MISSION STATEMENT
Nigeria faces numerous challenges across various sectors, and legislative interventions are crucial for addressing these issues and driving positive change. Therefore, a well- defined legislative agenda with legislative priorities is of utmost importance for the efficient and effective functioning of the legislature. It is a roadmap that guides lawmakers and legislative bodies in decision-making and lawmaking processes. The 10th House of Representatives has been called to serve at one of the most challenging times for our
constituents and nation.

In recognition of the above, I constituted the Ad-hoc Committee on the Legislative Agenda of the House to set out clear legislative priorities and goals for the House to assist Members in addressing the most pressing issues facing us today. Beyond that, the Agenda is also intended to streamline the activities of the House and guide the efficient allocation of resources. Critically, as the people’s representatives, we recognise that Nigerians and our constituents have a right to know what issues are being addressed and what priorities their elected representatives focus on. This transparency enhances public trust and accountability. Accordingly, we have dubbed the 10th House the “People’s House”. We expect this Agenda to foster meaningful public engagement and encourage citizens and stakeholders to participate in debates, hearings, and consultations related to the identified priorities, making the legislative process more inclusive and democratic.

We have identified eight (8) key legislative priorities, namely, i) strengthening good governance, ii) improving national security, iii) law reform, iv) economic growth and development, v) social sector reform and development, vi) inclusion and open parliament, vii) influencing foreign policy, and viii) Climate change and environmental sustainability. These agenda areas have been carefully crafted to align with the 8-Points Agenda of the Executive.This ensures policy consistency and coherence and avoids conflicting and contradictory legislation. The Agenda also allows Members and Committees to plan their work well in advance, including drafting bills, conducting research, engaging with stakeholders, and promptly addressing key priorities.

In addition to the above, our Agenda allows for collaboration and multi-partisanship on common priorities. It will also allow our partners to understand our focus and identify entry points to support the House in delivering on its mandate. Additionally, it serves as a basis for accountability and evaluation of legislative performance and builds public trust and confidence in the institution. The Agenda will ensure that the House significantly impacts the nation’s most critical issues. It will also enable lawmakers to make a meaningful difference in the lives of their constituents.The adopted structure indicates short, medium and

long-term milestones and key performance indicators to track progress easily.The implementation framework is designed to allow for flexibility in responding to emerging issues or crises. Members and Committees can adjust their priorities as needed while maintaining an overarching strategic framework.

I thank the Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Agenda headed by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere and all those who supported and contributed to the development of this Agenda. Special gratitude to my Chief of Staff, Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi, for his painstaking review and useful input into the initial draft.

This well-defined legislative agenda with clear priorities is a fundamental tool for the 10th House to function effectively, efficiently, and accountably. I present it to Members, Committees and all Nigerians and look forward to a successful House and urge my colleagues to make this Agenda the core document of the House and ensure that all Committees begin to work and meet the expectations of all Nigerians.
Rt. Hon.Abbas íajudeen, PhD
Speaker, 10th House of Representatives

SECTION A

⦁ BACKGROUND
ince the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999, the Nigerian Legislature has played a critical and leading role in consolidating democracy through targeted legislative actions in both the National
and State Houses of Assembly. The National Assembly has increasingly discharged its constitutionally assigned mandate in the last two decades with greater assertiveness and maturity. The 1999 Constitution grants the National Assembly the power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or the State (Section 4(2) and Section 4(7). Other express powers of NASS are to make laws on any matter on the legislative lists in the second schedule as apportioned between the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly (Section 4 (3)(4) and (7). Other powers of the legislature relate to finance and public expenditure (Section 80-83 and 120-123), relation with the Executive and the Judiciary and implied powers to conduct investigations and procure evidence.

The 10th House of Representatives was inaugurated on 13th June, 2023, following the general elections of 25th February, 2023. The election outcome produced a House with two hundred and seventy-six (77%) new and 84 (24%) returning members, continuing the traditionally high turnover rate in the legislature. The 10th Assembly will operate within the context of serious economic, political and social challenges in Nigeria. Citizens’ confidence in government is currently low, and a crisis of legitimacy is affecting the effectiveness of government institutions, including the legislature.

Given the above and the huge expectations citizens have of government, the 10th House of Representatives is committed to developing and implementing a Legislative Agenda to rebuild citizens’ confidence and deliver good governance for improved democracy in Nigeria— specifically, the House is committed to “legislative reforms to unlock Nigerian’s economic growth and development of our vast human and natural resources”.

In line with established legislative tradition, the Speaker appointed an Ad-Hoc Committee on Legislative Agenda to consult with the citizens and identify legislative priorities for the House, which will serve as a road map for the effective discharge of our legislative activities and promoting peace and national development from 2023 to 2027. The Committee consulted with the leadership of the House, held meetings with critical stakeholders, including representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Development Partners and other relevant stakeholders. The input from the consultations contributed to identifying the key legislative priorities to inform this Agenda.

Eight (8) key priority areas representing the Speaker for the House’s vision and mission are enunciated. These areas align with the ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda of the Executive. The Agenda identifies legislative measures critical in enabling the Executive to achieve its vision for Nigeria and address the challenges facing the country today, promoting good governance and socioeconomic growth and development. The priority areas of the Agenda are:
⦁ Strengthening Good Governance
⦁ Rule of Law and Human Rights
⦁ Improving National Assembly Delivery Processes
⦁ Internal and External Communications
⦁ E-Parliament
⦁ Inter-Chamber Synergy
⦁ Members’ Welfare
⦁ Executive-Legislative Engagement
⦁ Anti-Corruption & Oversight and Technology
⦁ Executive-Legislative Engagement
⦁ Improving National Security
⦁ Improved Accountability in the Security Sector
⦁ Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency

⦁ Inter-Agency Collaboration and Improved Intelligence Sharing
⦁ Police Reforms
⦁ Reform of National Assembly Security/Sergeant-At-Arms
⦁ Law Reform
⦁ Constitutional Reform
⦁ Local Government Reform
⦁ Decongesting the Exclusive Legislative List
⦁ Justiciability of Certain Social and Economic Rights
⦁ Judicial and Legal System Reform
⦁ Electoral Reform
⦁ Economic Growth and Development
⦁ Economic Restructuring
⦁ Economic Diversification and Agricultural Development
⦁ Social Sector Reform and Development
⦁ Education
⦁ Universal Basic Education
⦁ Secondary Education
⦁ Technical Education
⦁ Almajiri Education and Out-of-School Children
⦁ Healthcare
⦁ Infrastructure Development
⦁ Energy and Power
⦁ Roads and Highways
⦁ Rail Transport
⦁ Inland Waterways and Ports
⦁ Aviation
⦁ Pension Reform
⦁ Inclusion and Open Parliament
⦁ Women’s Representation and Participation
⦁ Youth Development

⦁ Open Parliament and Citizens’ Engagement
⦁ Inclusion of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD) in National Planning
⦁ Media
⦁ Influencing/Directing Nigeria’s Foreign Policy
⦁ Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
The implementation of the legislative priority areas outlined above depends not only on the House of Representatives but also on the involvement of other arms of government (the Executive and Judiciary), civil society, media, international partners and all Nigerians.

To track the implementation of this Agenda, the Speaker established a Standing Committee on the Monitoring and Implementation of the Legislative Agenda to assess the progress in attaining identified milestones, identifying challenges and engaging in continuous review of the Agenda to incorporate findings.

⦁ OUR VALUES, VISION, MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

he 10th House has identified the under listed essential elements to provide direction, purpose, and a framework for effective legislative functioning. They are intended to help guide decision- making, shape the parliament’s identity, and ensure that the House serves the best interests of Nigerians. This ethical framework will guide our legislative work, inspire and motivate Members and stakeholders, align efforts toward common goals and objectives and clarify the purpose and
role of the House.
⦁ Core Values
⦁ Effectiveness: Members that are knowledgeable, accessible and who perform their duties diligently;
⦁ Efficiency: Members should discharge their duties in a timely and cost-effective manner and where the products of the House are qualitative and responsive to the needs of Nigerians;
⦁ Commitment: Members should be dedicated to their duties;
⦁ Accountability: A House that is accountable to the public and that promotes transparency and accountability in the operations of MDAs;
⦁ Accessibility: A “People’s House” that engages and is open to the public and civil society through its reports and regular engagement;
⦁ Responsive: A House that responds quickly to issues brought to their attention by their constituents..

Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives

⦁ Our Vision
A “People’s House” that is responsive, results-oriented and effective in performing its constitutional manner towards the security and welfare of all Nigerians.
⦁ Our Mission
To promote professionalism and best legislative practices in lawmaking, oversight and representation.
⦁ Objectives
The main objective of the Agenda is to make the 10th House of Representatives “The People’s House” and improve the lawmaking, oversight and representative functions of the legislature. Other specific objectives include:

⦁ Bring the House closer to the people and promote citizens’ engagement through the Open National Assembly project.

⦁ Promote good governance, transparency and accountability through legislative measures.

⦁ Support the 8-point Agenda of the Executive.

⦁ Strengthen the Committee system for effective service delivery in the House of Representatives.

⦁ Promote smooth legislative-executive relationships for good governance.

Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives

⦁ OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

he Legislative Agenda of the 10th Assembly is prepared with a focus on the following legislative priorities, which are designed to assist the Executive in achieving its objectives, address existing
challenges and support the long-term development of Nigeria. The 8-Priorities in this Agenda are interconnected and targeted at helping the House achieve its vision of being “the people’s House” and a beacon of peace, hope, democracy and good governance for the Nigerian people. The 8-Agenda items are as follows:

Strengthening Good Governance
⦁ Rule of Law and Human Rights ● Anti-Corruption
⦁ Improving National Assembly Delivery Processes
⦁ Executive-Legislative Engagement

Improving National Security
⦁ Improved Accountability in the Security Sector
⦁ Counter Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency
⦁ Inter-Agency Collaboration ● Police Reforms
⦁ NASS Security & SAA

Law Reform
⦁ Constitutional Reform ● Local Government Reform ● Decongesting the Exclusive List
⦁ Social and Economic Rights ● Judicial and Legal System Reform ● Electoral Reform

Economic Growth and Development
⦁ Economic Restructuring ● Economic Diversification & Agricultural Development

Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives

Social Sector Reform and Development
⦁ Education ● Healthcare
⦁ Infrastructure ● Pension ● Reform

Inclusion and Open Parliament
⦁ Women’s Representation & Participation
⦁ Youth Development ● Open Parliament & Citizens’ Engagement ● Inclusion

Influencing / Directing Nigeria’s Foreign Policy
⦁ Parliamentary Diplomacy
⦁ Policy Influence ● Oversight

Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability
⦁ Energy Transition ● Pollution and Gas Flaring ● Clean Energy Sources

The strategic objectives outlined above will be streamlined into all structures and activities of the House of Representatives. Committees and Members will utilise this document to ensure their activities and interventions align with the House Agenda. Also, the abovementioned legislative priorities will shape debate, motions, Bills, and other legislative outputs.

AGENDA 1:
STRENGTHENING GOOD GOVERNANCE

⦁ Judicial Reform, Rule of Law and Human Rights
he rule of law is a fundamental principle of good governance, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring a just and equitable society.
Over the years, several challenges have impeded the rule of law in Nigeria, including corruption, a weak judicial system, inadequate and unequal access to justice, human rights violations, complex and inconsistent legal frameworks, ethnic and religious tensions and security challenges.The 10th House of Representatives is committed to ensuring that all individuals, institutions, and entities, including the government, are accountable to and governed by laws that are applied consistently and fairly. The House undertakes to do the following:
⦁ Judicial Reforms: Reforming and strengthening the judiciary in Nigeria is crucial for upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability,

promoting justice, and fostering economic development. Accordingly, the 10th House is committed the following:

⦁ Pass a law to regulate the process of selection and appointment of judges outlining detailed processes and requirements as well as greater transparency and public involvement at all stages.
⦁ Amend the Constitution and relevant statutes to expand membership of the appointing institutions.
⦁ Ensure compliance to constitutional provisions and guidelines through oversight.
⦁ Consult on the merit of establishing specialised courts to handle specific types of cases, which could expedite case resolution and reduce backlogs.
⦁ Provide adequate resources for speedy dispensation of justice
⦁ Improve transparency and public accountability through oversight by relevant committees.
⦁ Improve the remuneration of judges and judicial officers to
minimise corruption.
⦁ Support the introduction of a merit-based system in appointment and promotion of judges.
⦁ Expand and strengthen legislative scrutiny and create legal framework to regulate the process.
⦁ Promote measures that ensure inclusion and respect for diversity in appointment of judges.
⦁ Advocate the full implementation of judicial financial independence as guaranteed by the Fourth Constitutional Alteration, and ultimately improve the process and ensure fairness and transparency.
⦁ Review and update critical obsolete legislations and collaborate with the Law Reform Commission to update the Laws of the Federation.
⦁ Simplify and harmonise laws, regulations, and legal processes to enhance clarity and consistency.

⦁ Human Rights Protection: promoting human rights protection is an essential aspect of democracy, which requires a multifaceted approach, involving various stakeholders such as the government, civil society organizations, international bodies, and the general populace. Some of the commitments of the 10th House in this regard are:
⦁ Initiate legal reforms to address systemic human right issues (e.g., improving the criminal justice system, prison conditions, and access to justice)
⦁ Pass legislation that protects and promote human rights
⦁ Domesticate relevant international human rights treaties
⦁ Strengthen the Human Rights Committee of the House to conduct oversight of government agencies and promote human rights education and human rights ombuds in law enforcement agencies (e.g., Police Act, 2022, the Armed Forces Act).
⦁ Strengthen the National Human Rights Commission to make it more effective.
⦁ Adopt legislative measures to support the Executive in implementing security sector reforms to ensure the protection of human rights.
⦁ Anti-Corruption and Legislative Oversight
Corruption in Nigeria has had widespread and detrimental impacts on various aspects of society, economy, and governance. Some of the effects of corruption include reduced economic growth, inefficient resource allocation, poverty and inequality, limited access to essential services like healthcare, education, clean water and electricity, poor infrastructure, weakened institutions, diminished public trust and reduced accountability.

The 10th House of Representatives will adopt legislative initiatives to strengthen its oversight functions to combat corruption in Nigeria. To this end, the House will adopt legislative measures towards achieving the following:

⦁ Strengthen the existing legal frameworks regulating anti-corruption agencies.
⦁ Ensure independence of anti-corruption agencies.
⦁ Strengthen existing anti-corruption agencies to consolidate their functions and operations and promote synergy and information sharing for effectiveness.
⦁ Provide comprehensive coverage for investigative hearings on anti
-corruption issues and follow through with implementation of Committee recommendations through the power of the purse.

⦁ Document investigative hearings with recommendations implemented for legacy purposes and made available to the public through House authorised platforms.
⦁ Follow up on enforcement of penalties for corrupt practices by the
appropriate authorities
⦁ Provide funding to anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to enhance their capacity to effectively investigate and prosecute corruption cases
⦁ Introduce legislative measures to strengthen the public procurement processes to enhance transparency and competitiveness and curb corruption.

⦁ Introduce sectoral briefs at plenary to promote transparency and accountability in government operations
⦁ Expedite passage of the Whistleblower Protection Bill to protect witnesses in security-related cases to encourage more people to come forward with information.
⦁ Work with the Executive to ensure speedy passage of the Federal Audit Service Commission Bill to strengthen the autonomy and powers of the Auditor General to better support the oversight function of the National Assembly.
⦁ Amend the Public Procurement Act with a view to removing unnecessary delays in the process/procedure
⦁ Ensure access to information and protect fundamental freedoms through adherence to national laws and international agreements signed to by Nigeria.
⦁ A legislative framework to compel MDAs with delegated powers to make subsidiary legislation to present such to the National Assembly for approval prior to publication in the Official Gazette.
⦁ Regularly and adequately fund oversight.
⦁ Introduce legislative measures to mandate collaboration and synergy in the activities of anti-corruption agencies.

The legislature is the most critical institution charged with promoting transparency and accountability, holding the government to account, reducing and exposing corruption, improving effectiveness and ensuring value for money. Strengthening legislative oversight is crucial for ensuring the effective functioning of government. In furtherance of this mandate, the 10th House shall undertake the following:
⦁ Strengthen Committees of the House to enhance their oversight functions.
⦁ Improve the capacity of the Public Accounts and Finance Committees
to undertake their constitutionally assigned mandates.

⦁ Ensure that Committees utilise the available tools in the oversight of MDAs. The recommended Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) standards for oversight activities by Committees will be encouraged, focusing on the conduct of regular hearings and inquiries/investigations, timely and unrestricted access to the documents, reports and data relevant to oversight, improved funding to Committees for oversight, develop performance metrics and indicators to measure success and use data-driven insights in oversight.
⦁ Build partnership with civil society organisations as it relates to oversight.
⦁ Investing in training and re-training of Committee Members, staff and legislative aides to enhance their capacity to support Committees in discharging their oversight functions.
⦁ Embrace technology to streamline and improve the House oversight processes.
⦁ Review and amend the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act (2018) and bring it up to date.
⦁ Pass legislation to enforce penalties and sanctions for breach of legislative summons.
⦁ Ensure regular publication of oversight reports, findings and
recommendations.

