How Senators Fared with Lawmaking First Year in the 10th National Assembly

How Senators Fared with Lawmaking First Year in the 10th National Assembly

The 10th National Assembly of Nigeria has not shown enough sparks to show its determination to serve as a veritable check on the executive arm of government and improve governance. Lawmaking has been on a slow pace, but the National Assembly is, gradually making progress and some of its actions may become visible by their

The 10th National Assembly of Nigeria has not shown enough sparks to show its determination to serve as a veritable check on the executive arm of government and improve governance. Lawmaking has been on a slow pace, but the National Assembly is, gradually making progress and some of its actions may become visible by their second year in office. However, some Senators have distinguished themselves through their legislative output, notably in the number of sponsored bills.

The Senate in session

In the first year, several lawmakers tried to introduce bills to impact governance, social welfare, and national development. Some Senators are setting the pace in legislative performance. As of Tuesday, 11 June 2024, the total number of Bills introduced by the 10th Senate was 479. The total number of Bills passed was 25 and the Bills read the first time was 276.

A breakdown shows that Executive Bills were 13, Bills Negatived were three, Bills at the Committee stage were 43, Bills awaiting first reading,131; Bills Awaiting Second Reading were 46, Resolutions were 114, Total number of Petitions, was 50; and the the the the the the total number of Confirmations was 215.

Analysis shows that returning Senators who have served in the Senate previously did better than the newcomers. Lawmaking requires a lot of experience and new members must learn the ropes except they have been part of lawmaking at other levels before their emergence as Senators. The NDR has gone into the records to unveil the performance of the Senators:

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (All Progressives Congress (APC) Ekiti Central)
As the Senate leader, Senator Bamidele has the highest number of bills with 23, most of which are from the Executive Arm of government. By parliamentary tradition, executive bills are tendered on the Assembly floor by the majority party’s leader.

Some of the bills sponsored by Senator Opeyemi are SB.01. Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2023; SB 06: Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Act (Repeal & Re-enactment Bill, 2023; SB.46: Federal Fire Service Act( Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2023; SB.68: Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC Act( Amendment) Bill, 2023; SB.74: National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act( A) Bill,2023; SB.91: Gaming Bill, 2023; SB.130: Retirement of Magistrates Bill, 2023; SB. 144: Federal College of Agriculture and Tropical Studies Efon Alaye, Ekiti State( Establishment) Bill, 2023, among others.

Senator Opeyemi has presented numerous bills addressing various aspects of national security, economic reform, and education. He focused on security bills, in response to the ongoing insurgency in the country and the broader challenges Nigeria faces in tackling terrorism. Some of his bills also seek to strengthen the legal framework around the Nigerian military and the welfare of armed forces personnel and the judiciary.

Senator Barau Jibrin- Deputy Senate President
In terms of output, Senator Opeyemi is followed by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North) who has 17 bills to his credit. Some of the bills he sponsored include SB. 05: Development Planning and Project Continuity Bill, 2023; SB.47: In-Vitro Fertilization Bill, 2023; SB.64: Cyber Crimes (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2023; SB. 70: Explosive Act( Repeal &,Re-enactment Bill, 2023; SB.90: North West Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023; and SB. 125: Federal Polytechnic, Kabo (Establishment) Bill, 2023, among others.

Senator Jibrin is one of the champions for education and economic development. He has also distinguished himself as a leading lawmaker, with a strong focus on youth empowerment and economic transformation with his bills.

Senator Sani Mohammed Musa (APC Niger East)
Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) has eight bills to his credit. Some of his bills include SB. 11: Nigerian Content in Programme, contracts, Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (Establishment) Bill, 2023; SB,101: Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill, 2023; SB.140: North Central Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023; and SB. 206: Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2023, among others. He has demonstrated a knack for infrastructure development, health, and reforms in agriculture.

Senator Olamilekan Adeola Yayi (APC Ogun West)
He sponsored seven bills in the first year of the 10th Assembly. The bills are SB. 59 Factoring, Assignments and Receivable Financing Bill 2023, SB. 265: Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria ICAN Act(Amendment) Bill, 2023, SB 09 Nigerian Railway Corporation Act(Amendment)Bill 2023, SB. 109: Federal College of Geological and Cement Studies, Iselu, Yewa North, Ogun State (Establishment)Bill 2023, SB. 215 National Flood Management Commission (Establishment) Bill 2023, SB 323 National Institute for Border Studies, Imeko, Ogun state(Establishment)Bill 2024, SB. 336: Inflation Reduction Programme(Special Provision) Bill,2024, SB 345 Federal University of Technology Ilaro ( Establishment)Bill,2024, Sen 367: Agricultural Processing Zones (Establishment) Bill, 2024 and SB 386: National Energy Bill,2024.

