The Nigerian Senate has announced a reshuffle of its committee leadership, appointed new chairmen and deputy chairmen to oversee key legislative bodies, including the regional development commissions. This reshuffle followed President Bola Tinubu’s assent to bills establishing development commissions for various regions in the country.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the plenary session on Tuesday, expressed satisfaction with the just-concluded budget defence process. He commended lawmakers for their thorough scrutiny of the 2025 budget to ensure a workable financial plan.
Following the reshuffle, the Senate appointed:
Senator Babangida Hussaini as Chairman and Senator Muntari Dandutse as Deputy Chairman of the North West Development Commission Committee.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as Chairman and Senator Kenneth Eze as Deputy Chairman of the South East Development Commission Committee.
Senator Titus Zam as Chairman and Senator Isa Jibrin as Deputy Chairman of the North Central Development Commission Committee.
Additionally, other standing committees saw leadership changes, including:
Senator Abdul Ningi, who moved from the Population Committee to chair the Senate Committee on FERMA.
Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, now heading the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations, after previously overseeing the Committee on Local Content.
Senator Garba Maidoki, appointed as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development.
Senator Joel Thomas, who became the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
Senator Victor Umeh, who now leading the Senate Committee on National Population and NIMC.
In another development, the Senate condoled with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, over the passing of Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, a former Deputy Majority Whip. The Senate President, Akpabio, led the lawmakers in observing a minute of silence in honor of Onanuga, who passed away on January 15.
The reshuffle is seen as part of efforts to ensure that the Senate remain effective in its oversight functions, particularly with respect to the new regional development commissions.
