The House of Representatives, at Tuesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, considered key legislative priorities spanning budget preparation, institutional reform, national security, disaster response and economic development.
Proceedings featured Executive Communications, new Bills, four Matters of Urgent Public Importance, citizens’ petitions and resolutions addressing challenges affecting communities across the country.
HOUSE OUTLOOK
The Speaker announced a 100-Day Legislative Drive for House Committees to clear outstanding reports and improve the timeliness of legislative business. The House also underscored the need for timely submission of the 2027–2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to allow adequate scrutiny of the 2027 Appropriation Bill.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
The House received the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols Bill and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Enforcement) Bill, transmitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for legislative consideration.
The President also sought National Assembly approval for a ₦100.5 billion promissory note to compensate the Yobe State Government following the Federal Government’s takeover of Damaturu Cargo Airport.
MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
SME Financing
The House called on the Federal Government to provide emergency funding for the Bank of Industry and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to expand access to affordable loans at single-digit interest rates for small and medium-sized enterprises.
National Security
Following the October 5, 2026 military aircraft crash near the Naval Base in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, the House called for an independent investigation and an urgent audit of military aircraft to strengthen aviation safety and accountability.
Flooding and Ecological Issues
The House adopted matters addressing flooding, erosion and environmental degradation across several states.
Anambra State: Members raised concerns over flooding and expanding gully erosion in Ajanze Village, Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area. They called for damage assessment, relief and rehabilitation assistance, and comprehensive erosion-control, drainage, gully-reclamation and land-reclamation works.
Osun State: The House called for emergency intervention in 45 communities across Irepodun, Orolu, Olorunda and Osogbo Local Government Areas affected by flooding, windstorms and thunderstorms. Members urged the Federal Government to provide relief, rehabilitate damaged infrastructure, dredge and expand the Osun River, and strengthen regulation of mining activities along the river to improve water flow and reduce flood risks.
Kwara State: Following devastating floods affecting 21 communities in Lafiagi Emirate, Edu Local Government Area, the House urged the Federal Government to provide food, clean water, temporary shelter and medical supplies. Members also called for agricultural inputs and financial assistance to help affected farmers restore production and livelihoods.
Delta State: The House called for urgent Federal Government intervention in flood-affected communities across Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Local Government Areas. Members urged the Federal Ministry of Works to mobilise resources to restore damaged road sections and NEMA to provide immediate relief and emergency assistance.
The matters were referred to the relevant House Committees for further legislative action.
CITIZENS’ PETITIONS
The House received eight petitions from citizens seeking legislative intervention. The Committee on Public Petitions also presented ten reports for consideration, covering occupational injury, wrongful dismissal, reinstatement, trespass, abduction and marginalisation.
NEW BILLS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
The House received the National Deceased Organ, Tissue Donation and Transplantation Bill and six other Bills for First Reading. It also received the Interim Report of the Special Committee on the Restructuring of Federal Agencies and Commissions, advancing its consideration of reforms to federal institutions.
SECOND AND THIRD READING
The Electronic Civil Registration System Bill, the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (Establishment) Bill and the Federal Polytechnic Wamba, Nasarawa State (Establishment) Bill passed Second Reading and were referred to the relevant Committees.
The House also recommitted the Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration before passing it, advancing proposed reforms to the functions of polytechnics.
NEW HOUSE MEMBERSHIP
The Clerk of the House administered the Oath of Membership to Rep. Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, who assumed office as representative of Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency following his victory in last month’s bye-election. He succeeds the late Rep. Yaya Bauchi Tongo, who died in June 2026.
CROSS CARPETING
Rep. Clara Nnabuife notified the House of her defection from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Through these proceedings, the House continued its legislative work, scrutinised executive proposals, responded to urgent community needs and advanced measures to strengthen public institutions and economic opportunity.
