Senate Resumes After Recess with Petitions, Presidential Nominations, and Major Legislative Debates

Overview

The Senate resumed its plenary session after the annual recess with welcoming remarks, petitions, and several significant national discussions. Petitions included calls for justice over a killing and appeals from dismissed military officers, all referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Tributes were paid to the late Senator Solomon Yuga, while urgent motions on Libya and other issues were deferred.

In his welcome speech, the Senate President congratulated the nation on its Independence Day and praised the country's economic progress, highlighting increased oil production and fiscal stability. He also urged legislators to focus on addressing food insecurity affecting over 33 million Nigerians through reforms in agriculture and infrastructure.

President Bola Tinubu announced multiple nominations for key agencies, including the NPC, FCCPC, RMAFC, and NERC, while declining assent to two bills due to policy inconsistencies and approving amendments related to the police.

The Senate passed several bills, notably those amending the Passport Act to penalise Nigerians convicted abroad, and the Federal Medical Centres Act to widen healthcare access. The debate on the Central Gaming Bill 2025, which aims to regulate online and remote gaming, was postponed for two weeks due to concerns regarding constitutional and jurisdictional issues.

The session ended with the Senate adjourning proceedings until Wednesday, 8 October 2025.

Opening Remarks and Petitions

• The Senate welcomes distinguished senators back from their annual recess and wishes them a happy birthday, with birthdays mentioned from July 29th to October 2nd.
• Senator Ngwu Osita, representing Enugu West, presents two petitions—one regarding a village seeking justice for a killed young man and another from an ex-sergeant alleging wrongful dismissal—which are referred to the Committee on Public Petitions.
• Senator Oyewumi Kamorudeen Olalere, representing Osun West Senatorial District, presents a petition from a retired lieutenant general and other senior military officers regarding the unlawful termination of students' credits at a school, which is also referred to the Committee on Public Petitions.

Tributes and Urgent Matters

• Senator Onawo Mohammed Ogoshi, representing Nasarawa South, pays tribute to the late Solomon Ewuga (19 June 1955 – 23 September 2025), a former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State and Senator, and requests that he be eulogised on the next legislative day.
• Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume raises an order of the day, Order 41, regarding a matter of urgent public importance. It is agreed to be taken up on the next legislative day.
• Senator Bassey Etim, representing Akwa Ibom North East, moves a motion under Orders 41 and 51 regarding the treatment of Nigerians in Libya, which is deemed life-threatening and stepped down to be taken later in the day.

Welcome Back and National Issues

• The Senate President welcomes senators back from recess and thanks God for preserving their lives, also congratulating the President and Nigerians on the nation's Independence Anniversary.
• The 10th Senate extends fellowship and prayer to those affected by disasters, insecurity, hunger, and hardship. It promises not to flinch from the duty of relief and redress.
• Nigeria's oil production has increased to 1.8 million barrels per day, driven by reforms and renewed investor confidence. Additionally, no state government is currently borrowing money to pay salaries, a result of the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and his team.
• Over 33 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity, underscoring the need for urgent legislative attention, particularly in areas such as agriculture, rural roads, irrigation, and mechanisation, to combat hunger through policy direction and diligent action.
• The Senate must legislate with boldness, press forward with reforms, attract investment, broaden the tax base, and foster the nation's growth, while also upholding the independence of the Senate and the dignity of its chambers.

Presidential Communications

• President Bola Tinubu has declined to assent to the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology Establishment Bill 2025 due to defects in funding, borrowing, and investment provisions. The Senate will review his observations.
• The President seeks Senate confirmation of nominees for the FCCPC, NPC, RMAFC, NERC, and Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund.
• Notable nominees include Louis Odion (Edo), Ùmmueelm Ìsiyaku Rabiu (Kano), Agbaje Opeyemi Olukoye (NPC Chairman, South West), and others representing all geopolitical zones.
• The President declined assent to the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Establishment Amendment Bill 2025 due to policy contradictions but approved amendments to the Nigerian Police Force Training Institutions Establishment Bill and the Nigerian Police Trust Fund Amendment Bill.

First and Second Reading of Bills

• The Senate Leader presents several bills for first reading, including the Repeal and Enactment of the National Inland Waterways Authority Act 2025, the Amendment of the Federal Road Safety Corps Act 2025, and the Performance and Priority-Based National Budgeting System Bill 2025.
• The second reading of the Passport Miscellaneous Provisions Act Amendment Bill 2025 seeks to penalise Nigerians who commit crimes abroad by denying or withdrawing their passports for at least 10 years.
• The bill aims to protect Nigeria’s global image and address visa denials caused by criminal actions of some Nigerians abroad.

Discussion on Gaming Regulation

• The Senate debates the Central Gaming Bill 2025 and the Federal Medical Centres Act Amendment Bill 2025, with concerns about constitutional and jurisdictional conflicts.
• Some senators argue for caution and more consultations, while others stress the need for regulation of online and remote gaming to improve revenue generation.
• A motion to postpone the gaming bill’s consideration for two weeks is adopted to allow for further review.

Federal Medical Centres Act Amendment

• The Senate considers and passes the Federal Medical Centres Act Amendment Bill 2025, aimed at expanding healthcare access across Nigeria.
• Clauses 1 to 2, the short title, and explanatory memorandum are approved, and the bill is read for the third time and passed.

Adjournment

• The Senate adjourned till Wednesday, 8 October 2025, at 11:00 a.m., after concluding the day's proceedings.