Senator Orji Kalu (APC Abia North)
Senator Orji Kalu has five bills to his credit. They are as follows: the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024; Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024; Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024. His focus on infrastructure is evident in bills that propose modernizing Nigeria’s sabotage laws and expanding energy access across rural areas.

Senator Gbenga Daniel (APC Ogun East)
Senator Daniel, a first-timer in the Senate has sponsored four bills including the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the Federal College of Aviation Technology (Establishment) Bill, 2023; The Terminal Illness Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2023 and the Media Practitioners Registration Council of Nigeria (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

Senator Ndume Mohammed Ali (APC Borno South)
Senator Ndume is a ranking Senator. He has sponsored four bills in the first year of the 10th Assembly. The bills are SB. 73: Elite Sheriffs Corps of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2023, SB 208: Agricultural Research Council Act (Amendment)Bill 2023, SB. 268: Chartered Institute of Training & Development of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill 2023 and SB. 381 Federal College of Education Gwoza(Establishment) Bill 2024.

Senator Patrick Chiwuba Ndubueze (APC Imo North)
He is currently serving his first term in the Senate. He has sponsored five bills in his first year in the Senate. These are SB 49: Project Development Agency (Establishment) Bill 2023, SB 60. National Roads Fund Bill,2023, SB131. Public, Private Partnership Regulatory Commission Bill 2023, SB 315. Federal Medical Centre Act (Amendment) Bill 2023, SB. 347. National Centre for Cancer Research and Treatment (Amendment) Bill 2024

Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC Kwara Central)
He was elected to the Senate in 2023. He has sponsored six bills in his first year in the Senate. The bills are SB. 139. National Food Reserve Agency (Establishment)Bill 2023, SB 209 Donkey Slaughter Regulation & Export Certification Bill 2023, SB. 225. National Agricultural Land Development Authority Act (Amendment) Bill 2023, SB 254. Cassava Flour (Mandatory Inclusion) Into Flour Production) Bill 2023, SB. 342. Integrated Rural Development Agency (Establishment) Bill,2024, SB. 371. Nigerian Economic Diversification Bill,2024.

Senator Tony Nwoye (LP Anambra North)
Senator Nwoye was a former member of the House of Representatives representing Anambra East/ West. He sponsored 10 bills in his first year in the Senate. Some of the bills are SB. 121 National Security Agency Act (Amendment) Bill 2023, SB 122: National Youth Development Agency (Establishment) Bill 2023, SB. 201: Federal College of Education Nsugbe (Establishment) Bill 2023, SB. 236 Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC Act (Amendment) Bill 2023, SB. 271: Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 and SB. 327: Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill 2024

Senator Sunday Steve Karimi (APC Kogi West)
Senator Karimi has sponsored five bills in his first year in the Senate. The bills are SB. 10. Dishonoured Cheques (Repeal & enactment) Bill 2023, SB.23: Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill 2023, SB. 34. Central Bank of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 and SB. 299: Federal University of Medical Sciences, Egbe, Kogi state (Establishment) Bill 2023.

Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC Borno Central)
Senator Lawan has sponsored six bills in his first year in the Senate. The bills are SB. 146: Federal Medical Centre Act (Amendment) Bill 2023, SB. 147: Federal Paediatric Centre Maiduguri, SB. 148: Code of Conduct Bureau Act(Repeal & Re enactment) Bill 2023, SB. 164: Nigeria Institute of Social & Economic Research Act(Repeal &Re- enactment) Bill 2023, SB. 185: Federal University of Agriculture & Entrepreneur Bama ((Establishment) Bill 2023 and SB. 210 Orthopedic Hospital Act(Amendment) Bill 2023.

Senator Patrick Moro Abba (PDP, Benue South)
A ranking Senator on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He has sponsored five bills in the first year of the 10th Assembly. The bills are SB. 140: North Central Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2023, SB 182: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(Alteration) Bill 2023, SB. 212: Agricultural Research Council Act(Amendment) Bill 2023, SB. 388: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(Alteration) Bill 2024 and SB. 389: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill 2024.

