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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has commended the Senate for its extraordinary performance in the last two years, noting the introduction of 844 bills at various stages and the receipt of 80 petitions from citizens and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
Akpabio commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his transformative leadership style and bold approach to difficult reforms.
Akpabio made these revelations when President Tinubu made an appearance at the National Assembly to commemorate June 12, Democracy Day.
Part of his speech during the live event read:
“The National Assembly is proud to host you—our President, our compatriot, and one of our own—as you fulfill the solemn constitutional duty of addressing the nation. This chamber honours you not merely as the President, but as one of the architects of the very democratic foundation we commemorate today. Today, we gather not to mourn injustice, but to honour resilience. We observe not the triumph of politicians, but the enduring faith of the Nigerian people in democracy—a faith that survived betrayal, braved teargas, defied armored tanks, endured silence, and still chose the ballot over the bullet.
“This year’s theme—“26 Years of Democracy: Renewing Our Commitment to National Development”—is not a slogan. It is a call to purpose. A reminder that democracy is not an end, but a means to national transformation. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we have seen transformation in his bold approach to difficult reforms. From unifying the foreign exchange market, to local government autonomy, to the formation of the regional development commissions, to Nigerian Education Loan Fund, to removing fuel subsidies, to attracting foreign investments, to tax reforms, this administration has not shied away from the hard decisions required to stabilize and grow our economy. These efforts are gradually restoring investor confidence, laying the foundations for long-term prosperity, and refocusing government expenditure toward productive investments. Mr President we commend you for your boldness, your vision, and your unwavering belief in Nigeria’s future. Likewise, the 10th National Assembly, which marks its 2nd Anniversary tomorrow, June 13, 2025 has played its part with diligence and distinction. From its inception, the 10th Senate demonstrated a renewed vigor for addressing the country’s complex challenges through purposeful legislation.”
He continued, “This commitment is reflected in its extraordinary output: a total of 844 bills have been introduced within its first two years—an unprecedented figure that underscores the Senate’s proactive posture in tackling pressing national issues. Out of this impressive volume, 107 bills are currently at the committee stage, undergoing the necessary scrutiny and stakeholder engagement that ensures quality legislation, 206 bills are awaiting first reading, reflecting a robust pipeline of legislative ideas prepared for formal introduction, and 409 bills have advanced to second reading. Notably, the Senate has passed 96 bills, a record for any Nigerian Senate at this stage of the legislative cycle. Even more significantly, 52 of these bills have been assented to by the President, translating into enforceable laws that will shape governance, economic development, public welfare, and national security. These bills include the National Education Fund, local government autonomy bill, regional development commissions, tax reforms, universities and tertiary institutions, agricultural institutions etc.”
The Senate President also disclosed that it has acted on twenty-six (26) executive bills sponsored under the President Tinubu-led administration.
“Moreover, the 10th Senate has acted decisively on 26 Executive Bills, showcasing a healthy balance of cooperation and oversight in its engagement with the executive arm.
These executive-sponsored legislations address key policy areas and benefit from the Senate’s thorough review and refinement before passage.
“Beyond bills, the 10th Senate has received a total of 80 petitions from citizens and civil society. This is a testimony to public trust in the institution. Of these, 18 petitions have been fully adopted, providing redress, transparency, and institutional accountability. History teaches us that nations make the greatest progress when the Executive governs with vision, and the Legislature guides with wisdom. But they prosper most when both walk hand-in-hand—not as rivals, but as co-stewards of national trust.”