⦁ Improving National Assembly Delivery Processes
Improving service delivery in the legislature is essential for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the legislative process. This can lead to better governance, increased public trust, and more meaningful representation. The 10th House will take the following strategies to improve service delivery in the legislature:
⦁ Strengthening Institutional and Legislative Capacity
The legislature has three major functions: lawmaking, oversight and

representation. For the House to creditably discharge these functions, its institutional and human resource capacity must be significantly upscaled and strengthened. In this Legislative Agenda, the Assembly recognises the importance of putting in place a well-functioning institution as an important pre-condition for achieving all the other strategic priorities under this Agenda. The 10th House will pursue the following strategic activities:
⦁ Improve the infrastructure at the House.
⦁ Enhance and deepen the use of ICT in the House
⦁ Develop a Code of Ethical Conduct for Staff of the House
⦁ Enhance collaboration with national and international institutions as well as development partners
⦁ Ensure effective reporting, management and storage of information in the House
⦁ Strengthen the legislative support institutions, including NILDS and NABRO, to meet their mandates of building capacity and providing technical support to the National Assembly
⦁ Ensure speedy passage of the NABRO Bill and provide adequate funding for its operations to support the work of the National Assembly especially with regards the budget.

Strengthening legislative capacity is essential for ensuring effective governance and the rule of law. The House plays a critical role in making, amending, and repealing laws, scrutinising the executive arm, and representing the interests of the public. Under this Agenda, the 10th House will strengthen and improve the capacities of its Members to effectively discharge their lawmaking, oversight and representation mandate. To this end, the House will take the following steps:
⦁ Build Capacity of Members and staff on legislative processes and procedures;
⦁ Adequate funding and staffing of Committees;
⦁ Develop milestones and key performance indicators for Committees
to ensure that they operate efficiently and effectively;
⦁ Develop Standard Operating Procedures for Committees on Oversight (an Oversight Manual and Guidelines).
⦁ Improve Interaction with Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in the State.
⦁ Strengthen the Committee on Legislative Compliance to track legislative resolutions.
⦁ Strengthen research capacity for oversight.
⦁ Ensure compliance with the Ethical Code of the House;
⦁ Ensure timely submission and consideration of reports by Committees, including quarterly and sessional reports, reports of specialised Committee activities.
⦁ Ensure effective tracking of legislative Resolutions through the Committee on Legislative Compliance.
⦁ Benchmark Committee activities and performance against the Legislative Agenda.
⦁ Regular monitoring and tracking of Committee activities.
⦁ Support Members to maintain functional Constituency Offices.

⦁ Internal and External Communications
Effective internal and external communication is crucial in the legislature because it helps to facilitate the functioning of the institution, ensures transparency and accountability, and fosters a better relationship with the public and other stakeholders. The 10th House will take steps to improve all aspects of communications in the House.

⦁ Internal Communications

Effective internal communication is necessary to facilitate the legislative process and information sharing among Members and staff to make informed decisions. Internal communication helps disseminate crucial information such as parliamentary schedules, committee assignments, and procedural rules. Good internal communication is necessary for committee members to collaborate, share research findings, and draft comprehensive reports and recommendations. The 10th House undertakes to do the following:
⦁ Improve all aspects of information sharing among Members of the National Assembly, between Committees, departments and units of the National Assembly, and among staff.
⦁ Develop a Communication Strategy for the HoR with clear protocols, guidelines, and procedures to ensure consistency and clarity in internal communications.

⦁ Implement digital platforms and tools for internal communication, such as email, intranet systems, and collaboration software. Also, the House will ensure secure messaging platforms for confidential communication among lawmakers and staff.
⦁ Provide infrastructure for internal communications. The goal will be to develop an interdependent communications infrastructure that will be open, accessible, transparent and seamless to build synergy and support service delivery on the institutional goals of the National Assembly.
⦁ Facilitate effective communication among House committees by providing them with the necessary resources and administrative support.
⦁ Provide training and workshops on effective communication skills for Members and staff.
⦁ Publish internal reports and relevant documents on a secure intranet system, accessible to all Members and staff.
⦁ Keep Members informed through electronic means about the progress of legislative proposals, upcoming debates, and voting schedules.
⦁ Provide background information, research findings, and analysis to help Members make informed decisions and improve the quality of debates. Internal mechanisms in the House and collaboration with support agencies (NILDS, NABRO) and civil society will also be strengthened.
⦁ Produce regular internal newsletters or publications that summarise legislative activities, achievements, and important updates.
⦁ Develop and rehearse crisis communication plans to ensure that all Members and staff are well-prepared to respond to emergencies or unexpected events.
⦁ Promote synergy between Committees, especially those with intersecting and coordinate jurisdiction, to promote effectiveness and legislative effectiveness and reduce the ‘silo’ approach to Committee work.

⦁ Document all Committee activities especially legacy achievements in the next 4 years both electronically and in a publication. (Archival system)
⦁ Ensure the timely publication and dissemination of Hansard.
⦁ Encourage House leadership to lead by example, promoting effective communication, transparency, and open dialogue.

⦁ External Communications

Managing external communications in the legislature is essential for upholding democratic principles, ensuring accountability, engaging the public, and building trust. It serves as a bridge between the legislature and the citizens it represents, ultimately contributing to the health and vitality of the democratic system. The House of Representatives fully understands the need to be effective and visible. To this end, all communication tools with external partners and stakeholders will be effectively utilised.
⦁ Strengthen the communications unit/department in the House and the Office of the Speaker to manage better external communications, including media relations and digital outreach.
⦁ Develop a comprehensive communications strategy that outlines clear objectives, target audiences, key messages, and tactics for reaching the public and stakeholders.
⦁ Develop a dynamic and interactive website for the House of Representatives and integrate the existing Speaker’s Website to better engage with the public and publish activities of the House.
⦁ Maintain active social media accounts to reach a broader and younger audience. The House will provide regular updates, engage with constituents, and encourage public participation in discussions and surveys.
⦁ Publish House proceedings, agenda, and legislative documents on a publicly accessible website.

⦁ Create public awareness of the Legislature and the House through multimedia formats (videos, infographics, and podcasts) to make information more engaging and accessible.
⦁ Issue regular press releases and updates on parliamentary activities, debates, and decisions and highlight the impact of legislative actions on the lives of citizens.
⦁ Establish legislative liaison desks/ information centres in SHAs to give citizens access to legislative resources, information and assistance.
⦁ Foster partnerships with civil society organisations,non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and advocacy groups to collaborate on issues of mutual interest.We shall also seek input and feedback from these organisations on legislative proposals and policies.
⦁ Ensure greater involvement of the public at public and investigative hearings.
⦁ Provide media training to parliamentarians to help them effectively communicate their views and the parliament’s activities to the public.
⦁ The online ‘NASSTV’ will be sustained as a television channel for legislative proceedings and a platform where Committee Chairmen and Members can relay the progress of the work of their respective Committees to citizens.

⦁ E-Parliament
E-parliament initiatives can help modernise legislative processes, enhance democratic participation, and improve the overall efficiency and transparency of parliamentary work. However, careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing evaluation are essential for successful implementation.The House is committed to the following:
⦁ The digitisation of parliamentary records, including bills, debates, Committee reports, and legislative archives, allows for easy and efficient access to historical data and documents. To this effect, we will ensure the conversion of all its documents, including order

papers, notice papers, votes and proceedings, motions, etc, into digitalised versions in line with global best practices.
⦁ Establish online portals that provide access to House proceedings, agendas, schedules, and documents to the public and legislators to access up-to-date information.
⦁ Sustain live streaming and webcasting of House sessions enable citizens to observe debates and discussions in real-time, fostering transparency and public participation.
⦁ Support the full take-off of the National Assembly Library.
⦁ Promote E-Committees and create digital platforms for committees to manage their work efficiently.This includes electronic submission of reports, scheduling meetings, and online collaboration among committee members.
⦁ Implement digital tools and platforms that enable citizens to participate in the legislative process, submit feedback, and engage with lawmakers through online petitions, public consultations, and interactive forums.
⦁ Utilise electronic document management systems to streamline the drafting, editing, and approval of legislative documents, reducing paperwork and administrative burdens.
⦁ Establish e-petition systems to allow citizens to submit petitions online.
⦁ Inter-Chamber Synergy
Strengthening inter-chamber synergy in a bicameral parliament or legislature is crucial for effective governance and policymaking. The House will work closely with the Senate to improve efficiency, better represent the interests of the public, provide checks and balances, and promote better decision-making. The 10th House undertakes to do the following:

⦁ Strengthen the formal communication mechanisms between the two chambers to facilitate dialogue and information sharing.
⦁ Strengthen joint committees composed of members from both chambers to collaborate on specific issues, legislation, or investigations.
⦁ Develop coordinated legislative agendas to identify common priorities and areas where the House and Senate can work together effectively.
⦁ Prioritise bills and issues that require bicameral cooperation and focus on aligning legislative efforts.
⦁ Foster a culture of mutual respect between members of both chambers, recognising the importance of each chamber’s role in the legislative process.
⦁ Sustain regular meetings between the leadership of both chambers to discuss overarching legislative strategies, priorities, and challenges.
⦁ Share research, analysis, and expert opinions between the two chambers to ensure that lawmakers have access to comprehensive information when making decisions.
⦁ Encourage public engagement by both chambers on issues of national importance by creating a feedback mechanism from citizens on the National Assembly website.
⦁ Periodically review the effectiveness of inter-chamber synergy strategies and make adjustments as needed to address emerging challenges or opportunities.
⦁ Members’ Welfare
The welfare of Members is essential to ensure that they can effectively carry out their duties, serve their constituents, and contribute to the democratic process. Key welfare issues for Members in the 10th House include the following:

⦁ Implement policies that promote work-life balance for Members.
⦁ Work with legislative support institutions and partners to sustain ongoing capacity development programmes for Members.
⦁ Ensure that Members have access to sufficient office resources, including staff, technology, and research assistance.
⦁ Provide funding for the design and construction of a National Assembly Hospital to provide comprehensive healthcare services to all arms of government.
⦁ Appropriate funds for the development of a health, recreational and wellness centre for Members to promote physical, social and emotional health.
⦁ Support Members in providing effective constituency services to address the needs and concerns of their constituents.
⦁ Offer legal and financial counselling services to assist Members in managing legal issues and financial matters. To this effect, the House will create a Business Roadmap Unit to assist serving and former legislators in preparing for sustainable post-tenure business plans.
⦁ Conduct periodic reviews of Members’ welfare programs and policies to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
⦁ Strengthened Executive-Legislative Engagement
A cordial and effective working relationship between the Executive and the legislature is essential for actualising the objectives of the House’s Legislative Agenda and delivering good governance to the people. We, therefore, undertake to implement the following legislative measures in the 10th House:
⦁ Work with the Senate and the Executive to establish a Tripartite Committee with members drawn from the legislature, Executive and party. The mandate of this Committee is to discuss major government policies or required legislations before they are made public or communicated to the National Assembly, especially where legislative intervention is required.

⦁ Institutionalise pre-budget engagement between the various MDAs and the relevant oversight committees to minimise the frictions that normally characterise the budget process between the arms of government.We will also introduce pre-budget retreats between legislators and their counterparts from the Executive to foster collaboration.
⦁ Encourage bi-partisan and multi-party cooperation in the House to minimise polarisation along political party affiliations or other divisive tendencies.
⦁ Establish an engagement Committee comprising the representatives of the National Assembly, MDAs and civil society organisations to improve understanding of the legislature and its work and create avenues for collaborative engagement.
⦁ Foster constructive and transparent dialogue with mutual respect between all arms of government.
⦁ Uphold the principle of the separation of powers and the independence of each arm while recognising their interdependence.

AGENDA 2:
IMPROVING NATIONAL SECURITY

he security challenges in Nigeria have had a multifaceted impact on its economy. Reduced investor confidence, decreased productivity in vital sectors like agriculture and oil, increased costs associated
with security, and the displacement of large populations all strain Nigeria’s economic potential.The nation’s reputation on the global stage is affected, making foreign direct investment more sporadic and cautious. Addressing these challenges requires a combination of socioeconomic policies, effective governance, and community engagement. The 10th House will take legislative measures to support the government’s drive to end insecurity.The House will put adequate and proactive legislation and policy options in place for oversight activities to achieve the following:
⦁ Improved Accountability in the Security Sector
Promoting accountability in security sector funding and budgeting

is essential to ensure the efficient utilisation of resources, prevent corruption, and enhance public trust in security institutions. Legislative measures can play a crucial role in achieving these objectives in Nigeria. The House will implement some of these potential legislative measures:
⦁ Enact legislation that mandates a more detailed and itemised budgetary disclosure for security agencies. While certain specifics might be kept confidential for national security reasons, a general breakdown should be accessible to the public.
⦁ Mandate regular independent audits of security sector expenditures. Create or empower an independent body with the necessary clearances to perform these audits.
⦁ Strengthen parliamentary oversight over security sector spending. Committees responsible for defence, internal security, and intelligence should have powers to scrutinise and review the full details of budgetary allocations and expenditures.
⦁ Pass the whistleblower protection law to encourage individuals within security agencies or related bodies to report financial malpractices without fear of retaliation.
⦁ Standardise and make the procurement processes for security equipment and services transparent to reduce the chances of inflated contracts or purchases that do not offer value for money. We will also encourage competitive bidding and open tenders for major security-related procurements.
⦁ Legislate for the establishment of a Security Sector Reform Commission to oversee reforms within the security sector, including financial transparency and accountability.
⦁ Introduce stricter penalties for misappropriation, misallocation, or any form of financial malpractice within the security sector.
⦁ Empower anti-corruption agencies with more autonomy and resources to investigate and prosecute financial misconduct within the security sector.

⦁ Promote digital platforms for budget tracking, expenditure reporting, and procurement processes.These platforms can enhance transparency and allow for easier monitoring by relevant authorities.
⦁ Mandate security agencies to provide periodic financial reports to designated oversight bodies detailing their expenditures, achievements, challenges, and projections.
⦁ Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency
⦁ Strengthen the anti-terrorism Act to provide guidelines for the prosecution of suspects, and allow for international cooperation in combating terrorism.
⦁ Domesticate the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Ammunition to regulate the possession, use, and trade of small arms and light weapons, given their proliferation in Nigeria.
⦁ Create legal frameworks for rehabilitating and reintegrating ex- combatants, such as former Boko Haram militants who denounce violence.
⦁ Establish a legal framework to bolster border control, surveillance, and cooperation with neighbouring countries.
⦁ Collaborate with the Office of the National Security Adviser to amend the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 to tackle emerging threats and protect Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII)
⦁ Establish legal mechanisms to support and compensate victims of violence and insecurity. This can help communities recover and reduce the potential for revenge attacks.
⦁ Develop legislative frameworks for community-level peace and conflict resolution mechanisms, promoting dialogue.
⦁ Adopt legislative measures that promote economic opportunities in geo-political zones most affected by insecurity. This includes laws promoting investments, youth employment, and skills training to prevent radicalisation.

⦁ Inter-Agency Collaboration and Improved Intelligence Sharing Strengthening intelligence gathering and sharing among security and intelligence agencies is crucial for enhancing national security. Effective review of existing legal and regulatory frameworks can institutionalise and streamline this process. The 10th House will adopt the following measures in this regard:
⦁ Strengthen existing structures and expedite the passage of a law to create a centralised hub where different intelligence and security agencies can collate, analyse, and disseminate intelligence.This would ensure a coordinated approach to intelligence sharing.
⦁ Expedite the passage of amendments specifying the primary areas of operation, responsibility, and coordination where multiple agencies share coordinate jurisdiction. This will reduce overlap and competition.The House will ensure speedy passage of the following Bills in this regard:
⦁ Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill
⦁ Police Act (Amendment) Bill
⦁ Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act (Amendment) Bill
⦁ Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill
⦁ National Security and Civil Defence Corps Act (Amendment) Bill
⦁ Customs and Excise Management Act (Amendment) Bill
⦁ Develop a legal framework that mandates routine inter-agency meetings, briefings, and collaboration exercises to foster trust and understanding between agencies.
⦁ Amend the National Security Agencies Act (NSA) to enhance their capacity, collaboration, and efficiency and consolidate the position of the Coordinator of National Security with that of the National Security Adviser.

⦁ Enact comprehensive data protection legislation to ensure intelligence agencies handle personal data carefully and within legal boundaries.
⦁ Create legislative guidelines for standardising intelligence software, databases, and communication tools to ensure compatibility and ease of sharing across platforms.
⦁ Ensure the speedy passage of the Whistleblower Protection Bill to protect individuals who expose threats to national security.
⦁ Strengthen legislative oversight and accountability through the relevant committees of the House.
⦁ Enact legislation that mandates continuous training for intelligence personnel, focusing on modern intelligence-gathering techniques, analysis, inter-agency collaboration, and cybersecurity.
⦁ Collaborate with the Office of the National Security Adviser to amend the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, to bring it up to date, promote intelligence sharing on cyber threats, and establish dedicated cyber intelligence units.
⦁ Allocate resources for acquiring modern intelligence tools, surveillance technology, and analytic software to enhance intelligence gathering and sharing capabilities.
⦁ Pass a law to establish internal review bodies within intelligence agencies to evaluate the accuracy, relevance, and legality of intelligence.
⦁ Police Reforms
⦁ Review the current system of policing in Nigeria to strengthen the framework for ‘community policing’ to decentralise the police structure and allow zonal commands to take prompt action on police issues.
⦁ Open up national discussion on the merits of State Police to aggregate citizen’s views and perspectives.