Senator Suleiman Umar Sadiq (APC Kwara North)
Senator Sadiq has sponsored five bills in the first year of the 10th Assembly. The bills are SB. 02: Nigeria Maritime Zone Act (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill 2023, SB. 92: Metallurgy Industry Bill,2023, SB.143: National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (Establishment) Bill 2023, SB 205: Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Food (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act(Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill 2023 and SB. 267 National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (Establishment) Act 2024.

Senator Ibrahim Folorunsho Jimoh (APC Ondo South).
A first-time Senator who has sponsored five bills in the first year of the 10th Assembly. His bills are SB. 07: Bitumen Development Commission Bill 2023, SB. 15: Insurance Bill 2023, SB. 169: Federal Polytechnic, Igbokoda, Ondo state (Establishment) Bill,2023, SB. 179: Agriculture Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 and SB. 263: Federal Data Bank (Establishment)Bill 2023.

Senator Hussain Babangida Uba (APC Jigawa North West)
Senator Uba has sponsored four bills in the first year of the 10th Assembly. The bills are SB 08: Constituency/Special Projects (Budgetary Provisions) Bill 2023, SB. 133: JAMB Act (Amendment) Bill 2023, SB. 272: Documentation & Protection of Domestic Workers & Employees Bill 2023 and SB 387: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill 2024.

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC Cross River South)
He has sponsored four bills. They are SB. 72: Corporate Bodies (Members Emolument) Act (Repeal)Bill 2023, SB 77: National Youth Service Corps NYSC Act (Amendment) Bill 2023, SB. 279: Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Act(Amendment) Bill 2023 and SB. 358: South-South Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2024.

Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC Borno North)
He has sponsored three bills. They are SB. 04: Environmental Impact Assessment Bill 2023, SB. 34: National Food Safety & Management Council (Establishment) Bill 2023 and SB. 357: National Environmental Health and Sanitation Agency (Establishment)

Senator Harry-Banigo (PDP, Rivers West)
She has sponsored three bills in the first year of the 10th Assembly. They are SB. 16: National Vocational Centre (Establishment) Bill,2023, SB. 228: Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 and SB. 326: National Agency for Food &Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC) Act (Amendment) Bill 2024.

Senator Alli Sharafadeen Abiodun (APC Oyo South)
Senator Alli has sponsored the following bills. They are SB186: Chartered Institute of Auctioneers (Establishment) Bill,2023, and SB 361 Pension Reform Act (Amendment Bill 2024.

Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (PDP, Delta North)
He has sponsored three bills. They are SB249: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill 2023, SB. 172: Waste Management & Malaria Eradication Agency (Establishment) Bill 2023 and SB. 346 Firearms Act (Amendment)Bill 2024.

Senator Kingibe Ireti Heebah (Labour Party Federal Capital Territory)
She has presented one Bill. It is titled S . B 287 FCT School of Nursing & Midwifery (Establishment) Bill, 2023.

Senator Godswill Akpabio (APC, Akwa Ibom North-West),
The Senate President has sponsored two bills namely SB. 189: the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2023, and SB. 190: the National Institute for Electoral Studies (Establishment) Bill, 2023.

Senator Akpoti-Uduagha, Natasha (PDP, Kogi Central)
She has sponsored two bills. The Bills are SB 362: Nigeria Gold Reserve Bill, 2023, and SB354: Nigeria Cottage Industries (Establishment) Bill 2024.

Late Senator Uba, Patrick Ifeanyi (APC, Anambra South)
He had sponsored two bills before he died. The bills are SB. 129: South East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2023 and SB. 216 Erosion Control Commission Act (Establishment)Bill, 2023.

Senator Abbas Aminu (PDP Adamawa Central)
He has sponsored one Bill: SB. 356 Federal University of Education (Technical) Hong, Adamawa State (Establishment)Bill 2024.

A New Trend in Legislative Proactivity?
The number of bills coming from these Senators highlights a shift in legislative engagement within Nigeria’s National Assembly. While some lawmakers have been criticized in the past for inactivity, this new crop of senators appears more proactive and may be determined to set a higher bar for legislative performance. Analysts have commended this development, arguing that a more active legislature is essential for Nigeria’s progress. According to political analysts, senators presenting a high number of bills also reflect the changing demands of constituents, who expect their representatives to address urgent national and regional issues.

As the 10th Assembly continues, Nigerians are hopeful that their work will have a positive impact on improving their standard of living and promoting national development. As these bills make their way through the legislative process, Nigerians will be closely watching to see how these efforts translate into actionable policies. The NDR will keep a close monitor and update the Senators’ performances after their second year in office.

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