The House of Representatives, at Thursday’s plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu PhD, CFR advanced key legislative business, considered matters relating to national security, foreign affairs, education, humanitarian intervention and public safety, while reinforcing its constitutional oversight responsibilities.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
The House received a communication from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, transmitting the 2025 and 2026 Budget Estimates of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund for the consideration of the National Assembly.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESSION
The House passed six Bills at Third Reading aimed at strengthening the sugar industry, meteorological services, livestock development, agricultural research, aviation and aerospace education, and professional standards.
The House also debated the general principles of six Bills at Second Reading, including Bills to establish a Federal Plea Bargain Registry, expand the mandate of the National Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS (NACA) to include Tuberculosis and Malaria, amend the Legal Aid Act to broaden access to justice and environmental legal support, and three others. Following their Second Reading, the Bills were referred to the relevant Standing Committees for further legislative scrutiny.
The House also received six Bills for First Reading, including the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and three others.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The House condemned the renewed xenophobic attacks, unlawful killings and persecution of Nigerians and other African nationals in the Republic of South Africa.
Following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, the House urged the Federal Government to immediately summon the South African High Commissioner to explain the recent killings and formally convey Nigeria’s displeasure. It further called for legal redress and compensation for victims and their families, stronger diplomatic engagement to protect Nigerians abroad, and referred the matter to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for further legislative action.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The House condemned the reported incursion by Cameroonian military personnel into Danare Community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, describing it as a violation of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
It urged the Federal Government to strengthen diplomatic engagement with the Republic of Cameroon, enhance security across Nigeria’s border communities, and implement previous recommendations on the Nigeria-Cameroon border situation. The House also amended the motion to extend enhanced security measures to all Nigerian border communities and mandated the relevant Committees to ensure implementation.
The House further urged the establishment of permanent military formations in vulnerable border communities in Kogi State to curb the activities of terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
BENUE SECURITY
The House condemned the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammad, and his associate.
It urged the Federal Government to deploy additional security personnel to the affected communities, directed the Inspector-General of Police to expedite investigations into the killings and other related attacks, and called for the establishment of Forward Operating Bases to prevent reprisals and restore public confidence.
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
The House urged the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Air Force to facilitate the phased reopening of the Ngomari Airport axis of the Maiduguri–Damaturu Expressway, while maintaining appropriate security measures. It also mandated the relevant Committees to investigate the continued closure of the road and liaise with the appropriate authorities on its reopening.
STEM EDUCATION
The House called for increased investment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, particularly in underserved communities, while prioritising teacher training to improve learning outcomes nationwide.
HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION
The House called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant authorities to provide immediate relief and support to victims of the recent rainstorm disaster in Warji Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
The House received four Committee reports, including the report of the Committee on Human Rights on a Bill to repeal and re-enact the National Human Rights Commission Act to strengthen the Commission’s investigative powers and institutional framework.
PUBLIC PETITIONS
The House referred nine public petitions submitted by citizens and organisations to the Committee on Public Petitions for investigation and further legislative action.
The proceedings reflected the House’s continued commitment to responsive lawmaking, effective oversight, national security, institutional accountability, and the protection of the lives and welfare of Nigerians.
