The 10th House of Representatives in Nigeria, inaugurated on June 13, 2023, has marked a significant legislative session with unprecedented activity and output compared to previous assemblies. Here are the key highlights of the legislative accomplishments of the 2023–2024 session:
1. **Legislative Output**:
– **Bills**: The House received a record-breaking 1,188 bills during this session. These bills cover a wide range of areas crucial to national development, including governance, security, economic development, social sectors, parliament openness, foreign policy, and environmental sustainability.
– **Executive vs. Members’ Bills**: Out of the total bills, 12 (1.0%) were executive bills, while 1,176 (99.0%) were introduced by members of the House. Notably, a significant proportion of these bills passed the third reading, demonstrating legislative progress and efficiency.
2. **Passage and Signing of Bills**:
– Several landmark bills were passed and signed into law during this session, addressing critical national issues:
– **Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023**
– **Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (Establishment) Bill, 2023**
– **Federal Audit Service Bill, 2023**
– **Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill, 2023**
– **Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023**
– **National Assembly Library Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024**
– **Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2024**
– **Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) Bill, 2024**
– **Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024**
– **National Anthem Bill, 2024**
– **Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2023**
– **National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO) (Establishment) Bill, 2023**
– **South-East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023**
3. **Motions and Resolutions**:
– The House dealt with 679 motions during the session. Over 500 motions were passed to address urgent national issues, highlighting the proactive stance of the legislature in responding to pressing concerns.
4. **Historical Context**:
– The legislative output of the 10th House surpasses previous assemblies by a large margin:
– 14 bills in 1999–2000
– 270 bills in 2011–2012
– 685 bills in 2015–2016
– 853 bills in 2019–2020
This session’s performance underscores the commitment of the 10th House of Representatives to legislative productivity and responsiveness to national needs.
In conclusion, the 2023–2024 legislative year of the 10th House of Representatives has been marked by a record number of bills, impactful legislative actions, and a proactive approach to addressing national challenges. The passage of key bills into law reflects a significant stride towards enhancing governance, security, economic development, and social welfare in Nigeria.