⦁ Adopt legislative measures to reform the Nigerian Police Force and position them as the primary agency responsible for internal security. We will focus on improving funding for training, capacity building, modern equipment procurement, human rights adherence, and community policing.
⦁ Amending the Police Trust Fund Act to extend the lifespan of the Act
⦁ Mainstream human rights protection in the operations of security agencies to build trust between citizens and the government, prevent arbitrary actions, promote the rule of law, adhere to international human rights obligations, and maintain a positive reputation domestically and internationally.

⦁ Reform of National Assembly Security/Sergeant-At-Arms
The Sergeant-at-Arms is typically responsible for maintaining order and security within the parliament or legislative Assembly. The SAA will be recognised as the National Assembly’s official and primary security outfit, with other security agencies to assist when and where necessary. This will require reforming and strengthening it to provide effective security for the Assembly.The House undertakes to do the following:

⦁ Review and revise the current duties and responsibilities of the SAA to specifically include aspects of law enforcement, security and emergency preparedness. The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Act (2014) grants the SAA the powers, privileges and immunities of the police within the precinct of NASS.
⦁ Ensure the Sergeant at Arms personnel receive regular training on security protocols, threat assessment, and crisis management.
⦁ Invest in modern security equipment such as surveillance cameras, metal detectors, and access control systems.
⦁ Define clear emergency protocols for intruders, bomb threats, or
natural disasters.
⦁ Provide a sufficient budget for the necessary upgrades in technology, staffing, and training.

AGENDA 3:
LAW REFORM

⦁ Streamlining and Improving the Constitutional Reform Process
he need for continuous constitutional alteration in Nigeria is best understood within our historical, political, and socioeconomic context. The 10th House will pursue Constitutional reform purposefully, deliberately and expeditiously. Previous efforts at the Constitution review have yielded good results. The House desires to give Nigeria a new comprehensive Constitution that truly captures the
sentiment, “We, the people…”

The House will first improve the Constitution Alteration process through the following:
⦁ Streamline the procedure for constitution alteration by enacting a Constitutional Alteration Procedure law to provide a timeline for the passage of Constitution alteration bills by the National Assembly and adoption by State Houses of Assembly.
⦁ Consolidate all constitutional alterations into a document in collaboration with the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.
⦁ Review of Penal provisions in existing statutes with a view to updating fines to reflect the prevailing value of Naira/Kobo.
⦁ Promote post-legislative scrutiny with the Judiciary focusing on constitutional alterations.
Other specific constitutional issues to be prioritised by the 10th House include:
⦁ Constitutional Role for Traditional Institutions
⦁ Widely consult on the merit and strategies for assigning constitutional roles to traditional institutions
⦁ Amend the Constitution to entrench traditional institutions and assign clearly defined official roles and functions and integrate them into the governance structure
⦁ Ensure that the amendment clearly specifies the roles and functions of traditional institutions to avoid overlap with existing governmental structures
⦁ Review and amend relevant existing laws and enacting new ones to clarify the legal status, privileges, immunities, and limitations of traditional leaders
⦁ Local Government Reform
Nigeria’s local Government system is an important tier of governance but has faced numerous challenges. This 10th House will adopt the following measures:
⦁ Alter the Constitution to recognise Local Government as an independent tier with full financial and operational autonomy. This will be done in consultation with States.

⦁ Ensure that the roles and responsibilities of local governments are more clearly defined in the Constitution to prevent overlaps and conflicts with state governments.
⦁ Amend the Constitution to define the tenure of Local Government chairpersons and Councillors to prevent undue interference.
⦁ Amend the Constitution to provide for independent local government election commissions or strengthen State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECs).
⦁ Ensure local governments play a role in maintaining security at the grassroots level, possibly by establishing local security outfits in collaboration with the state and federal governments.
⦁ Foster a better collaboration between local governments and traditional rulers.

⦁ Decongesting the Exclusive Legislative List
Over time and throughout our consultation, many experts and stakeholders have stressed that the Exclusive List is too expansive, resulting in over-centralisation and constraining the states from effectively addressing local challenges.The 10th House will work to decongest the Exclusive Legislative List to enable States and Local Governments to promote development within their jurisdictions. Possible items to be moved to the concurrent list are:
⦁ Aviation, including airports, carriage of passengers and goods by air
⦁ Construction, alteration and maintenance of such roads
⦁ Drugs and poisons
⦁ Formation, annulment and dissolution of marriages
⦁ Traffic on Federal trunk roads

⦁ Social and Economic Rights
Chapter 2 of the Constitution, which deals with social and economic rights, will be further reviewed to determine the justiciability of some rights contained therein for the benefit of Nigerian citizens. Some specific measures to be taken by the House include amending the Constitution to ensure everyone is entitled to reasonable access to housing, health care, and education.These are to be progressively provided, considering the state’s financial ability.
⦁ Judicial and Legal System Reform
⦁ Ensure faster dispensation of justice and autonomy of the Judiciary.
⦁ Review the appointment and removal process for judicial officers to ensure that it is merit-based and promotes greater independence.
⦁ Undertake a comprehensive review of obsolete laws, ensuring they align with contemporary realities.
⦁ Work with the Nigerian Law Reform Commission to update and publish the Laws of the Federation.
⦁ Improve the independence of the Judiciary through adequate budgetary allocation for the Judiciary for the welfare of judicial officers and staff,
⦁ Budget for enhancing technology to expedite the digitisation of court processes and upgrade court infrastructure for swift and fair justice delivery.
⦁ Grant more powers to state and local courts to handle issues peculiar to their regions, reducing the caseload of federal courts.
⦁ Ensure the full implementation of financial autonomy for the Judiciary at all levels.
⦁ Provide adequate funding for legal aid services to improve access to justice for all citizens, particularly marginalised groups and those with limited resources.

Other aspects of Constitutional Alteration of interest to the House are:
⦁ Alter the Constitution to delist the Land Use Act and National Youth Service Act, to strip them of their constitutional status to enable the National Assembly effect necessary amendments to align them with the prevailing situation in the country.
⦁ Alter the Constitution to incorporate the Sovereign Wealth Fund and ensure sustainable management of funds in excess of budgeted hydrocarbon revenues.
⦁ Alter the Constitution to list the National Assembly Service Commission and State Assembly Commissions in the relevant schedule of the Constitution.
⦁ Review of FCT laws with a view to carrying out reforms or amendments where necessary.
⦁ Electoral Reform
The 2023 general elections in Nigeria excited the most interest in recent times. It, however, suffered setbacks regarding the implementation of recent constitutional amendments and the new Electoral Act 2022. The House of Representatives will carefully examine complaints and observations made by stakeholders arising from the conduct of the 2023 general elections. Specific actions to be taken by the House are:
⦁ Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to remedy some of the gaps observed, including vague and contradicting provisions.
⦁ Pass an independent legislation (the Political Parties Bill) to regulate the registration, financing and functioning of political parties in Nigeria and, by so doing, allow INEC to focus on the conduct of elections.
⦁ Set up a mechanism for periodic reviews of electoral laws to ensure they remain relevant and in tune with global best practices.

⦁ Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to allow diaspora voting by government officials around the world.
⦁ Ensure the passage of the National Electoral Offences Commission Bill to confer powers of the Commission to prosecute electoral offences.
⦁ Propose amendments to the Constitution on issues related to elections in Nigeria to address the following shortcomings:
⦁ Appointment of Chairman and National Commissioners of the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC);
⦁ Creation of an Electoral Offences Commission as an independent body; and
⦁ Relevance or otherwise of Resident Electoral Commissioners of INEC in the States.

AGENDA 4:
ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

The legislature plays a crucial role in shaping the economic trajectory of a nation. The National Assembly directly and indirectly influences the economic environment through its lawmaking and oversight powers. The House of Representatives will make efforts to enact legislation to promote sustainable economic growth, enhance agricultural development, improve the ease of doing business and introduce tax reforms to attract both local and foreign investments.
⦁ Economic Restructuring
Policy changes and reforms are key to promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The diminishing revenue, increasing expenditure and debt profile have raised the need to review Nigeria’s revenue sources. Heavy reliance on the oil sector is unsustainable, hence the need to create a more resilient and diversified economy that can provide opportunities for all Nigerians.
⦁ Support economic diversification with a focus on reducing dependence on oil and increasing development in other sectors across Nigeria, such as mineral resource mining, manufacturing, agro- processing, textile, tourism and technology and general services.
⦁ Provide incentives on tax breaks to encourage innovations and for industries that have the potential for job creation and export growth.
⦁ Examine existing legislation and, where there are gaps, introduce reforms to encourage public-private partnerships for infrastructure development, investment projects and service delivery.
⦁ Use legislative measures to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to open up markets and promote economic cooperation and growth.
⦁ Enact laws that streamline business registration, make it quicker and more affordable, and reduce bureaucratic red tape.
⦁ Establish and strengthen legal frameworks that encourage Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in infrastructure development.
⦁ Legislate a comprehensive, long-term national infrastructure development plan covering transport, energy, ICT, and other key sectors.
⦁ Enact laws that enhance the capital market’s transparency, liquidity, and depth to attract domestic and foreign investors.
⦁ Simplify the tax system, reducing multiple taxation and offering incentives for sectors critical to growth.
⦁ Work with the Executive to ensure speedy passage of the Budget Process Bill to consolidate all existing legal provisions relating to the budget process/procedure.

⦁ Economic Diversification and Agricultural Development
Nigeria’s agricultural environment and development are currently stultified by various factors, ranging from insecurity, lack of technology, funding, etc. To transform the Nigerian economy, a multi-pronged legislative approach, executive willpower, and stakeholder collaboration are essential.The agricultural sector remains a veritable tool in advancing Nigeria’s ailing economy by creating wealth and reducing poverty among the well over 60% of the country’s workforce engaged in producing, processing, servicing, marketing and exporting agricultural produce. The House will take legislative measures to support key sectors as follows:
⦁ Enact policies that support farmers with subsidies, access to credit, and modern farming techniques.
⦁ Provide tax breaks and incentives for local manufacturers and prioritise infrastructural development that aids manufacturing.
⦁ ICT and Digital Economy: Develop legislation that promotes digital innovation, data protection, and e-commerce.

⦁ Advocate for a curriculum that aligns with industry needs, emphasising STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and vocational training.
⦁ Enact laws that protect foreign investors, ensuring that their investments are safe and guaranteeing repatriation of profits.
⦁ Set up special economic zones with attractive incentives to draw in international investors.
⦁ Allocate funds for research and development in key economic sectors.
⦁ Strengthen intellectual property laws to encourage innovation and protect inventors.
⦁ Develop policies that enhance Nigeria’s export potential and reduce unnecessary imports.
⦁ Pursue and legislate bilateral and multilateral trade agreements beneficial to the Nigerian economy.
⦁ Establish a legislative framework for agricultural banks or financial institutions that can provide low-interest loans to farmers.
⦁ Promote agricultural insurance schemes to shield farmers from losses caused by natural disasters, diseases, or market fluctuations.
⦁ Support the Executive to implement policies that subsidise the cost of essential agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides to reduce the cost of production for farmers.
⦁ Foster collaboration between the government and private sector in seed production, agro-processing, and agricultural infrastructure development.
⦁ Establish standards for agricultural products to meet both local and international markets.
⦁ Review laws and policies to streamline various interventions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Agriculture, broaden access and ease efficient use of funds.

⦁ Conduct a holistic audit of policies, programmes, investments and results of agricultural interventions to set a new agenda for that sector based on contemporary best practices.
⦁ Provide tax breaks or incentives to organisations and businesses that invest significantly in the agricultural sector.
⦁ Support policies encouraging youth and women’s participation in agriculture and addressing the ageing farming population issue.
⦁ Collaborate with the Execute to review import policies to protect local farmers from cheap imports that can undermine local production.
Furthermore, we will also legislate on the following important areas:

⦁ Reintroduction of the National Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (NAGESS): In recognition of the tremendous successes recorded during the implementation of the National Growth Enhancement Support Scheme by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture that led to a significant increase in food production in the country, the House will enact legislation to provide it with a legal framework and expand its scope around the country as well as funding to support our farmers better.

⦁ Blue Economy: A green economy targets improving human well- being and social equity while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.The federal government has prioritised sustainable development that balances economic and environmental concerns. Accordingly, the House will:
⦁ Legislate on sustainable development to enhance the “Green Economy” by prohibiting harmful agricultural practices such as bush burning and push for a ban on the use of agrochemicals that are harmful to the soil and poisonous for human and animal consumption.
⦁ Legislate on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to designate areas for specific activities, such as fishing, shipping and conservation. This helps reduce conflicts and ensures sustainable use of marine
resources.
⦁ Legislate/oversee regulations and quotas to prevent overfishing, combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and promote sustainable fishing practices.
⦁ Adopt legislative measures to support research and development in blue technologies, such as ocean monitoring systems, sustainable fishing gear, and offshore renewable energy.
⦁ Support the development of a National Policy on Organic Agriculture in a consultative manner along with all relevant stakeholders.
⦁ Encourage the Executive to develop a comprehensive National Blue Economy Strategy that outlines goals, priorities, and actions for sustainable development and growth in the blue economy sector.
⦁ Improved Business Environment and Tax Reforms: As noted by the World Bank, Nigeria has made progress in advancing reforms to eliminate constraints in the business environment, especially through actions driven by the Presidential Enabling Business

Environment Council (PEBEC). However, Nigeria’s ability to attract domestic and foreign investment remains low compared to its peers. The House will:
⦁ Work with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other relevant agencies to promote the streamlining and digitisation of the business registration process to reduce bottlenecks and delays.
⦁ Work closely with the Executive to review and update tax laws and policies to modernise the tax system, improve transparency and predictability and offer incentives to businesses and foreign investors.
⦁ Introduce legislation to provide tax incentives for investment in priority sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure development.
⦁ Support the Executive to provide reliable infrastructure needed to attract investors.
⦁ Develop legislation to improve access to finance, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
⦁ Collaborate with the Executive and relevant labour organisations to modernise labour laws to make the business environment more attractive.
⦁ Support the creation of special economic zones offering incentives for foreign businesses and ensuring no discrimination against foreign investors.
⦁ Enact legislation to promote domestic and foreign investment by streamlining bureaucratic processes and incentivising investors through investor-friendly policies to attract investment to Nigeria.
⦁ Advancement of Innovation and Technology: Strengthening innovation and technology is pivotal for economic growth and

enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness. This is critical given the vast pool of young and talented people. Progress in this sector will foster the development of innovation and technology across various sectors in Nigeria, promote economic growth, enhance productivity and improve the quality of life of Nigerian citizens. In its commitment to the promotion of technology innovation, development and deployment in Nigeria, the 10th House will:
⦁ Ensure the full implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act, 2022,
⦁ Adopt legislative measures that strengthen intellectual property rights to encourage innovation.
⦁ Enact policies that encourage the use and development of local technological content.This can help nurture local tech industries and reduce reliance on foreign technology.
⦁ Introduce a national innovation strategy to prioritise achievements in digital transformation, research and development, entrepreneurship, capacity building and economic development.
⦁ Legislate to promote digital skills development programmes, including coding and programming training.
⦁ Develop regulatory frameworks for emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, FinTech and Internet of Things (IoT).
⦁ Enact legislation to mandate the digital transformation of government services towards using e-governance, digital platforms and open data initiatives to achieve efficiency, transparency and citizens’ engagement in public service delivery.
⦁ Enact a Local Content legislation targeting other major sectors of the economy i.e., ICT and Construction, etc.

AGENDA 5:
SOCIAL SECTOR
REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT

⦁ Education
The House will encourage measures through legislation, oversight and outreach to ensure the full achievement of Universal Basic Education, Almajiri education and Technical education in Nigeria. Where necessary, legislation will ensure access to quality education, improve the infrastructure of learning institutions and teacher quality, and foster digital learning and technical education in Nigeria’s educational system. Efforts to make the constitutional provision of education a
fundamental right will be revisited.
⦁ Universal Basic Education
Reforming the education sector is a crucial step towards achieving sustainable development and improving the quality of life for all Nigerians.

