Category: Legislative

Senate Committee on Science and Technology reports major gains in 2025, highlights funding challenges

Lukman Laleye Babalola

As 2025 come to a close, the Senate Committee on Science and Technology has underscored its achievements over the year while drawing attention to funding constraints that have affected project implementation.   The committee’s chairman, Senator Iya Abbas revealed that the President’s approval of Nigeria’s first national satellite project represented a major milestone, expected to strengthen the country’s security, weather forecasting, and technological capabilities.   “The satellite will be a game-changer for national security and developmental planning,” he noted.   In addition, the National Board for Technology Incubation has successfully…

Senate Diaspora Committee sets agenda as Senator Bassey assumes leadership

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs has outlined key priorities for its legislative and oversight work as Senator Aniekan Bassey formally chaired his first committee meeting since his appointment. The session, held at the National Assembly, focused on strengthening Nigeria’s engagement with its citizens abroad and addressing longstanding concerns affecting the diaspora community.   Senator Bassey said the meeting was convened to familiarize himself with members and set a unified direction for the committee’s tasks. He noted that the committee is widely misunderstood, as many assumed its mandate revolved…

FG reviews NAFDAC’s planned sachet alcohol ban as SGF seeks Health Ministry’s clarification

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government is re-evaluating the proposed enforcement of the ban on sachet alcoholic beverages and 200ml PET bottle spirits, earlier slated for December 2025, following a request for detailed clarification from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.   This followed a formal correspondence dated 1st December 2025, issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) through the Permanent Secretary (General Services), M.S. Danjuma. The letter referenced concerns raised by the House Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control regarding NAFDAC’s…

Senate moves to strengthen Social Security for Nigerian Workers, holds Public hearing on new Bill

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja The Senate has taken a significant step toward providing stronger social security and improved welfare for Nigerian workers as the Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity on Monday, December 1, 2025, held a one-day public hearing on the Nigeria Social Security Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2025. In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Diket Plank (APC, Plateau Central), said the engagement was crucial to shaping a more inclusive, forward-looking legal framework. He assured participants that their concerns and recommendations would be reflected in the…

Deputy Senate President charges security agencies to halt Bandits’ attacks in Kano LGAs

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has called on security agencies to intensify operations against marauding bandits terrorising communities in Tsanyawa and Shanono Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kano State.   Reacting to a recent attack in Yankamaye village, Tsanyawa LGA, on Saturday night, Senator Jibrin appealed for prompt action to rescue kidnapped victims and curb further incursions.   In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the Deputy Senate President condemned the violence, noted that the attack, which left…

NDARPN dismisses House Committee’s ₦1 Trillion claim, affirms PIA implementation is on track

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger Delta Accountability and Resource Protection Network (NDARPN) has challenged recent claims by the House of Representatives Committee on the South South Development Commission that Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) funds have left the region shortchanged by over ₦1 trillion.   In a statement on Friday, NDARPN President Comrade Ebikabo West described the committee’s assertions as “sensational, misleading and potentially damaging to the investment stabilisation the PIA has steadily cultivated.”   West stressed that the implementation of the PIA by relevant regulatory bodies, particularly regarding host community development funds…

Senate confirms Ayo Omidiran as FCC Chairman, clears 37 Commissioners …Akpabio hails Onyesoh’s outstanding leadership in screening process

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate has confirmed Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran as Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), alongside 37 Commissioners representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in a major step toward revitalising the agency responsible for equitable representation in federal appointments.   The confirmation followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, chaired by Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh (Rivers East), which screened all nominees on November 13.   Presenting the report, Senator Onyesoh said every nominee appeared before the…

Akpabio leads Senate delegation to vondole with family of late Senator Ezea

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday led a delegation of Senators to the home of the late Senator Okechukwu Ezea in Abuja to pay their condolences following his passing on November 18, 2025.   Tuesday’s plenary was earlier adjourned to enable Senators to personally visit the family of the Enugu North lawmaker, who served in the 10th Senate until his death. Addressing the family, Akpabio expressed the Senate’s shared grief and solidarity, describing the loss as sudden and deeply felt.   “It is never easy to lose…

NUJ FCT Council celebrates Hon Muktar Aliyu Betara at 59

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council, has extended warm felicitations to Rt. Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara on the occasion of his 59th birthday. In a congratulatory message issued by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Grace Ike, the Union described Hon. Betara Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory as a symbol of resilience, humility, and dedicated public service. Comrade Ike noted that Hon. Betara’s journey, from obtaining diplomas in Business Administration and Accountancy to representing Biu, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo, and Shani…

Senate summons NCDMB Executive Secretary over EFCC-flagged $14.8m refinery investment

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate Committee on Local Content has summoned the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, to appear before it over alleged financial irregularities linked to the Board’s investment in Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.   The summons followed allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning funds purportedly invested by NCDMB in the refinery project.   After a meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the committee directed that the NCDMB leadership must submit 30 copies of all relevant documents…