The House of Representatives commenced Thursday’s plenary with a Valedictory Session in honour of Dr. Yahaya H. Dan Zaria, the Outgoing Clerk of the House of Representatives, in recognition of his distinguished service, dedication, and institutional leadership.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, commended Dr. Dan Zaria for serving the House with clarity, discipline, and restraint, noting that his career trajectory within the National Assembly reflected steady professional growth anchored on competence, learning, and integrity. The Speaker highlighted his strong legal training, complemented by expertise in public administration and policy analysis, which enabled him to combine legal precision with administrative insight in the discharge of parliamentary duties. Members unanimously applauded his commitment to the ideals and traditions of legislative service.
Following the valedictory proceedings, the House considered Matters of Urgent Public Importance, adopting the three critical motions addressing governance, public welfare, and national food security.
MOTIONS
1. The House resolved to probe alleged discriminatory recruitment practices at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), following allegations that seventeen medical doctors posted for housemanship were rejected on ethnic grounds. The House mandated the Committee on Health Institutions to investigate the matter and report within four weeks, while calling on the Federal Ministry of Health to suspend the Chief Medical Director to prevent interference with the investigation.
2. In a related intervention, the House expressed grave concern over rising poverty, hunger, and the worsening agricultural crisis in Northern Nigeria, noting the growing risk of severe food insecurity driven by insecurity, farmer displacement, and declining agricultural productivity. The House urged the Federal Government to prioritise agricultural recovery and food security and called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with relevant MDAs, to urgently deploy farm inputs, fertiliser, seedlings, credit facilities, mechanisation, and extension services within the current planting season.
3. The House further resolved to investigate the non-release of approved AfDB and JICA agricultural intervention funds, despite Nigeria’s declared Food Security Emergency. Lawmakers expressed concern that delays in releasing over $134 million and ¥15 billion in funding have disrupted farming seasons, denied critical support to hundreds of thousands of farmers, and placed additional financing at risk. The House mandated an investigation and directed that a report be submitted within two weeks.
POWER OF THE PURSE
As part of its core fiscal responsibilities, the House proceeded to the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill, 2026 (HB.2682), presented by the House Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, CON. The Bill seeks authorisation for the issuance of ₦58.47 trillion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for the year ending 31 December 2026. Following debate, the Bill was referred to the House Committee on Appropriations and other relevant Committees for further legislative action.