The House will implement some of the following tailored legislative measures.
⦁ Amend the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Act 2004 to increase the share of the Consolidated Revenue Fund allocated to UBEC from 2% to 4%. The goal is to ensure that the allocation to education meets the recommended benchmark by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) of 15-20% share of the total national budget.
⦁ Enact a law that promotes the education of children with special needs, ensuring they have access to quality education in inclusive settings.
⦁ Prioritise resource allocation to basic and secondary institutions and agencies.
⦁ Secondary Education
⦁ Work with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to support the review and update of the national curricula to meet global standards and respond to the specific needs of Nigeria.
⦁ Support the Executive to improve teachers’ remuneration and welfare and attract the best talents.
⦁ Increase budgetary allocation for school infrastructure, facilities and technology integration.
⦁ Ensure that funds are provided to school safety and security through basic facilities like fencing, gates, lighting, and communication equipment to provide early and secondary warning to students and security agencies.
⦁ Ensure robust oversight of the recently established National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) to reposition our Secondary School graduates for global competitiveness and intervene in critical areas such as infrastructure deficit, human capacity development and instructional materials.

⦁ Technical Education
Reforming and modernising the technical education system is pivotal for equipping students with the skills required to thrive in the modern era and contribute effectively to Nigeria’s economic growth. Existing laws will be amended or introduced if necessary to improve Nigeria’s technical and vocational school system. Some legislative priorities of the House are:
⦁ Work with the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) to update the technical education curriculum to align with industry needs, ensuring students learn relevant skills. The curriculum will be tailored to address local challenges and opportunities.

⦁ Ensure the new curricula integrate entrepreneurship modules to enable students to start their ventures.
⦁ Ensure integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and renewable energy into the curriculum.
⦁ Allocate funds to improve existing infrastructure, recruit qualified instructors, and train existing ones.

⦁ Provide more funding for the needed infrastructure: modern laboratories, workshops, and equipment.
⦁ Strengthen and expand TVET programs to equip students with practical skills for the job market.
⦁ Work with the Executive to amend the Students Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023, to include the provision of scholarships and financial aid for students pursuing technical education.
⦁ Encourage private sector involvement in funding, curriculum development and providing resources for technical education.
⦁ Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education
The Almajiri education system in Nigeria has faced several challenges over the years, particularly concerning the welfare and well-being of the children involved. It has also been associated with child begging, maltreatment, and lack of access to formal education. Furthermore, the number of out-of-school children is significantly high, especially in the northern part of the country. The House will address both issues through a multifaceted approach that includes:
⦁ Support the full take-off of the newly established National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (OOSC).
⦁ Ensure the integration of Qur’anic and formal education to encourage children to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills.
⦁ Support the development of a curriculum incorporating formal education, skills acquisition and vocation training in the Almajiri system.
⦁ Support establishing standardised and well-equipped Almajiri schools and ensure regular inspection and accreditation.
⦁ Engage religious and community leaders in these campaigns to give our legislative measures in this regard more credibility and acceptance.

⦁ Ensure that social intervention programmes of government are tailored to address underlying issues like poverty, which is a significant factor contributing to the Almajiri system and the high number of out-of-school children.
⦁ Undertake oversight of the National Commission for Almajiri Education and Out-of-School Children.

⦁ Healthcare
The 10th House of Representatives is aware of the poor state of the health sector, which was further worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are committed to reforming healthcare to adequately cater to Nigerians’ needs and respond better to emergencies like pandemics. Accordingly, the House will pursue the following objectives:
⦁ Allocate a higher percentage of the national budget to the health sector, aligning with the Abuja Declaration, which recommends that at least 15% of the national budget be allocated to health.
⦁ Amend the National Health Act to increase funding for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from 1% to at least 2% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to tackle prevalent deficiencies in healthcare resources and infrastructure.

⦁ Allocate funds and encourage research in tropical diseases, traditional medicine, vaccine development, innovative treatment modalities and other areas relevant to Nigeria’s health challenges.
⦁ Focus on improving access to primary healthcare services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
⦁ Ensure a universal health insurance system to ensure all citizens have access to affordable healthcare and expand the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to achieve nationwide coverage of a broader range of services and ensure efficient operation.
⦁ Promote legislation to facilitate the adoption and integration of new healthcare technology such as electronic health records, telemedicine, and remote patient monitoring.
⦁ Legislative action will be taken to improve the recruitment, training and retention of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and other allied healthcare workers.
⦁ Strengthen the regulatory bodies overseeing the health sector to ensure adherence to global best practices.
⦁ Revisit laws related to public health concerns such as sanitation, vaccination, and disease control, especially the Quarantine Act of 1926.
⦁ Introduce measures to ensure universal access to healthcare and nutrition services, including sexual and reproductive health, as well as medical and psychosocial care for survivors of sexual and gender- based violence and harmful practices.
⦁ Infrastructure Development
As Africa’s most populous country and one of its largest economies, Nigeria has significant infrastructure gaps often cited as barriers to its economic development.Addressing these deficits requires comprehensive legislative measures and strategic investments. The House will focus on addressing the deficits in energy and powers, roads and highways, rail transport, ports and aviation.

⦁ Energy and Power
Nigeria’s power and energy sector has long faced challenges related to insufficient generation and transmission capacity, energy theft, inefficient distribution, tariffs, corruption, etc. Legislative reforms can go a long way in addressing these challenges and ensuring that the country meets its energy needs sustainably.The 10th House expresses its commitment to the following:

⦁ Review and strengthen existing legal frameworks, including the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to reflect current realities.

⦁ Prioritise investments in the transmission and distribution infrastructure to reduce technical and non-technical losses.
⦁ Prioritise investments in the transmission and distribution infrastructure to reduce technical and non-technical losses.
⦁ Decentralise energy production by promoting off-grid solutions, especially in rural areas where grid connectivity is challenging.
⦁ Support the implementation of tariffs that reflect the true cost of

electricity generation and distribution.
⦁ Strengthen legislation to Increase penalties for energy theft, meter tampering, and vandalism of energy infrastructure.
⦁ Adopt legislative measures to promote renewable energy through tax incentives, grants, etc., for investments in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro.
⦁ Mandate regular and transparent audits of all entities in the energy sector to curb corruption.
⦁ Implement stricter penalties for oil companies that flare gas, a practice that is not only environmentally harmful but also wasteful as the gas could be harnessed for power generation.

⦁ Roads and Highways
Nigeria’s transport sector, despite its potential, faces several deficits and challenges that have hampered its growth and effectiveness, including the infrastructure gap, inadequate mass transit, limited funding, deficit in skilled workforce and regulatory challenges. Yet, the sector is multi- sectoral and directly impacts economic activities and development. The House is committed to the following:

⦁ Support the finalisation of a comprehensive National Transport Policy that outlines the vision, goals, and strategies for developing the sector in line with current realities.
⦁ Allocate significant funds for constructing, maintaining, and upgrading
national transport infrastructure.
⦁ Encourage the development of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, light rail, and other mass transit initiatives. Specifically, the House will support the Executive’s commitment to LNG and CNG-powered mass transit buses.
⦁ Prioritise the development of transport networks in rural areas to ensure they are connected to urban centres, promoting economic activities and integration.
⦁ Support the development of other modes of transport to reduce the stress on our roads and improve inter-modalism.
⦁ Regulate tariffs and pricing in the transport sector to ensure affordability and sustainability for service providers.
Rail Transport
⦁ Establish a dedicated fund for rail development, sourced from levies, taxes, and possibly a percentage of oil revenue, ensuring consistent funding for national rail projects.
⦁ Strengthen the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for infrastructure projects and leverage private sector expertise and funding.
⦁ Support the Federal Ministry of
Transportation to actualise the

“Twenty – Five Year Rail Strategic Plan” developed in 2002.
⦁ Ensure that rail networks are seamlessly connected with other modes of transportation (roads, ports, and airports) to enhance the movement of goods and passengers.
⦁ Encourage the adoption of modern rail technologies such as high- speed trains, automated signaling systems, and digital ticketing platforms.

⦁ Inland Waterways and Ports
The potential of the National Inland Waterways Authority remains untapped. Efforts will be made to identify and fully mobilise them for national development as follows:
⦁ Strengthen the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) by revising its enabling act, ensuring it has the mandate and resources to efficiently oversee and develop inland waterways.
⦁ Allocate significant funds specifically for modernising, developing,
maintaining, and upgrading ports and inland waterway infrastructure, including jetties, docks, berths, and terminals.
⦁ Encourage Public-Private Partnerships to support port operations and for the development of waterway infrastructure and operations. Offer tax incentives or breaks to private entities investing in the inland waterways sector.
⦁ Revise and strengthen the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Act, ensuring it has a clear mandate, authority, and resources to efficiently manage and develop the ports.

⦁ Conduct oversight and ensure the implementation of strict regulations to reduce bureaucracy and streamline port operations.
⦁ Aviation
⦁ The aviation sector is critical for fostering economic growth, enhancing connectivity, and promoting tourism. Reforming and strengthening the aviation sector requires a multifaceted approach addressing the regulatory environment and operational challenges.
⦁ Appropriate sufficient funds for upgrading and expanding airport infrastructure, including runways, terminals, and air traffic control facilities.

⦁ Adopt legislative measures to encourage private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for airport development and management.
⦁ Interface with the Executive on entering “Open Skies” agreements with strategic countries to promote competition, reduce airfares, and improve connectivity.
⦁ Enact stringent regulations to protect passengers’ rights concerning flight delays, cancellations, lost baggage, and other grievances. We will also strengthen the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to perform its statutory responsibilities better.

⦁ Collaborate with the Executive on tax reforms focusing on providing tax breaks, grants, or subsidised loans to airlines and other aviation businesses facing financial challenges.
⦁ Support the provision of support mechanisms for domestic airlines to thrive, such as subsidised aviation fuel or tax breaks.
⦁ Mandate regular safety audits and assessments of airlines and airports and improve funding and training for aviation security personnel and equipment.

⦁ Pension
Over the years, our pension system has faced challenges related to inefficiency, corruption, delayed payments, underfunding, and lack of inclusivity. Pensioners complain of difficulty accessing pension payments and the inadequacy of monthly payments. The current provision for access to only 25 per cent of pension funds upon fulfilment of statutory requirements is deemed insufficient. Therefore, reforming the pension system is crucial to ensure that retirees live with dignity and that workers have confidence in the system.

Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives

⦁ Scrutinise the provisions and implementation of the Pension Reform Act to identify gaps and address emerging challenges in pension management and administration.
⦁ The House will engage with pension stakeholders to achieve a review of pension fund management, ensure employers’ compliance with pension contributory schemes and oversee the enforcement of pension regulations. Upon completing the review with stakeholders, necessary amendments will be made to achieve a robust, more efficient and effective pension scheme.
⦁ Mandate transparent and frequent audits of pension funds and administrators and impose disclosure requirements on Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).
⦁ Legislate to expand coverage through schemes tailored to include workers in the informal sector.
⦁ Explore the need for legislation to allow a percentage of pension funds to be invested in critical infrastructure projects.

Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives

AGENDA 6:
INCLUSION AND OPEN PARLIAMENT

It has been widely acknowledged that “inclusion” and “open parliament” are pivotal for modern democracies. They aim to make government processes more transparent, participatory, and accountable, thus bolstering the overall democratic structure. The 10th House of Representatives recognises the importance of its relationship with the public and stakeholders and will take steps to strengthen and expand these relationships.
⦁ Women’s Political Representation and Participation
Improving women’s political representation and participation in Nigeria is essential for achieving a more inclusive, balanced, and democratic society.While the participation of women in Nigeria’s political sphere has gradually increased over the years, it is still far from optimal. Legislative reform can be crucial in increasing women’s representation in politics.

The 10th House of Representatives will take legislative actions to promote women’s political representation and participation as follows:
⦁ Re-introduce and support the Bill on temporary special seats for women in the Constitution amendment efforts of the 10th National Assembly.
⦁ Legislate to increase women’s representation in elective positions by creating special women-only seats in the Senate and House of Representatives and encouraging State Houses of Assembly to do the same.
⦁ Introduce electoral reforms to implement mandatory requirements for political parties to have a certain percentage of female candidates and in party leadership structure.
⦁ Promote funding or subsidies specifically for female candidates to reduce the financial barriers to entry.
⦁ Strengthen the Electoral Act 2022 to penalise violence, intimidation and harassment against women in politics.
⦁ Prioritise financing for mainstreaming Gender Equality, including the National Gender Policy, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) and the Child Rights Act, with costed plans at the state level and gender-responsive planning and budgeting at the Federal and State levels.
⦁ Pass the Gender Equal Opportunities Bill (GEOB) to ensure women are active and equal participants in Nigeria’s political and decision- making processes.
⦁ Strengthen oversight of government institutions to ensure compliance with the National Gender Policy and court judgement on the full implementation of the 35% affirmative action on appointive and elective positions in both public and private sectors.
⦁ Strengthen the women’s caucus in the House to better advocate for women-specific issues and mentor upcoming female politicians.
⦁ Support maternity leave for up to six months.

⦁ Amend the Police Act 2022 to ensure uniformity in the enlistment requirements for men and women; amend the rule that excludes married women from enlisting in the police and delete the regulation that provides that unmarried women may only marry after they have served in the police for three years subject to approval from a police commissioner.
⦁ Revisit the Labour Act to ensure increased opportunities for women and delete sections that empower a minister of Labour to make regulations prohibiting or restricting women’s employment.

⦁ Youths and Sports Development
Nigeria has one of the youngest populations in the world, with a significant proportion under the age of 30. Given the potential of this demographic, we must prioritise youth development. Also, sports has been a tool for national cohesion and unity in Nigeria. The 10th House of Representatives will prioritise these legislative measures to promote youth and sports development.
⦁ Increase institutional and financial support to the Young Parliamentarians Forum to increase youth participation in the legislature.

⦁ Support the establishment of empowerment programmes, vocational training centres, and skill development initiatives to equip young Nigerians with relevant skills for the job market.
⦁ Increase the budget allocation for education, focusing on modern curricula, infrastructure, vocational training, and technological skills (see Agenda 5 above).
⦁ Drive legislation that supports promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education at all levels, as well as establishing technology incubators and accelerators (see Agenda 5 above).
⦁ Incentivise private sector companies to employ and train youth through tax breaks or grants.
⦁ Support the Executive to launch public work programmes targeting young people, especially in infrastructure development and agriculture.
⦁ Mandate representation of young people in decision-making bodies, such as boards, committees, and councils, at all levels of government.
⦁ Support the development programmes that enable young farmers to access land and modern farming equipment.
⦁ Develop a National Assembly Youth Engagement Strategy in collaboration with stakeholders such as National Youth Parliament, YIAGA Africa etc. to provide a framework for sustained youth engagement in legislative governance.
⦁ Initiate legislative measures that promote sports development as tools for national unity and cohesion.
⦁ Support the development of sports at grassroots levels, in schools, and among underrepresented groups.
⦁ Introduce and expand a legislative mentorship programme in collaboration with stakeholders, including National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), etc.

⦁ Open Parliament and Citizens Engagement
Promoting an open parliament and citizens’ engagement is crucial for strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. An open parliament fosters a two- way dialogue between elected representatives and the citizens they serve. The 10th House, dubbed the “People’s House”, will ensure that legislative processes are transparent and make our records, proceedings, and decisions accessible. When citizens can see how decisions are made, it enhances trust in the democratic process.The House is committed to the following:
⦁ Create a centralised digital portal for all legislative documents, including bills, votes and proceedings, Official Reports, committee reports, etc.
⦁ Strengthen NASS TV to steam legislative sessions and committee meetings.
⦁ Provide regular broadcast slots for parliamentary proceedings and discussions on public television and radio.
⦁ Launch a dedicated website for the House of Representatives and the office of the Speaker to make legislative documents available to the public and provide a mechanism for feedback.

⦁ Strengthen public participation in legislation and other legislative matters, including public hearings, town hall meetings, House of Representatives Open Week, online consultations, etc.
⦁ Set up dedicated channels, such as helplines or online portals, for citizens to provide feedback, ask questions, or file grievances related to legislative work.
⦁ Support the development of a policy to make government datasets available in open and machine-readable formats, facilitating easy analysis and understanding by the public.
⦁ Encourage committees to hold regular outreach programs and consultations with civil society and citizens.
⦁ Establish formalised partnerships with NGOs, think tanks, and civil society organisations that promote transparency, accountability, and public engagement, including BudgIT, Tracka, Follow The Money, YIAGA Africa, etc.
⦁ Create modalities for CSOs to contribute effectively to the oversight functions of the National Assembly and its Committees as part of the Open House initiative.
⦁ Mandate the publication of sessional/annual reports detailing House activities, budgets, and outcomes.
⦁ Promote programmes targeting the youth demographic, introducing them to legislative processes and promoting active participation (school programmes,Youth Parliament, etc.)
⦁ Work with the National Assembly bureaucracy to activate and
strengthen the civil society liaison office in the National Assembly.
⦁ Review the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and other legislations to remove barriers that hinder CSOs from delivering on their mandate.
⦁ Create a framework in partnership with relevant stakeholders such as NILDS, YIAGA Africa, etc., on constituency relations and constituency office management.

⦁ Inclusion of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in National Planning
The welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) is an area that demands urgent and comprehensive attention. The House will adopt the following legislative measures to uphold their rights, dignity, and welfare.

⦁ Make laws and create mechanisms that allow IDPs to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives and ensure the inclusion of IDPs in the government’s socioeconomic development plans and provision of basic services.

