chaired by Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, has reinforced its commitment to Nigeria’s digital transformation through an oversight visit to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja. The visit underscored the legislature’s focus on transparency, accountability, and effective governance in the nation’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem. The delegation was received by NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, who briefed the lawmakers on the Agency’s strategic initiatives, key programmes, and ongoing efforts to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks across the country. DG Abdullahi highlighted…

Zero funding threatens NDLEA fight against drug abuse – NASS Joint Committee

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Drugs and Narcotics has raised serious concerns over the zero capital release to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 2025, warning that the agency’s ability to combat rising drug abuse nationwide is at risk without urgent financial intervention. The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo and co-chaired by Hon. Abass Agboworin Adigun, reviewed the NDLEA’s 2026 budget proposal and its 2025 performance following a briefing by the agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna. Speaking after a closed-door session, Hon. Adigun highlighted the critical…

Reps approve NHRC 2026 budget, laud 2025 performance

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights has approved the 2026 budget proposal of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), commended the agency for what it described as an impressive performance in the 2025 fiscal year. The approval followed the presentation of the commission’s 2026 estimates by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), during a budget defence session at the National Assembly. Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abiola Makinde, expressed satisfaction with the commission’s utilisation of its 2025 allocation and gave the nod to the proposed 2026 budget.…

Reps commend Health Ministry, Back ₦224.36bn 2026 Budget, demand timely BHCPF release

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives has commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for its performance, particularly in the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), while backing its proposed ₦224.36 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year. The commendation came on Monday in Abuja during the presentation of the Ministry’s 2026 Headquarters Budget Proposal to the Joint House Committees on Health Services. Presenting the proposal, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the Ministry proposed a total estimate of ₦224.36…

2026 Budget: Senate demands stronger funding for Anti-Trafficking, Disability Inclusion, Elderly Welfare

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate Committee on Special Duties has called for increased funding for key social protection agencies, citing rising human trafficking cases, inadequate data on persons with disabilities, and insufficient welfare support for senior citizens. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, made the demand on Tuesday during the 2026 budget defence session and review of the 2024/2025 performance of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), and the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC). Expressing concern over the…

NASS joint committee rejects Nigerian Air Force budget, calls for urgent review

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Joint Committee on the Nigerian Air Force has rejected the service’s proposed budget, citing its inadequacy to sustain the level of firepower required to combat insurgency across the country at this critical time. According to the Committee, the proposed allocation fell short of meeting the operational demands of the Air Force, particularly amid ongoing security challenges. Consequently, the Committee resolved to form a mini-committee tasked with engaging the Federal Government, the Budget Office, and relevant legislative committees to develop a more realistic and sustainable budget framework. Speaking to reporters,…

ICPC Chairman appeals to Senate for increased funding amid staff kidnapping, low morale

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, has called on the Nigerian Senate to significantly increase the commission’s budget, warned that inadequate funding is crippling anti-corruption efforts and endangering staff. Dr. Aliyu made the appeal on Tuesday during ICPC’s 2026 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, revealing that a commission staffer was recently kidnapped and remained in captivity, highlighting the risks faced by operatives. He told lawmakers that the commission continues nationwide operations despite severe…

Oyetola presents ₦10.5bn 2026 Marine and Blue Economy Budget, flags funding gaps threatening Trade ,Food Security

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, on Tuesday presented a ₦10,499,984,667.10 budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year, expressed concern that the allocation is grossly insufficient to effectively execute the ministry’s wide-ranging mandate critical to Nigeria’s trade, transport efficiency, and food security. Oyetola made the revelation while defending the budget before a joint sitting of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport and House of Representatives committees on Ports and Harbours; Maritime Safety, Education and Administration; Shipping Services; Inland Waterways; and Ocean and Fisheries. The proposed…

JUST IN : Senate amends Electoral Act, endorses Electronic Transmission of results with safeguards

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Senate has amended its Votes and Proceedings of the Wednesday, February 4 plenary, clarified its position on Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, following intense public controversy over the transmission of election results. The amendment was reached after a motion moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, which was subsequently adopted by the Red Chamber. The clarification came amid nationwide protests and growing public pressure on lawmakers to ensure real-time electronic transmission of election results. Earlier, protesters had stormed the National Assembly,…

BREAKING: Senate reconstitutes Electoral Act Conference committee amid rising protests

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Senate has reconstituted a 12-member Electoral Act Conference Committee as part of renewed efforts to harmonise proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, amid mounting public protests over electoral reforms. Senator Simon Bako Lalong was appointed chairman of the committee, which is mandated to work with its counterpart in the House of Representatives to reconcile differences in the amendment bill and produce a unified version for passage by the National Assembly. The move is seen as a critical step toward strengthening Nigeria’s electoral legal framework ahead of future elections,…