By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives has passed 363 bills and completed between 65 and 70 per cent of the principal milestones in its Legislative Agenda, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has said, as the 10th National Assembly enters the final phase of its tenure.
Abbas disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing lawmakers at the resumption of plenary after the 2026 annual recess. He urged members to accelerate legislative business, strengthen oversight and conclude priority assignments before the end of the Assembly.
According to the Speaker, the House had received 2,747 bills by mid-June 2026, with the passage rate rising from approximately seven per cent in the first legislative session to about 26 per cent in the third.
He said the House had also processed hundreds of motions and public petitions, but cautioned that the volume of legislation alone was not an adequate measure of parliamentary performance.
“These figures are significant, but volume alone does not define legislative success. A law must solve a problem. A motion must lead to action. An investigation must protect the public interest. Oversight must improve the management of public resources,” Abbas said.
The figures are consistent with the House’s three-year legislative scorecard, which recorded 2,747 bills introduced between June 2023 and June 15, 2026, of which 363 were passed. The scorecard also showed that 72 of the bills had received presidential assent and become law.
Abbas said the remaining period of the Assembly offered lawmakers an opportunity to assess their performance, complete outstanding legislative assignments and demonstrate the impact of their work on Nigerians.
“We have entered the fourth and final stretch of the Tenth Assembly. This is the proper time to examine our record and define the work that remains,” he said.
Abbas Proposes 100-Day Legislative Programme
To accelerate legislative business, the Speaker proposed a 100-day programme to clear outstanding committee reports, fast-track priority bills and improve attendance at plenary and committee sittings.
Under the proposal, committees would be expected to conclude pending reports within specified timelines, while Tuesdays and Thursdays would be devoted primarily to major bills and urgent national issues.
He also proposed publishing a comprehensive legislative scorecard and legacy report before the end of the Assembly to enable Nigerians to assess its performance against its commitments.
Abbas warned lawmakers against allowing political realignments and campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections to distract them from their constitutional responsibilities.
“Whatever our political affiliations or personal ambitions, we remain members of one House. We are bound by one Constitution and one oath,” he said.
“The campaign must never become more important than the country.”
Constitutional Review, 2027 Budget Top Priorities
Abbas identified the conclusion of the constitutional review process as a major priority, highlighting the proposed establishment of state police and the Reserved Seats for Women Bill as key issues requiring sustained engagement with the Senate and state Houses of Assembly.
The state police proposal has featured prominently in national discussions on security and policing, while the proposed reserved seats for women seeks to address their underrepresentation in Nigeria’s legislative institutions.
The Speaker also urged the Executive to submit the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) promptly to allow sufficient time for scrutiny of the assumptions underpinning the 2027 budget.
He said early submission would give lawmakers adequate time to examine the proposed budget and improve the prospects of its timely passage.
Abbas further said the House would give prompt attention to bills and requests transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, including the National Research Development Fund Bill and a request for the domestication of the Geneva Conventions and their relevant protocols.
Describing the latter request as significant to Nigeria’s national and diplomatic interests, he said the proposed legislation would strengthen protections for civilians, wounded persons and prisoners during armed conflicts.
“I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this bold and timely move,” he said.
Reps to Intensify Budget Oversight
The Speaker also emphasised the need for effective monitoring of public expenditure, particularly following the extension of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act to December 31.
The House approved the extension on September 29 to allow ongoing projects to continue and prevent the waste of public investment.
Abbas said the extension must lead to faster project execution and measurable results rather than serve as an excuse for further delays.
“The extension must produce faster implementation and measurable results. It must not excuse further delay,” he said.
He added that the House would continue to scrutinise fund releases, implementation timelines and project performance.
Economic Gains Must Translate Into Public Benefits
Reflecting on developments during the recess, Abbas acknowledged improvements in key economic indicators but said the gains must translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
He cited economic growth of more than four per cent, inflation of 15.39 per cent in August, down from 23.14 per cent a year earlier, and external reserves of $54.7 billion in September.
He also cited a trade surplus exceeding N20 trillion in the first half of 2026, describing the figures as encouraging signs of economic progress.
However, he warned that improvements in macroeconomic indicators would have limited value unless they resulted in affordable food, productive employment, accessible credit and dependable public services.
“Our task is to convert greater economic stability into affordable food, productive employment, accessible credit and dependable public services,” he said.
Abbas also pointed to emerging investment commitments in ports, power, agriculture and industry, citing the proposed $7 billion Gateway Deep Seaport and Blue Marine Economic Zone as a potential source of jobs and increased exports.
He urged federal, state and local governments to ensure that increased public revenues translated into better roads, stronger schools, safer communities and more effective healthcare.
Speaker Raises Concerns Over Insecurity, Flooding
Abbas expressed sympathy with communities affected by insecurity, abductions, attacks, displacement, flooding and erosion during the recess.
He cited reports of abducted schoolchildren in Borno, attacks and displacement in parts of Ondo, and destructive flooding and erosion in Enugu and Abia states.
He called for prompt relief and lasting protection for affected communities, adding that security agencies should receive the support needed to perform their duties while remaining accountable for the resources and authority entrusted to them.
As the Assembly approaches the end of its tenure, Abbas urged lawmakers to remain focused on legislation, oversight and their responsibilities to their constituents.
“Our constituents elected us for a full term, and they deserve a full term of service,” he said.
He said the House must complete its priority legislation, strengthen oversight and remain committed to public service until the final day of its mandate.
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