⦁ Create a framework for the safe and voluntary return or resettlement of IDPs, ensuring they can make informed decisions.

⦁ Carry out effective oversight to ensure the implementation of the Disability (Prohibition) Act by the Executive.

⦁ Encourage relevant Committees of the House to review the extant laws and propose amendments, especially at the level of enforcement. This will include attention to social protection programs that affect children, especially those affected by war or conflict, low-income families, and low-income people.

⦁ Oversight of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 to ensure that its provisions regarding discrimination, healthcare, accessibility, education, employment, and healthcare are enforced.

⦁ Promote the representation of PLWDs in decision-making bodies at all levels, ensuring their unique challenges and needs are addressed.

⦁ Media
The House of Representatives recognises that the media plays an integral role in the functioning of legislative work, serving as a bridge between legislators and the public. Accordingly, the House will engage with the media to promote preserving freedom of expression and the press regarding reporting news and expressing opinions on national development issues.
⦁ Review of laws and practices that restrict press freedom and the ability of the media to carry out its constitutional role.
⦁ Enhance good governance practices, transparency and accountability through media chats, public hearings, townhall meetings, etc.
⦁ Undertake a revalidation and the accreditation of journalists to cover legislative proceedings, ensuring they can access sessions, committee meetings, and lawmakers.
⦁ Strengthen and improve House official digital platforms and apps
where legislative data are available in real-time.

AGENDA 7:
INFLUENCING AND DIRECTING FOREIGN POLICY

Since independence, Nigeria’s foreign policy has largely revolved around our position as a regional power in West Africa and a significant player on the African continent. However, experts have noted the declining influence on the international front in the last decade. The 10th House recognises that foreign policy typically falls under the purview of the Executive. However, the legislature also has a significant role in influencing, creating, and directing foreign policy. This is especially the case in presidential systems like Nigeria’s. Accordingly, the House will propose legislative measures to provide a robust framework for Nigeria’s foreign policy, strengthening diplomatic relations, promoting economic interests, enhancing security cooperation, global peace, and development and positioning Nigeria as an active and influential player in the international community. Other areas of intervention include ensuring that foreign policy promotes and protects the interests of Nigeria and its citizens within and outside the country and guides diplomacy and

multilateral relations with other countries and international bodies.
Specific legislative actions of the House are:
⦁ Review all treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory to domesticate them.
⦁ Ensure compliance with constitutional processes established for entry into treaties.
⦁ Harmonise the provisions of the Constitution and the Treaty Ratification Act to ensure consistency.
⦁ Improve funding for Nigerian diplomatic missions to promote economic diplomacy.
⦁ Collaborate with the Executive to establish a comprehensive economic diplomacy framework that integrates Nigeria’s economic interests, trade promotion, investment facilitation and economic cooperation into the larger context of our foreign policy.
⦁ Strengthen parliamentary diplomacy through the House Friendship Groups, where legislators engage directly with their counterparts from other countries to complement formal diplomatic channels.
⦁ Use legislative measures such as Hearings and Resolutions to promote and protect the lives and properties of Nigerians abroad.
⦁ Introduce legislation to support and enhance security cooperation, especially within the sub-region and the African continent.
⦁ Strengthen the Foreign Affairs Committee and other related
Committees to oversee Nigeria’s foreign policy.

AGENDA 8:
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Nigeria faces many environmental and climate change-related challenges, ranging from desertification, deforestation, flooding, oil pollution, erosion, waste management, loss of biodiversity,
dwindling water resources and changing weather patterns that negatively impact agriculture.Together, these factors significantly impact our economy, social structures, and the overall well-being of Nigerians. Outlined below are some of the key legislative priorities of the 10th House.
⦁ Strengthen the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to effectively enforce environmental laws, regulations, and standards and ensure compliance with international agreements, conventions, and environmental treaties.

⦁ Ensure compliance with the Climate Change Act 2021 provisions for achieving low GHG emissions and mainstreaming climate change actions into national plans and programmes.
⦁ Ensure strong oversight of NESREA and review and update the National Climate Change Policy and Response Strategy (NCCPRS), 2012.
⦁ Ensure that Nigeria meets its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions unconditionally by 20% and conditionally by 45% by 2030.
⦁ Legislate measures to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources and promote clean and sustainable energy production, access and consumption. In this regard, the House will consider the National Clean Cooking Strategy to determine progress made and obstacles.
⦁ Encourage collaboration with international organisations such as the World Bank in addressing climate-change-related challenges.
⦁ Provide more funding for training and equipping the frontline enforcement personnel and educating communities and the public about the effects of climate change.
⦁ Review current laws on environmental pollution to strengthen penalties and sanctions for gas flaring.
⦁ Legislate on appropriate tax breaks or subsidies for companies that invest in gas capture and utilisation projects.
⦁ Expedite the passage of the Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Punishment) Bill to minimise the environmental and social impact of gas flaring in oil-producing areas. It proposes strict penalties for companies that engage in gas flaring.

⦁ Give legal backing to the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP) adopted in 2015 to increase the use of renewable energy sources, improve energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
⦁ Review and engage stakeholders on the National Oceans Policy that focuses on the sustainable management and conservation of Nigeria’s marine and coastal resources.
⦁ Support initiatives by the Executive targeted at promoting sanitation
⦁ Support the implementation of the National Policy on Solid Waste Management in Nigeria, which promotes using the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) approach, encourages public-private partnerships in waste management, and aims to establish waste-to-wealth initiatives.
⦁ Promote e-government to achieve a paperless system
⦁ Give legislative backing to the E-Waste Management Regulation, 2018, introduced to manage and control the importation, production, distribution, storage, and disposal of electrical and electronic
⦁ Utilise legislative frameworks to support efforts to repair and restore terrain damaged by fossil fuel exploration and transport, urban expansion, erosion, commercial logging and environmental degradation.
⦁ Undertake a broad range of legislative activism and public education.

CONCLUSION

This Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, the most comprehensive yet, was developed with the input of numerous stakeholders, including the House, Judiciary, legislative bureaucracy, civil society, media, private sector and other actors. This approach was deliberately adopted to ensure that diverse perspectives and expertise are reflected in the final draft and that the unique insights enrich our legislative process. Stakeholders, particularly from specialised sectors, provided technical expertise and knowledge that have enriched this document. By engaging stakeholders, the Legislative Agenda is comprehensive, inclusive, and pragmatic in its legislative interventions. This is particularly important in addressing multifaceted issues that require holistic approaches. Additionally, through this collaborative effort, we intend to foster transparency and open dialogue and build public trust in the democratic institutions and the legislative process. When stakeholders feel heard and valued, they are more likely to support and
advocate for the legislative agenda.

As the 10th House of Representatives embarks on its mission to utilise legislative measures to promote good governance and economic growth and development, we recognise the invaluable role each of you plays in this journey. Your insights, expertise, and dedication to our collective well-being are the pillars upon which our democratic process rests. We recognise that meaningful legislative work cannot be crafted in isolation. It requires the collective wisdom of our entire society, from industry experts and civil society activists to grassroots organisations and everyday citizens.Your voices, concerns, and aspirations are integral to the policies we aim to enact.

Thus, implementing the strategies outlined in this Agenda requires continuous engagement with all stakeholders. Therefore, we sincerely invite you to partner with us, engage in open dialogue, and collaboratively deliver on the objectives contained in this legislative agenda that reflects our shared vision for a prosperous and inclusive nation. Together, let us embark on this path of co-creation, ensuring that all aspects of our legislative work (lawmaking, representation and oversight) resonate with the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians. Suffice it to say that this Agenda remains a dynamic and living document, and the House welcomes suggestions and new ideas on how to deliver good governance and make our nation better.

SECTION B IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

This section provides guidelines on the mode of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of progress on the Legislative Agenda. The 10th National Assembly intends to implement each segment of its Legislative Agenda using the following strategy and plan outlined below:

Legislative Objectives Short-Term Goals 2023 Medium Term Goals 2024-2025 Long-Term Goals 2025-2027 Responsible Parties
Strengthening Good Governance

Rule of Law and Human Rights ⦁ Ensure laws and policies that protect human rights are implemented effectively.
⦁ Strengthen the National Human Rights Commission to make it more effective.
⦁ Strengthen the Human Rights Committee of the House to conduct oversight of government agencies and promote human rights education and human rights ombuds in law enforcement agencies (e.g., Police Act, 2022, the Armed Forces Act). ⦁ Initiate legal reforms to address systemic human right issues (e.g., improving the criminal justice system, prison conditions, access to justice, etc.).
⦁ Continuous review and reform the existing legal frameworks to ensure they aligns with international human rights standards.
⦁ Partner with civil society organizations in advocating, monitoring, and reporting human rights issues.

⦁ Pass legislation that protects and promote human rights
⦁ Domesticate the relevant international human rights treaties

⦁ Committee on Human Rights.
⦁ Civil Society & Dev. Matters.

Anti-Corruption and Legislative Oversight

⦁ Expedite passage of the Whistleblower Protection Bill to protect witnesses in security-related cases to encourage more people to come forward with information.
⦁ Strengthen the existing legal frameworks regulating anti- corruption agencies.
⦁ Ensure independence of anti- corruption agencies.
⦁ Provide comprehensive coverage for investigative hearings on anti-corruption issues and follow through with implementation of Committee recommendations through
the power of the purse.
⦁ Committee on Anti-Corruption
⦁ Legislative Compliance
⦁ Civil Society & Dev. Matters.
⦁ Ensure that Committees utilize the available tools in the oversight of MDAs. The recommended Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) standards for oversight activities by Committees will be encouraged, focusing on the conduct
of regular hearings and inquiries/ investigations, timely and unrestricted access to the documents, reports, and data relevant to oversight.
⦁ Improved funding to Committees for oversight.
⦁ Develop performance metrics and indicators to measure success and use data-driven insights in oversight.
⦁ Build partnership with civil society as it relates to oversight.
⦁ Adopt technology to streamline and improve the House oversight processes.
⦁ Ensure regular publishing of oversight
reports, findings, and recommendations. ⦁ Strengthen Committees of the House to enhance their oversight functions.
⦁ Improve the capacity of the Public Accounts and Finance Committees to undertake their constitutionally assigned mandates.
⦁ Introduce sectoral debates at plenary to promote transparency and accountability in government operations
⦁ Investing in training and re- training of Committee Members and staff to strengthen them to support oversight activities.
⦁ Strengthen existing anti-corruption agencies frameworks to consolidate their functions and operations and promote synergy and information sharing for effectiveness.
⦁ Pass legislation to enforce penalties and sanctions for breach of legislative summons.
⦁ Embrace technology to streamline and improve the House oversight processes.

⦁ Documentinvestigative hearings with recommendations implemented for legacy purpose.
⦁ Follow up on enforcement of penalties for corrupt practices by the appropriate authorities.
⦁ Consider and pass Legislative measures that will strengthen transparent and competitive processes for public procurement to prevent corruption through update of relevant legislations.
⦁ Ensure access to information and protect fundamental freedoms through adherence to national laws and international agreements signed to by Nigeria.
⦁ Regularly and adequately fund oversight.
⦁ Introduce legislative measures to mandate collaboration and synergy in the activities of anti-corruption agencies.

⦁ Treaties, Protocols & Agreement.
⦁ Public Procurement
⦁ PCU (Office of the Speaker).
⦁ House Leadership
⦁ Monitoring and Evaluation of Standing/Ad-hoc Committee.
⦁ FOI Reforms of Government Institutions.

Legislative Objectives Short-Term Goals 2023 Medium Term Goals 2024-2025 Long-Term Goals 2025-2027 Responsible Parties

Strengthening the Judiciary

⦁ Strengthen the existing framework (law) to regulate the process of selection and appointment of judges outlining detailed processes and requirements
as well as greater transparency.
⦁ Ensure compliance to constitutional provisions and guidelines through oversight.
⦁ Enhance transparency and public accountability through adequate oversight by relevant committees oversighting the judiciary.
⦁ Legislative measures to require the FJSC to conduct written tests and interviews rather than the NJC
⦁ Support the full implementation of judicial financial independence as guaranteed by the Fifth Constitutional Alteration,

⦁ Expand membership of the appointing institutions
⦁ Promote measures that ensure inclusion and respect for diversity in appointment of judges
⦁ Amendment of the Constitution to review appointing powers of members of the CJN for FJSC and NJC
⦁ Review the composition of members of FJSC and NJC for broader representation especially as it concerns the appointment of CJN, PCA and other Heads of the Federal Courts
⦁ Reform the process by Constitutional amendment to include the direct appointment of qualified legal practitioners from the Bar.
⦁ Provide adequate resources (human and finances) for speedy dispensation of justice.
⦁ Support the introduction of a merit-based system in appointment and promotion of judges
⦁ Expanding and strengthening legislative scrutiny and create legal framework to regulate the process
⦁ Amendment of the Constitution to enable President to reject recommendations where objective public complaints and objections are raised against the recommended candidates and request for another recommendation
⦁ Amendment of the Constitution to include the power of Senate to conduct public hearings and possibility of refusal to confirm based on findings from objective public complaints
⦁ Consult on the merit of establishing specialised courts to handle specific types of cases, which could expedite case resolution and reduce backlogs.

⦁ Committee on Judiciary.
⦁ Constitutional Reforms.
⦁ Justice

Strengthening Institutional and Legislative Capacity

⦁ Improve the infrastructure at the House.
⦁ Develop a Code of Ethical Conduct for Staff of the House.
⦁ Enhance and deepen the use of ICT in the House.
⦁ Ensure effective reporting, management, and storage of information in the House.
⦁ Build Capacity of Members and staff on legislative processes and procedures.
⦁ Develop Standard Operating Procedures for Committees on Oversight (an Oversight Manual and Guidelines).
⦁ Ensure compliance with the Ethical Code of the House.
⦁ Ensure timely submission and submission of reports by Committees, including quarterly and sessional reports, reports of specialized Committee activities.
⦁ Ensure effective tracking of legislation Resolutions through the Committee on Legislative Compliance.
⦁ Enhance collaboration with national and international institutions as well as development partners.
⦁ Strengthen the legislative support institutions, including NILDS and NABRO, to meet their mandate of building capacity and providing technical support to the National Assembly.
⦁ Ensure speedy passage of the NABRO Bill and provide adequate funding for its operations to support the work of the National Assembly especially with regards the budget.
⦁ Adequate funding and staffing of Committees.
⦁ Develop milestones and key performance indicators for Committees to ensure that they operate efficiently and effectively.
⦁ Improve Interaction with Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in the State.
⦁ Strengthen research capacity for oversight.
⦁ Benchmark Committee activities and performance against the Legislative Agenda.
⦁ Support Members to maintain functional Constituency Offices.

⦁ Strengthen the Committee on Legislative Compliance to track legislative resolutions.
⦁ Regular monitoring and tracking of Committee activities. ⦁ House Leadership
⦁ Committee on Institutional Reforms.
⦁ Legislative Compliance
⦁ Ethics and Privileges
⦁ Legislative Library, Research and Documentation.
⦁ Information Technology.
⦁ Media and Public Affairs.
⦁ Civil Society and Development Matters.
⦁ Constituency Outreach.
⦁ Monitoring and Evaluation of Standing/Ad-hoc Committee.
⦁ PCU (Office of the Speaker).

⦁ Internal Commu- nications

⦁ Develop a Communication Strategy for the HoR with clear protocols, guidelines, and procedures to ensure consistency and clarity in internal communications
⦁ Implement digital platforms and tools for internal communication, such as email, intranet systems, and
collaboration software. Also, the House will ensure secure messaging platforms for confidential communication
among lawmakers and staff.
⦁ Provide training and workshops on effective communication
skills for Members and staff.
⦁ Publish internal reports and relevant documents on a secure intranet system, accessible to all Members and staff.
⦁ Keep Members informed through electronic means about the progress of legislative proposals, upcoming debates, and voting schedules.
⦁ Continued Production of regular internal newsletters or publications that summarise legislative activities, achievements, and important updates. ⦁ Improve all aspects of information sharing among Members of the National Assembly, between Committees, departments, and units of the
National Assembly, and among staff.
⦁ Provide infrastructure for internal communications.The goal will
be to develop an interdependent communications infrastructure that will be open, accessible, transparent, and seamless to build synergy and support service delivery on the institutional goals of the National Assembly.
⦁ Facilitate effective communication among House committees by providing them with the necessary resources and administrative support.
⦁ Provide background information, research findings, and analysis to help Members make informed decisions and improve the quality of debates. Internal mechanisms in the House and collaboration with support agencies (NILDS, NABRO) and civil society will also be strengthened.
⦁ Ensure secure messaging platforms for confidential communication among lawmakers and staff.
⦁ Develop and rehearse crisis communication plans to ensure that all Members and staff are well-prepared to respond to
emergencies or unexpected events.

⦁ Encourage House leadership to lead by example, promoting effective communication, transparency, and open dialogue.
⦁ Document all Committee activities especially legacy achievements in the next 4 years both electronically and in a publication. (Archival system)
⦁ Ensure the timely publication and dissemination of Hansard.

