The House of Representatives, at Tuesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, resumed legislative business following the successful conclusion of the National Assembly Open Week 2026. During the sitting, the House considered a broad range of legislative business, adopting key resolutions on food safety, public accountability, healthcare, environmental protection, foreign affairs, and disaster response, while advancing strategic Bills and considering committee reports.
MOTIONS AND MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
The House adopted resolutions on food safety, the welfare of Nigerians abroad, recovered public assets, environmental protection, healthcare, and disaster response through the following motions and Matter of Urgent Public Importance:
Food Safety
The House adopted a Matter of Urgent Public Importance calling for strengthened food safety regulation and standards to combat food-borne diseases nationwide. The resolution seeks improved funding for food testing infrastructure, enhanced training and certification of food handlers, and legislative reforms to strengthen food safety oversight.
Xenophobic Attacks
The House resolved to investigate the casualties, property losses, and abandoned assets resulting from past and recent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa. It also mandated the relevant Committees to recommend measures to strengthen the protection of Nigerians abroad and promote accountability through appropriate diplomatic and legal mechanisms.
Forfeited and Recovered Assets
The House called for a comprehensive audit of forfeited and recovered assets nationwide, the establishment of a central digital asset registry, and stronger accountability measures to enhance transparency and oversight in the management of recovered assets.
Shoreline Erosion
The House urged the Federal Government to deploy the Ecological Fund for shoreline protection and erosion control works at the Bayelsa Industrial Park in Gbarain, Bayelsa State, to safeguard the Eraskon Lubricants/Chemicals Blending Plant Project and protect the strategic investment from further environmental degradation.
Health Insurance
The House urged the National Assembly Management to implement mandatory health insurance coverage for all Members of the National Assembly, their spouses, children, dependants, and legislative aides in accordance with the National Health Insurance Authority Act, 2022.
Gashua Floods
The House urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, in collaboration with the Yobe State Government, to provide emergency relief, temporary shelter, psychosocial support, rebuilding assistance, livelihood restoration, and strengthen disaster preparedness for communities affected by the devastating windstorm and flooding in Gashua, Yobe State.
BILLS AND LEGISLATIVE PROGRESSION
Third Reading
As part of its legislative business, the House passed six strategic Bills at Third Reading to strengthen national cohesion, energy sector reform, regional development, higher education, professional standards, and risk management. Notably, the House passed a Bill to amend the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act to include Anambra State as an oil-producing state under the Commission’s framework.
Second Reading
The House debated the general principles of four Bills at Second Reading covering security sector reform, aviation financing, public health, and youth development. Following debate, the Bills were referred to the relevant Standing Committees for further legislative scrutiny.
First Reading
The House also received nine Bills for First Reading, including a Bill seeking to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
CITIZENS’ PETITIONS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Public Petitions
Members presented four public petitions on behalf of citizens and groups seeking legislative intervention and redress.
Report Presentation
The House received the report of the Committee on Constitution Review on the Constitution (Alteration) Bill on State Police, alongside six other Bills. The reports included three from the Committee on Financial Crimes, one of which was on the Bill establishing the Financial Crimes Institute.
Report Consideration
At the Committee of Supply, the House considered and adopted the report of the Committee on Police Affairs on the proposed ₦170.1 billion 2025 Budget and ₦234 billion 2026 Budget of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.
At the Committee of the Whole, the House further considered and adopted the report on the Bill establishing the Nigerian Mining Development Bank, alongside reports on five other Bills.
The proceedings reaffirmed the House’s commitment to responsive lawmaking, robust legislative oversight, constitutional reform, and policies that advance national development, strengthen public institutions, and improve the welfare of Nigerians.