⦁ House Leadership.
⦁ House Services.
⦁ Media & Public Relations.
⦁ Information and Technology.
⦁ Legislative Library, Research and Documentation.
⦁ CHR
⦁ PCU (Office
of the Speaker).

External Commu- nications ⦁ Strengthen the communications unit/ department in the House and the Office of the Speaker to manage better external communications, including media relations and digital outreach.
⦁ Develop a comprehensive communications strategy that outlines clear objectives, target audiences, key messages, and tactics for reaching the public and stakeholders.
⦁ Develop a dynamic and interactive website for the House of Representatives and integrate the existing Speaker’s Website to better engage with the public and publish activities of the House.
⦁ Maintain active social media accounts to reach a broader and younger audience.The House will provide updates, engage with constituents, and encourage public participation in discussions and surveys.
⦁ Issue regular press releases and updates on parliamentary activities, debates, and decisions and highlight the impact of legislative actions on the lives of citizens.
⦁ Create public awareness of the Legislature and the House through multimedia formats (videos, infographics, and podcasts) to make information more engaging and accessible.
⦁ Establish legislative liaison desks/ information centres in SHAs to give citizens access to legislative resources, information and assistance.
⦁ Foster partnerships with civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and advocacy groups to collaborate on issues of mutual interest.We shall also seek input and feedback from these organisations on legislative proposals and policies.
⦁ Ensure greater involvement of the public at public and investigative hearings.
⦁ Provide media training to parliamentarians to help them effectively communicate their views and the parliament’s activities to the public.
⦁ Publish House proceedings, agendas, and legislative documents on a publicly accessible website.

⦁ The online ‘NASSTV’ will be sustained as a television channel for legislative proceedings and
a platform where Committee Chairmen and Members can relay the progress of the work of their respective Committees to citizens.

⦁ Media and Public Relations.
⦁ Information and Technology.
⦁ Inter- Parliamentary Relations.
⦁ Civil Society & Development Matters.
⦁ PCU (Office
of the Speaker).

E-parliament ⦁ The digitisation of parliamentary records, including bills, debates, Committee reports, and legislative archives, allows for easy and efficient access to historical data and documents. To this effect, we will ensure the conversion of all its documents, including order papers, notice papers, votes and proceedings, motions, etc, into digitalised versions in line with global best practices.
⦁ Sustain live streaming and webcasting of House sessions enable citizens to observe debates and discussions in real-time, fostering transparency and public participation.
⦁ Implement digital tools and platforms that enable citizens to participate in the legislative process, submit feedback, and engage with lawmakers through online petitions, public consultations, and interactive forums.

⦁ Support the full take-off of the National Assembly Library.
⦁ Establish e-petition systems to allow citizens to submit petitions online.
⦁ Establish online portals that provide access to House proceedings, agendas, schedules, and documents, to the public and legislators to access up-to-date information.
⦁ Utilise electronic document management systems to streamline the drafting, editing, and approval of legislative documents, reducing paperwork and administrative burdens.

⦁ Promote E-Committees and develop digital platforms for committees, to manage their work efficiently. This includes electronic submission of reports, scheduling meetings, and online collaboration among committee members.

⦁ House Leadership.
⦁ Information Technology.
⦁ Legislative Library, Research and Documentation.

Inter-Chamber Synergy ⦁ Strengthen the formal communication mechanisms between the two chambers to facilitate dialogue and information sharing.
⦁ Sustain regular meetings between the leadership of both chambers to discuss overarching legislative
strategies, priorities, and challenges.
⦁ Foster a culture of mutual respect between members of both chambers, recognising the importance of each chamber’s role in the legislative process. ⦁ Develop coordinated legislative agendas to identify common priorities and areas where the House and Senate can work together effectively.
⦁ Prioritise bills and issues that require bicameral cooperation and focus on aligning legislative efforts.
⦁ Encourage public engagement by both chambers on issues of national importance by creating a feedback mechanism from citizens on the National Assembly website. ⦁ Promote joint public hearings to foster joint resolutions that are more binding on the executive.
⦁ ii. Promote synergy between Committees, especially
those with intersecting and coordinate jurisdiction, to promote effectiveness and legislative effectiveness and reduce the ‘silo’ approach to Committee work. ⦁ House Leadership.
⦁ Inter- Parliamentary Relations.
⦁ CHR
⦁ Legislative Compliance.
⦁ Monitoring and Evaluation of Implementation of Legislative Agenda.
⦁ Share research, analysis, and expert opinions between the two chambers to ensure that lawmakers have access to comprehensive information when making decisions.
⦁ Strengthe joint committees composed of members from both chambers to collaborate on specific issues, legislation, or investigations. (this is already in the standing order) it should be strengthened.

⦁ Periodically review the effectiveness of inter-chamber synergy strategies and make adjustments as needed to address emerging challenges or opportunities.

Members Welfare ⦁ Implement policies that promote work-life balance for Members.
⦁ Ensure that Members have access to sufficient office resources, including staff, technology, and research assistance.
⦁ Offer legal and financial counselling services to assist Members in managing legal issues and financial matters.To this effect, the house will create a Business Roadmap Unit to assist serving and former legislators in preparing for sustainable post-tenure business plans.
⦁ Work with legislative support institutions and partners to sustain ongoing capacity development programmes for Members.

⦁ Support Members in providing effective constituency services to address the needs and concerns of their constituents.
⦁ Establish a Business Roadmap Unit designed to assist serving and former legislators in preparing for
sustainable post-tenure business plans.
⦁ Conduct periodic reviews of Members’ welfare programs and policies to ensure they remain relevance and effective. ⦁ Have a sustained Former Members Forum like the Senators Forum that can manage the welfare of old members of the HOR to reduce pressure on presiding officers and to streamline support.
⦁ Provide funding for the design and construction of a National Assembly Hospital to provide comprehensive healthcare services to all arms of government.
⦁ Appropriate funds for the development of a health, recreational and wellness centre for Members to promote physical, social and emotional health.

⦁ House Leadership.
⦁ CHR
⦁ Constituency Outreach.
⦁ House Services.
⦁ Healthcare Services
⦁ Special Duties.
⦁ Sports
⦁ Ethics and Privileges.

Strengthened Executive- Legislative Engagement

Encourage bi-partisan and multi-party cooperation in the House to reduce polarization along political party affili- ations or other divisive tendencies.
Foster constructive and transpar- ent dialogue with mutual respect between all arms of government.
Uphold the principle of the separa- tion of powers and the indepen- dence of each arm while recognis- ing their interdependence.
Work with the Senate and the Execu- tive to establish a Tripartite Commit- tee with members drawn from the legislature, Executive, and party.The mandate of this Committee is to discuss major government policies or required legislations before they are made public or communicated to the National Assembly, especially where legislative intervention is required.
Institutionalise pre-budget engage- ment between the various MDAs and the relevant oversight committees to minimise the frictions that normally
characterise the budget process between the arms of government.We will also introduce pre-budget retreats between legislators and their counterparts from the Executive to foster collaboration.
Establish an engagement Committee comprising of representatives of the National Assembly, MDAs, and civil society.To improve understanding of the legislature and its work and create avenues for collaborative engagement.

Intergovern- mental Affairs.
Appropriations
Finance
National Planning and Economic Development.
House Leadership.

Improving National Security

Improved Accountability in the security Sector

⦁ Enact legislation that mandates a more detailed and itemised budgetary disclosure for security agencies, ensuring that while certain specifics remain confidential for national security, a general breakdown
should be accessible to the public
⦁ Pass the whistleblower protection law, encouraging individuals within security agencies to report financial malpractices without fear of retaliation.
⦁ Promote digital platforms for budget tracking, expenditure reporting, and procurement processes These platforms can enhance transparency and allow for easier monitoring by relevant authorities.
⦁ Mandate security agencies to provide periodic financial reports to designated oversight bodies, detailing their expenditures, achievements, challenges, and projections. ⦁ Mandate regular independent audits of security sector expenditures, potentially creating or empowering an independent body with the necessary clearances for this task.
⦁ Strengthen parliamentary oversight over security sector spending. Committees responsible for defence, internal security, and intelligence should have powers to scrutinise and review the full details of budgetary allocations and expenditures.
⦁ Standardise and make the procurement processes for security equipment
and services transparent to reduce the chances of inflated contracts or purchases that do not offer value for money.We will also encourage
competitive bidding and open tenders for major security-related procurements.
⦁ Introduce stricter penalties for misappropriation, misallocation, or any form of financial malpractice within the security sector.
⦁ Empower anti-corruption agencies with more autonomy and resources to investigate and prosecute financial misconduct within the security sector.

⦁ Legislate for the establishment of a Security Sector Reform Commission to oversee reforms within the security sector, including financial transparency and accountability
⦁ Amend the Constitution to expand the composition of the National Security Council to include the Senate President and the Speaker in an observer capacity
⦁ Amend the National Security Agencies Act to expand membership of the two advisory councils (the National Defence Council and the National Security Council) to include the Senate President and the Speaker in an observer capacity

⦁ Constitutional Reform.
⦁ Defence.
⦁ Army
⦁ Airforce
⦁ National Security and Intelligence.
⦁ Police Affairs.
⦁ Navy

Counter Terrorism and Counter insurgency

⦁ Strengthen the anti-terrorism Act to provide guidelines for the prosecution of suspects, and allow for international cooperation in combating terrorism.
⦁ Domesticate the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Ammunition to regulate the possession, use and trade of these weapons in Nigeria.
⦁ Collaborate with the Office of the National security Adviser to amend the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, to tackle emerging threats and protect Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) ⦁ Create legal frameworks for rehabilitating and reintegrating of ex- combatants, such as former Boko Haram militants who denounce violence.
⦁ Establish a legal framework to bolster border control, surveillance, and enhance cooperation with neighbouring countries.
⦁ Adopt legislative measures that promote economic opportunities in geo-political zones most affected by insecurity.This includes laws promoting investments, youth employment, and skills training to prevent radicalisation.
⦁ Pass the Electronic Surveillance & Communications Privacy
Bill to restrict wire taps from telephone calls and transmissions of electronic data by computer.

⦁ Develop legislative frameworks to support community-level peace and conflict resolution mechanisms, promoting dialogue.
⦁ Establish legal mechanisms to support and compensate victims of violence and insecurity.
This can help communities recover and reduce the potential for revenge attacks.

⦁ Defence.
⦁ Army
⦁ Airforce
⦁ National Security and Intelligence.
⦁ Police Affairs.
⦁ Navy
⦁ Justice
⦁ Emergency and Disaster Management.
⦁ North-East Development Commission.
⦁ Internally Displaced Persons/ Refugees.

Inter-Agency Collaboration ⦁ Strengthen existing structures and expedite the passage of a law to create a centralized hub where different intelligence and security agencies can collate, analyse and disseminate intelligence. This would ensure a coordinated approach to intelligence sharing.
⦁ Expedite the passage of amendments specifying areas of operation, responsibility, and coordination
where multiple agencies share coordinate jurisdiction. This will reduce overlap and competition. The house will ensure speedy passage of the following Bills in this regard:

⦁ Enact comprehensive data protection legislation to ensure intelligence agencies handle personal data carefully and within legal boundaries.
⦁ Create legislative guidelines for standardizing intelligence software, databases and communication tools to ensure compatibility and ease of sharing across platforms.
⦁ Pass a law to establish internal review bodies within intelligence agencies to evaluate the accuracy, relevance, and legality of intelligence.
⦁ Amend the National Security Agency Act (NSA) to enhance their capacity, collaboration, and efficiency and consolidate the position of the Coordinator of National Security with that of the National Security Adviser.
⦁ National Security and Intelligence.
⦁ Defence.
⦁ Army
⦁ Airforce
⦁ Police Affairs.
⦁ Navy
⦁ Justice
⦁ Interior
⦁ Customs and Excise
⦁ Foreign Affairs
⦁ Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill
⦁ Police Act (Amendment) Bill
⦁ Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission Act (Amendment) Bill
⦁ Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill
⦁ National Security and Civil Defence Corps Act (Amendment) Bill
⦁ Customs and Excise Management Act (Amendment) Bill
⦁ Develop a legal framework that mandates
routine inter-agency meetings, briefing and collaboration exercise to foster trust and understanding between agencies.
⦁ Ensure the speedy passage of the Whistleblower Protection Bill to protect individuals who
expose threats to national security.
⦁ Strengthen legislative oversight and accountability through the relevant committees of the House. ⦁ Enact legislation that mandates continuous training for intelligence personnel, focusing on modern intelligence-gathering techniques, analysis, inter-agency collaboration, and cybersecurity.
⦁ Collaborate with the Office of the National Security Adviser to amend the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, to bring it up to date, promote intelligence
sharing on cyber threats, and establish dedicated cyber intelligence units.
⦁ Allocate resources for acquiring modern intelligence tools, surveillance technology, and analytic software
to enhance intelligence gathering and sharing capabilities.

Police Reforms

⦁ Review the current system of policing in Nigeria to strengthen the framework for ‘community policing’ to decentralise the police structure and allow zonal commands to take prompt action on police issues.
⦁ Open up national discussion on the merits of State Police to aggregate citizen’s views and perspectives.
⦁ Mainstream human rights protection in the operations of security agencies to build trust between citizens and the government. ⦁ Adopt legislative measures to reform the Nigeria Police Force and position them as the primary agency responsible for internal security.We will focus on improving funding for training, capacity building, modern equipment procurement, human rights adherence, and community policing.
⦁ Amend the Constitution to recognise traditional institutions and define their roles with regards policing and security
⦁ Wholistic review of the Police
Act to align its functions and bring it up to date and promote synergy with other security and enforcement agencies.

⦁ Constitutional Reforms.
⦁ Police Affairs.
⦁ Human Rights.
⦁ Justice

Strengthening NASS Security & Sergeant- At-Arms

⦁ Review and revise the current duties and responsibilities of the SAA to specifically include aspects of law enforcement, security, and emergency preparedness. The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Act (2014) grants the SAA the powers, privileges and immunities of the police within the precinct of NASS.
⦁ Define clear emergency protocols for intruders, bomb threats, or natural disasters.
⦁ Ensure the Sergeant at Arms personnel receive regular training on security protocols, threat assessment, and crisis management.
⦁ Fully professionalise the SAA to provide security for the National Assembly and its precincts.
⦁ Provide that SAA receive the same level of training as the Police
⦁ Streamline the requirements for entry into the SAA
⦁ Invest in modern security equipment, such as surveillance cameras, metal detectors, and advanced access control systems.
⦁ Provide a sufficient budget for the necessary upgrades in technology, staffing, and training.

⦁ Establish a SAA Academy for the continuous training of personnel

⦁ Internal Security of the National Assembly.
⦁ CNA
⦁ National Assembly Service Commission.
⦁ Police Affairs
⦁ Institutional Reforms.
Law Reform

Improving the Process of Constitutional Reform
⦁ Streamline the procedure for constitution alteration by enacting a Constitutional Alteration Procedure law to provide a timeline for the early passage of Constitution alteration bills by the National Assembly and adoption by State Houses of Assembly.

⦁ Consolidate all constitutional alterations into a document in collaboration with the Nigeria Law Reform Commission.

⦁ Promote post- legislative scrutiny with the Judiciary focusing on constitutional alterations.
⦁ Constitutional Reforms.
⦁ CHR
⦁ Legislative Compliance.
⦁ Institutional Reforms.

Constitutional Role for Traditional Institutions

⦁ Widely consult on the merit and strategies for assigning constitutional roles to traditional institutions ⦁ Amend the Constitution to entrench traditional institutions and assign clearly defined official roles and functions and integrate them into the governance structure
⦁ Review and amend relevant existing laws and enacting new ones to clarify the legal status, privileges, immunities, and limitations of traditional leaders
⦁ Ensure that the amendment clearly specifies the roles and functions of traditional institutions to avoid overlap with existing governmental structures

⦁ Constitutional Reforms.
⦁ Traditional Institutions

Local Government Reform ⦁ Ensure that the roles and resposibilities of local governments are more clearly defined in the Constitution to prevent overlaps and conflicts with state governments.
⦁ Ensure local governments play a role in maintaining security at the grassroots level, possibly by establishing local security outfits in collaboration with the state and federal governments.
⦁ Foster a better collaboration between local governments and traditional rulers.

⦁ Alter the Constitution to recognize Local Government as an independent tier with full financial and operational autonomy.This will be done in consultation with States for a balanced approach.
⦁ Amend the Constitution to define the tenure of Local Government chairpersons and Councillors to prevent undue interference.
⦁ Amend the Constitution to provide for independent local government election commissions or strengthen State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECs).

⦁ Constitutional Reforms.
⦁ States and Lo- cal Governments.
⦁ Intergovern- mental Affairs.
⦁ Rural De- velopment.

Decongesting the Executive List

⦁ Review the Exclusive List and suggest items that could be moved to the Concurrent List.
⦁ Include the identified areas in the Constitutional Alteration process and lobby stakeholders, including the Executive and States.
⦁ Finalise the transfer of the identified items from the Exclusive to the Concurrent List.

⦁ Constitutional Reforms.

Social and Economic Rights
⦁ Review Chapter II of the Constitution and other provisions pertaining
to Economic and Social Rights
⦁ Identify and draft Bills on social and economic rights such as housing.
⦁ Pass and lobby stakeholders for concurrence and assent. ⦁ Constitutional Reforms.
⦁ Justice
⦁ Judiciary

Judicial and Legal System Reform

Ensure faster dispensation of justice and autonomy of the Judiciary.
Review the appointment and removal process for judicial officers to ensure that it is merit-based and promotes greater independence.
Work with the Nigeria Law Reform Commission to update and publish the Laws of the Federation.
Ensure the full implementation of financial autonomy for the Judiciary at all levels Undertake a comprehensive re- view of obsolete laws, aligning them with contemporary realities.
Improve the independence of the Judiciary through adequate budgetary allocation for the judiciary and for the welfare of judicial officers ad staff.
Budget for enhancing technology to expedite the digitisation of court processes and upgrade court infrastructure for swift and fair justice delivery.
Provide adequate funding for legal aid services to expand access to justice for all citizens, particularly marginalized groups and those with limited resources.

Grant more powers to state and local courts to handle issues peculiar to their regions, reducing the caseload of federal courts.

Justice Judiciary Electoral Reform

⦁ Ensure the passage of the National Electoral Offences Commission Bill to confer powers of the Commission to prosecute electoral offences.
⦁ Amend the Electoral Act to rectify gaps observed, including vague and contradictory provisions.

⦁ Pass an independent legislation (the Political Parties Bill) to regulate the registration, financing and functioning of political parties and, by so doing, allow INEC to focus
on the conduct of elections.
⦁ Make electronic transmission of results mandatory over time
⦁ Align the reconfiguration of technological devices used in between elections
⦁ Propose amendments to the Constitution on issues related to elections in Nigeria to address the following shortcomings:
⦁ Appointment of Chairman and National Commissioners of the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC);
⦁ Constitutional Reforms.
⦁ Electoral Matters
⦁ Police Affairs
⦁ Justice
⦁ Political Parties Matters

⦁ Remove the ambiguities in the Electoral Act 2022
⦁ Set up a mechanism for periodic reviews of electoral laws to ensure they remain relevant and in tune with global best practices.

⦁ Introduce early voting for eligible voters on election duty, such as INEC staff, observers and their drivers, security personnel, and journalists.
⦁ Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to allow diaspora voting by government officials around the world.
⦁ Stipulate sanctions for failure to submit register of party members not later than 30 days before the date of party primaries, congresses or conventions
⦁ Make more stringent the conditions regulating withdrawal of candidature and substitution
⦁ Allow candidates outside the political parties, as well as tax-paying citizens to file suits against candidates who provide false information to INEC regarding their candidature
⦁ Strengthen the Electoral Act to ensure that all cases are resolved and judgements made before
the date of swearing-in

⦁ Relevance or otherwise of Resident Electoral Commissioners of INEC in the States.
⦁ Amend both the constitution and the Electoral Act to:
⦁ Review the process of appointments into INEC, specifically to divest/minimize the involvement of the President in appointment of Chairman and National Commissioners of INEC
⦁ Professionalize lower level administrative appointments, including headship of state offices of INEC.
⦁ Amend the Constitution to empower INEC to conduct LGA elections
⦁ Strengthen the Electoral Act to explicitly prohibit vote buying and vote selling
⦁ Proscribe cross-carpeting not only for members of the National Assembly but also for elected executives, governors and Chairmen of LGAs.
⦁ Empower INEC to prepare for elections to fill the vacancy once it has evidence of the act of cross-carpeting

Economic Growth And Development

Economic Restructuring

⦁ Examine existing legislation and, where there are gaps, introduce reforms to encourage public-private partnerships for infrastructure development, investment projects, and service delivery.
⦁ Enact laws that streamline business registration, make it quicker and more affordable, and reduce bureaucratic red tape.
⦁ Support economic diversification with a focus on reducing dependence on oil and increasing development in other sectors across Nigeria, such as mineral resource mining, manufacturing, agro-processing, textile, tourism, and technology and general services.
⦁ Provide incentives on tax breaks to encourage innovations and for industries that have the potential for job creation and export growth.
⦁ Use legislative measures to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to open up markets and promote economic cooperation and growth.
⦁ Establish and strengthen legal frameworks that encourage Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in infrastructure development.

⦁ Legislate a comprehensive, long-term national infrastructure development plan covering transport, energy, ICT, and other key sectors.
⦁ Simplify the tax system, reducing multiple taxation and offering incentives for sectors critical to growth.
⦁ Enact laws that enhance the capital market’s transparency, liquidity, and depth to attract domestic and foreign investors.

⦁ Constitutional Reforms.
⦁ National Planning and Economic Development.
⦁ Finance
⦁ Capital Markets and Institutions.
⦁ Culture and Tourism.
⦁ Information Technology.
⦁ Works
⦁ Commerce
⦁ Cooperation and Integration for Africa

Economic Diversification & Agriculture Development

⦁ Advocate for a curriculum that aligns with industry needs, emphasising STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and vocational training.
⦁ Support the Executive to implement policies that subsidise the cost of essential agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides to reduce the cost of production for farmers.
⦁ Support policies encouraging youth and women’s participation in agriculture and addressing the ageing farming population issue.
⦁ Collaborate with the Execute to review import policies to protect local farmers from cheap imports that can undermine local production.
⦁ Provide tax breaks or incentives to organisations and businesses that invest significantly in the agricultural sector.
⦁ Enact policies that support farmers with subsidies, access to credit, and modern farming techniques.
⦁ ICT and Digital Economy: Develop legislation that promotes digital innovation, data protection, and e-commerce.
⦁ Set up special economic zones with attractive incentives to draw in international investors.
⦁ Strengthen intellectual property laws to encourage innovation and protect inventors.
⦁ Establish a legislative framework for agricultural banks or financial institutions that can provide low- interest loans to farmers.
⦁ Promote agricultural insurance schemes to shield farmers from losses caused by natural disasters, diseases, or market fluctuations.
⦁ Foster collaboration between the government and private sector in seed production, agro-processing, and agricultural infrastructure development.
⦁ Establish standards for agricultural products to meet both local and international markets. ⦁ Provide tax breaks and incentives for local manufacturers and prioritise infrastructural development that aids manufacturing.
⦁ Enact laws that protect foreign investors, ensuring that their investments are safe and guaranteeing
repatriation of profits.
⦁ Allocate funds for research and development in key economic sectors.
⦁ Develop policies that enhance Nigeria’s export potential and reduce unnecessary imports.
⦁ Pursue and legislate bilateral and multilateral trade agreements beneficial to the Nigerian economy.
⦁ Review laws and policies to streamline various interventions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Agriculture, broaden access and ease efficient use of funds.
⦁ Conduct a holistic audit of policies, programmes, investments, and results of agricultural interventions to set a new agenda for that sector based on contemporary best practices.

⦁ National Planning and Economic Development.
⦁ Customs and Excise
⦁ Science and Technology.
⦁ Solid Minerals
⦁ Steel
⦁ Gas Resources
⦁ Agric Production and Services.
⦁ Small and Medium Enterprises.

Blue Economy

⦁ Support the development of a National Policy on Organic Agriculture in a consultative manner along
with all relevant stakeholders.
⦁ Encourage the Executive to develop a comprehensive National Blue Economy Strategy that outlines goals, priorities, and actions for sustainable development and growth in the blue economy sector. ⦁ Legislate on sustainable development to enhance the “Green Economy” by prohibiting harmful agricultural practices such as bush burning and push for a
ban on the use of agrochemicals that are harmful to the soil and poisonous for human and animal consumption.
⦁ Legislate on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to designate areas for specific activities, such as fishing, shipping, and conservation. This helps reduce conflicts and ensures sustainable use of marine resources.
⦁ Legislate/oversee regulations and quotas to prevent overfishing, combat illegal, unreported, and
unregulated (IUU) fishing, and promote sustainable fishing practices.

⦁ Adopt legislative measures to support research and development in blue technologies, such as ocean monitoring systems, sustainable fishing gear, and offshore renewable energy.
⦁ Maritime Safety, Education and Administration.
⦁ Shipping Services.
⦁ Inland Waterways
⦁ Hydrological Services (HYPADEC)
⦁ National Planning and Economic Development.

Improved Business Environment and Tax Reforms

⦁ Work with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other relevant agencies to promote the streamlining and digitisation of the business registration process to reduce bottlenecks and delays.
⦁ Work closely with the Executive to review and update tax laws and policies to modernise the tax system, improve transparency and predictability, and offer incentives to businesses and foreign investors.
⦁ Introduce legislation to provide tax incentives for investment in priority sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure development.
⦁ Develop legislation to improve access to finance, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
⦁ Collaborate with the Executive and relevant labour organisations to modernise labour laws to make the
business environment more attractive. ⦁ Support the Executive to provide reliable infrastructure needed to attract investors.
⦁ Support the creation of special economic zones offering incentives for foreign businesses and ensuring no discrimination against foreign investors.
⦁ Enact legislation to promote domestic and foreign investment by streamlining bureaucratic processes and incentivising investors through investor- friendly policies to attract investment to Nigeria.

⦁ Commerce
⦁ Finance
⦁ Corporate Social Responsibility.

Advancement of Innovation and Technology including Artificial Intelligence, Blockchains, FinTechs, etc. ⦁ Ensure the full implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act, 2022.
⦁ Engage stakeholders and experts on issues relating to regulating Artificial Intelligence and other related technological innovations to address issues of privacy, accountability and transparency, ethics, safety and security, intellectual property and economic and labour regulations.
⦁ Adopt legislative measures that strengthen intellectual property rights to encourage innovation.
⦁ Legislate to promote digital skills development programmes, including coding and programming training. ⦁ Enact policies that encourage the use and development of local
technological content.This can help nurture local tech industries and reduce reliance on foreign technology.
⦁ Introduce a national innovation strategy to prioritise achievements in digital transformation, research and development, entrepreneurship, capacity building, and economic development.
⦁ Develop regulatory frameworks for emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, FinTech, and Internet of Things (IoT).
⦁ Pass an AI law to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) and ensure better conditions for the development and use of this innovative technology.

⦁ Enact legislation to mandate the digital transformation of government services towards using e-governance, digital platforms, and open data initiatives to achieve efficiency, transparency, and citizens’ engagement in public service delivery.
⦁ Information Technology
⦁ Science and Technology.
⦁ Science Research Institutions.
⦁ Science Engineering
⦁ Banking Institutions
⦁ Banking Regulations.

Social Sector Reform And Development

Universal Basic Education

⦁ Prioritise resource allocation to basic and secondary institutions and agencies.
⦁ Improve funding for the provision of basic facilities such as classrooms,
libraries, and toilets in every UBE school.

⦁ Amend the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Act 2004 to increase the share of the Consolidated Revenue Fund allocated to UBEC from 2% to 4%.The goal is to ensure that the allocation to education meets the recommended benchmark by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) of 15- 20% share of the total national budget.
⦁ Enact a law that promotes the education of children with special needs, ensuring they have access to quality education in inclusive settings.

⦁ Basic Education.
⦁ Basic Education Examination Boards.

Secondary Education

⦁ Support the Executive to improve teachers’ remuneration and welfare and attract the best talents.
⦁ Increase budgetary allocation for school infrastructure, facilities, and technology integration.
⦁ Work with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to support the review and update of the national curricula to meet global standards and respond
to the specific needs of Nigeria.
⦁ Ensure that funds are provided to school safety and security through basic facilities like fencing, gates, lighting, and communication equipment to provide early and secondary warning
to students and security agencies.
⦁ Ensure robust oversight of the recently established National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) to reposition our Secondary School graduates for global competitiveness
and intervene in critical areas such as infrastructure deficit, human capacity development, and instructional materials.

⦁ Basic Education Examination Boards
⦁ Legislative Compliance

Technical Education

Ensure the new curricula integrate entrepreneurship modules to enable students to start their ventures.
Allocate funds to improve existing infrastructure, recruit qualified instructors, and train existing ones.
Provide more funding for the needed infrastructure: modern laboratories, workshops, and equipment. Work with the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) to update the technical education curriculum to align with industry needs, ensuring students learn relevant skills.
The curriculum will be tailored to ad- dress local challenges and opportunities.
Ensure integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and renewable energy into the curriculum.
Strengthen and expand TVET pro- grams to equip students with practical skills for the job market.
Encourage private sector involvement in funding, curriculum development and providing resources for technical education.

Work with the Executive to amend the Students Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023, to include the provision of scholarships
and financial aid for students
pursuing technical education.

Federal
Polytechnics.
Science Engineering.

Legislative Objectives Short-Term Goals 2023 Medium Term Goals 2024-2025 Long-Term Goals 2025-2027 Responsible Parties

Almajiri and Out-of- School- Children Education
⦁ Support the full take-off of the newly established National Commission
for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children (OOSC) Education.
⦁ Engage religious and community leaders in these campaigns to give our legislative measures in this regard more credibility and acceptance.
⦁ Support the full take-off of the newly established National Commission
for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (OOSC). ⦁ Ensure the integration of Qur’anic and formal education to encourage children to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills.
⦁ Support the development of a curriculum incorporating formal education, skills acquisition, and vocation training in the Almajiri system.
⦁ Support establishing standardised and well-equipped Almajiri
schools and ensure regular inspection and accreditation.
⦁ Ensure that social intervention programmes of government are tailored to address underlying issues like poverty, which is a significant factor contributing to the Almajiri system and the high number of out-of-school children.

⦁ Undertake oversight of the National Commission for Almajiri Education and Out-of-School Children.

⦁ Basic Education.
⦁ Rural Development
⦁ Internally Displaced Persons/ Refugees.
⦁ North East Development Commission

Healthcare ⦁ Allocate a higher percentage of the national budget to the health sector, aligning with the Abuja Declaration, which recommends that at least 15% of the national budget be allocated to health.
⦁ Focus on improving access to primary healthcare services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
⦁ Ensure a universal health insurance system to ensure all citizens have access to affordable healthcare and expand the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to achieve nationwide coverage of a broader range of services and ensure efficient operation. ⦁ Amend the National Health Act to increase funding for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from 1% to at least 2% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to tackle prevalent deficiencies in healthcare resources and infrastructure.
⦁ Allocate funds and encourage research in tropical diseases, traditional medicine, vaccine development, innovative treatment modalities, and other areas relevant to Nigeria’s health challenges.
⦁ Promote legislation to facilitate the adoption and integration of new healthcare technology such as
electronic health records, telemedicine, and remote patient monitoring.

⦁ Introduce measures to ensure universal access to healthcare and nutrition services, including sexual and reproductive health, as well as medical and psychosocial care for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices.

⦁ Healthcare Services
⦁ Health Institutions
⦁ HIV, AIDS,
Tubercloisis and Malaria Control.
⦁ Specialty Healthcare.
⦁ Legislative action will be taken to improve the recruitment, training, and retention of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and
other allied healthcare workers.
⦁ Strengthen the regulatory bodies overseeing the health sector to ensure adherence to global best practices.
⦁ Revisit laws related to public health concerns such as sanitation, vaccination, and disease control,
especially the Quarantine Act of 1926.

Infrastructure Development; Energy and Power

⦁ Prioritise investments in the transmission and distribution infrastructure to reduce technical and non-technical losses.
⦁ Support the implementation of tariffs that reflect the true cost of electricity generation and distribution.
⦁ Strengthen legislation to Increase penalties for energy theft, meter tampering, and vandalism
of energy infrastructure. ⦁ Review and strengthen existing legal frameworks, including the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC),
to reflect current realities.
⦁ Decentralise energy production by promoting off-grid solutions, especially in rural areas where grid connectivity is challenging.
⦁ Adopt legislative measures to promote renewable energy through tax incentives, grants, etc., for investments in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro.
⦁ Mandate regular and transparent audits of all entities in the energy sector to curb corruption.

⦁ Implement stricter penalties for oil companies that flare gas, a practice that is not only environmentally harmful but also wasteful as the gas could be harnessed for power generation.

⦁ Works
⦁ Renewable Energy
⦁ Rural
Electrification

Roads and Highways
⦁ Support the finalisation of a comprehensive National Transport Policy that outlines the vision, goals, and strategies for developing the sector in line with current realities.
⦁ Allocate significant funds for constructing, maintaining, and upgrading national transport infrastructure.
⦁ Regulate tariffs and pricing in the transport sector to ensure affordability and sustainability for service providers. ⦁ Encourage the development of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, light rail, and other mass transit initiatives.
Specifically, the House will support the Executive’s commitment to LNG and CNG-powered mass transit buses.
⦁ Prioritise the development of transport networks in rural areas to ensure they are connected to urban centres, promoting economic activities and integration.
⦁ Support the development of other modes of transport to reduce the stress on our roads and improve inter-modalism.

⦁ Works
⦁ Federal Roads Maintenance Agency.
⦁ Land Transport.

Rail Transport
⦁ Establish a dedicated fund for rail development, sourced from levies, taxes, and possibly a percentage
of oil revenue, ensuring consistent funding for national rail projects.
⦁ Strengthen the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for infrastructure projects and leverage private sector expertise and funding.
⦁ Encourage private sector management of Rail lines and infrastructure.
⦁ Encourage private sector participation for improved competitiveness
⦁ Support the Federal Ministry of Transportation to actualise the “Twenty – Five Year Rail Strategic Plan” developed in 2002.
⦁ Ensure that rail networks are seamlessly connected with other modes of transportation (roads, ports, and airports) to enhance the movement of goods and passengers.

⦁ Encourage the adoption of modern rail technologies such as high-speed trains, automated signalling systems, and digital ticketing platforms.

Inland Waterways and Ports
⦁ Allocate significant funds specifically for modernising, developing, maintaining, and upgrading ports and inland waterway infrastructure, including jetties, docks, berths, and terminals.
⦁ Encourage Public-Private Partnerships to support port operations and for the development of waterway infrastructure and operations. Offer tax incentives or breaks to private entities investing in the inland waterways sector.
⦁ Strengthen the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) by revising its enabling act, ensuring it has the mandate and resources to efficiently oversee and develop inland waterways.
⦁ Revise and strengthen the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Act, ensuring it has a clear mandate, authority, and resources to efficiently manage and develop the ports.

⦁ Conduct oversight and ensure the implementation of strict regulations to reduce bureaucracy and streamline port operations.

⦁ Inland Waterways
⦁ Shipping Services
⦁ Maritime Safety, Education and Administration.

Aviation ⦁ Appropriate sufficient funding for upgrading and expanding airport infrastructure, including runways, terminals, and air traffic control facilities.
⦁ Adopt legislative measures to encourage private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for airport development and management.
⦁ Synergise with executive to strengthen tax breaks, grants, or subsidised loans provisions to airlines and other aviation businesses facing financial challenges.
⦁ Support the provision of support mechanisms for domestic airlines to thrive, such as subsidised aviation fuel or tax breaks.

⦁ Interface with the Executive on entering “Open Skies” agreements with strategic countries to promote competition, reduce airfares, and improve connectivity.
⦁ Enact stringent regulations to protect passengers’ rights concerning flight delays, cancellations, lost baggage,
and other grievances.We will also strengthen the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to perform its statutory responsibilities better.

⦁ Mandate regular safety audits and assessments of airlines and airports and improve funding and training for aviation security personnel and equipment.

⦁ Aviation

Pension Reform

⦁ Scrutinise the provisions and implementation of the Pension Reform Act to identify gaps and address emerging challenges in pension management and administration.
⦁ The House will engage with pension stakeholders to achieve a review of pension fund management, ensure employers’ compliance with pension contributory schemes and oversee the enforcement of pension regulations.

⦁ Mandate transparent and frequent audits of pension funds and administrators and impose disclosure requirements on Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).
⦁ Legislate to expand coverage through schemes tailored to include workers in the informal sector.

⦁ Explore the need for legislation to allow a percentage of pension funds to be invested in critical infrastructure projects.

⦁ Pension
⦁ Public Service Matters.
Open Parliament And Citizens’ Engagement

Women’s Representation & Participation

⦁ Re-introduce and support the Bill on temporary special seats for women in the Constitution amendment efforts of the 10th National Assembly.
⦁ Promote funding or subsidies specifically for female candidates to reduce the financial barriers to entry.
⦁ Strengthen the women’s caucus in the House to better advocate for women-specific issues and mentor upcoming female politicians.
⦁ Support maternity leave for up to six months.

⦁ Legislate to increase women’s representation in elective positions by creating special women-only seats in the Senate and House of
Representatives and encouraging State Houses of Assembly to do the same.
⦁ Introduce electoral reforms to implement mandatory requirements for political parties to have a certain percentage of female candidates
and in party leadership structure. ⦁ Prioritise financing for mainstreaming Gender Equality, including the National Gender Policy, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) and the Child Rights Act,
with costed plans at the state level and gender-responsive planning and budgeting at the Federal and State levels.
⦁ Strengthen oversight of government institutions to ensure compliance with the National Gender Policy and court judgement on the full implementation of the 35% affirmative action on appointive and elective positions in both public and private sectors.

⦁ Constitutional Reforms.
⦁ Women Affairs and Social Development.
⦁ Women in Parliament.
⦁ Electoral Matters
⦁ Political Parties Matters.
⦁ Special Duties.

⦁ Strengthen the Electoral Act 2022 to penalise violence, intimidation and harassment against women in politics.
⦁ Pass the Gender Equal Opportunities Bill (GEOB) to ensure women are active and equal participants in Nigeria’s political and decision-making processes.
⦁ Amend the Police Act 2022 to ensure uniformity in the enlistment requirements for men and women; amend the rule that excludes married women from enlisting in the police and delete the regulation that provides that unmarried women may only marry after they have served in the police for three years subject to approval from a police commissioner.

⦁ Revisit the Labour Act to ensure increased opportunities for women and delete sections that empower a minister of Labour to make regulations prohibiting or restricting women’s employment.

Youth and Sports Development
⦁ Support the establishment of empowerment programmes, vocational training centres, and skill development initiatives to equip young with relevant skills for the job market.
⦁ Incentivise private sector companies to employ and train youth through tax breaks or grants.
⦁ Introduce and expand a legislative mentorship programme in collaboration with stakeholders, including National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDs), Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), etc. ⦁ Increase the budget allocation for education, focusing on modern curricula, infrastructure, vocational training, and technological skills (see Agenda 5 above).
⦁ Drive legislation that supports promoting Science,Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education at all levels, as well as establishing technology incubators and accelerators (see Agenda 5 above).
⦁ Support the Executive to launch public work programmes targeting young people, especially in infrastructure development and agriculture.
⦁ Support the development programmes that enable young farmers to access land and modern farming equipment.
⦁ Mandate representation of young people in decision making bodies, such as boards, committees, and councils, at all levels of government.
⦁ Initiate legislative measures that promote sports development as tools for national unity and cohesion.
⦁ Support the development of sports at grassroots levels, in schools, and among underrepresented groups.

⦁ Youth Development.
⦁ Youth in Parliament
⦁ Young Parliamentarians Forum.
⦁ Science Engineering
⦁ Appropriation.
⦁ Sustainable Development Goals.
⦁ Sports

Open Parliament & Citizens Engagement

⦁ Create a centralised digital portal for all legislative documents, including bills, votes and proceedings, Official Reports, committee reports, etc.
⦁ Strengthen NASS TV to stream sessions and committee meetings.
⦁ Provide regular broadcast slots for proceedings and discussions on public television and radio.
⦁ Launch a dedicated website for the House and the office of the Speaker to make legislative documents available to the public and provide a mechanism for feedback.
⦁ Set up dedicated channels, such as helplines or online portals, for citizens to provide feedback, ask questions, or file grievances related to legislative work.
⦁ Strengthen public participation in legislation and other legislative matters, including public hearings, town hall meetings, House of Representatives Open Week, online consultations, etc.
⦁ Support the development of a policy to make government datasets
available in open and machine-readable formats, facilitating easy analysis
and understanding by the public.
⦁ Encourage committees to hold regular outreach programs and consultations with civil society and citizens.
⦁ Establish formalised partnerships with NGOs, think tanks, and civil society organisations that promote transparency, accountability, and public engagement.
⦁ Create modalities for CSOs to contribute effectively to the oversight functions of the National Assembly and its Committees as part of the Open House initiative.
⦁ Mandate the publication of sessional/ annual reports detailing House activities, budgets, and outcomes.
⦁ Promote programmes targeting the youth demographic, introducing them to legislative processes and
promoting active participation (school programmes,Youth Parliament, etc.).

⦁ Work with the Assembly bureaucracy to activate and strengthen the civil society liaison office in
the National Assembly.
⦁ Review the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and other legislations to remove barriers that hinder CSOs from delivering on their mandate.

⦁ CNA
⦁ CHR
⦁ Civil Society and Development Matters.
⦁ FOI Reforms of Government Institutions.
⦁ Legislative Library, Research and Documentation.
⦁ Media and Public Affairs.
⦁ PCU (Speaker’s
Office).

Inclusion of IDPs and PLWDs in National Planning

⦁ Encourage relevant Committees of the House to review the extant laws and propose amendments, especially at the level of enforcement.This will include attention to social protection programs that affect children, especially those affected by war or conflict, low-income families, and low-income people. ⦁ Make laws and create mechanisms that allow IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) to participate in decision- making processes that affect their lives and ensure the inclusion
of IDPs in the government’s socioeconomic development plans and provision of basic services.
⦁ Create a framework for the safe and voluntary return or
resettlement of IDPs, ensuring they can make informed decisions.
⦁ Carry out effective oversight to ensure the implementation of the Disability (Prohibition) Act by the Executive.
⦁ Oversight of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 to ensure that its provisions regarding discrimination, healthcare, accessibility, education, employment, and healthcare are enforced.

⦁ Continuously promote the representation of PLWDs (Persons Living with
Disabilities) in decision-making bodies at all levels, ensuring their unique challenges and needs are addressed.

⦁ Internally Displaced Persons/Refugees
⦁ North-East Development Commission.
⦁ Rural Development.
⦁ Disabilities
⦁ Healthcare Services.
⦁ Health Institutions.

Media

⦁ Strengthen and improve House official digital platforms and apps where legislative data are available in real-time.
⦁ Involve the media in the promoting transparency in legislative operations
⦁ Review of laws and practices that restrict press freedom and the ability of the media to carry out its constitutional role.
⦁ Enhance good governance practices, transparency, and accountability through media chats, public
hearings, townhall meetings, etc. ⦁ Media and Public Affairs.
⦁ Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values.
⦁ Civil Society and Development Matters.

Influencing And Directing Foreign Policy

⦁ Review all treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory to domesticate them.
⦁ Ensure compliance with constitutional processes established for entry into treaties.
⦁ Harmonise the provisions of the Constitution and the Treaty Ratification Act to ensure consistency.
⦁ Strengthen the Foreign Affairs Committee and other related Committees to oversee Nigeria’s foreign policy. ⦁ Improve funding for Nigerian diplomatic missions to promote economic diplomacy.
⦁ Collaborate with the Executive to establish a comprehensive economic diplomacy framework that integrates Nigeria’s economic interests, trade promotion, investment facilitation and economic cooperation into the larger context of our foreign policy.
⦁ Strengthen parliamentary diplomacy through the House Friendship Groups, where legislators engage directly with their counterparts from other countries to complement formal diplomatic channels.
⦁ Use legislative measures such as Hearings and Resolutions to promote and protect the lines and properties of Nigerians abroad.

⦁ Introduce legislation to support and enhance security cooperation, especially within the sun-region and the African continent.

⦁ Foreign Affairs
⦁ Treaties, Protocols and Agreements.
⦁ Parliamentary Friendship Groups.
⦁ Cooperation and Integration For Africa.
⦁ Inter- Parliamentary Relations.
Climate Change And Environmental Sustainability

⦁ Strengthen the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to effectively enforce environmental laws, regulations, and standards and ensure compliance with international agreements, conventions, and environmental treaties. ⦁ Legislate measures to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources and promote clean and sustainable energy production, access and consumption. In this regard, the House will consider the National Clean Cooking Strategy to determine progress made and obstacles.

⦁ Ensure Nigeria meets its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions unconditionally by 20% and conditionally by 45% by 2030.
⦁ Climate Change
⦁ Environment
⦁ Renewable Energy
⦁ Lake Chad.

⦁ Strengthen the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to effectively enforce environmental laws, regulations, and standards and ensure compliance with international agreements, conventions, and environmental treaties. ⦁ Provide more funding for training and equipping the frontline enforcement personnel and educating communities and the public about the effects of climate change.
⦁ Review current laws on environmental pollution to strengthen penalties
and sanctions for gas flaring.
⦁ Legislate on appropriate tax breaks or subsidies for companies that invest in gas capture and utilisation projects.
⦁ Support the implementation of the National Policy on Solid Waste Management in Nigeria, which promotes using the
3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) approach, encourages public-private partnerships in waste management, and aims to establish waste-to-wealth initiatives.
⦁ Give legislative backing to the E-Waste Management Regulation, 2018, introduced to manage and control the importation, production, distribution, storage, and disposal of electrical and electronic
⦁ Review and engage stakeholders on the National Oceans Policy that focuses on the sustainable management and conservation of Nigeria’s marine and coastal resources.
⦁ Ensure sufficient funding and effective oversight of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission was established by an Act of the National Assembly (HYPPADEC) to address ecological challenges from the operations of Hydroelectric Dams.

⦁ Encourage collaboration with international organizations such
as the World Bank in addressing climate-change- related challenges.
⦁ Give legal backing to the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Policy (NREEEP) adopted in 2015 to increase the use of renewable energy sources, improve energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
⦁ Undertake a broad range of legislative activism and public education.
⦁ Improve funding and oversight the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) to combat desertification and land degradation in line with the United Nation Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD).
⦁ Ensure compliance with the Climate Change Act 2021 provisions for achieving low GHG emissions and mainstreaming climate change actions into national plans and programmes.
⦁ Ensure strong oversight of NESREA and review and update the National Climate Change Policy and Response Strategy (NCCPRS), 2012.
⦁ Expedite the passage of the Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Punishment) Bill to minimise the environmental and social impact of gas flaring in oil-producing areas. It proposes strict penalties for companies that engage in gas flaring.

⦁ Hydrological Services (HYPADEC)
⦁ Support initiatives by the Executive targeted at promoting sanitation
⦁ Promote e-government to achieve a paperless system.
⦁ Utilise legislative frameworks to support efforts to repair and restore terrain damaged by fossil
fuel exploration and transport, urban expansion, erosion, commercial logging and environmental degradation.

Acceptance Speech of
Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.d Speaker, 10th House of Representatives
“Honourable Colleagues, today, I stand before you with immense joy and gratitude as we celebrate a momentous victory for the 10th House of Representatives. I want to express my deepest appreciation to each and every one of you who believed in me and supported my candidacy. I am indeed humbled and honoured to be elected as your Speaker, as the Speaker of the Nigerian people.

I offer my deepest gratitude and thanks to the Almighty God for His divine guidance and blessings throughout this journey. It is through His grace that I stand before you today as the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.

I wish to sincerely thank you all for finding me worthy of being your Speaker, out of the 360 of us, who are all equals. I also thank Almighty Allah for making this journey possible. To the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and my party, the APC, I say a big thank you for finding me competent to be nominated to serve in this position for the Nigerian people. I thank every other person who has directly or indirectly contributed to this journey.

This victory is not just about me; it is about all of us coming together as a united House to serve the Nigerian people diligently. It is about honouring the trust that has been placed on us and working tirelessly to deliver on our promises of good governance and effective representation.

It is worthy to note that speakership campaign witnessed in the past few months was democracy at play. But today, all of that has come to pass, and it is time to forge ahead and work together for our people for our common good.

I do not take this mandate bestowed on me as the Nigerian Speaker for granted. I want to assure you today that I shall be just and fair to every one of you irrespective of our perceived differences. I shall operate a House that you all will be proud of. I shall be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the House Rules. Our doors will be open for members of APC, PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, APGA, SDP, ADC and YPP as we strongly believe nation-building is a Joint Task.

My dear colleagues, those of us that were privileged to serve in the just concluded 9th House of Representatives will attest to the fact that appreciable successes had been recorded under my predecessor, Rt. Hon. Femi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, CFR, who from tomorrow, will assume office as the Chief of Staff to the President/Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria. I will like to congratulate him for finishing his tenure as Speaker successfully and for his new national assignment.The former Speaker remains a great Nigerian whose service

to fatherland in the past 20 years as a legislator is unmatched. I commend him for his sacrifices for Nigeria and his support for the new 10th House of Representatives.

Honourable Colleagues, under my watch, the 10th House shall sustain and even surpass the gains of the 9th House.That is my prayer.We shall carry out the TASK before us JOINTLY. We shall introduce reforms and innovations for the benefit of Nigerians. In a few weeks, we shall be reeling out the legislative agenda that will shape the 10th House of Representatives.

We shall work closely and inter-dependently with the Executive and Judiciary to give Nigerians the good governance they deserve.We stand at a crucial juncture in our nation’s history, where challenges abound, but so do opportunities.We will champion legislations that will uplift the lives of our fellow citizens, promote social justice, and drive sustainable development.

We will focus on strengthening our security apparatus, collaborating with relevant stakeholders to combat insurgency, terrorism, and all forms of criminalities. We aim to help create a safe and secure environment that fosters economic growth and social stability.

Through legislations, the 10th House will promote entrepreneurship and support small and medium-scale enterprises. We shall diversify our economy and provide sustainable employment opportunities for our youth. We are aware of the challenges in our education, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors amongst other.

We will work in harmony with the executive arm, while upholding principles of checks and balances. Our collaboration will be anchored on the principles of transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.

Honourable Colleagues, may I remind all of us that we hold our respective offices in trust for the Nigerian people.We MUST, therefore, justify the confidence reposed in us by our constituents to represent their interests and work committedly for our dear nation.

Working closely with my deputy, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, we shall provide purposeful leadership in the 10th House of Representatives.

My dear colleagues, I invite you all to be on board for the next four years as we embark on this Nigerian Project to RENEW the HOPE of our people.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!”