Hopes for 2025 budget presentation, biting currency scarcity and mass abductions are key issues OrderPaper’s Legislative Intelligence Unit predict will engage lawmakers this week
This week’s edition of OrderPaper’s Legislative Intelligence Forecast Entry (LIFE) offers a snippet at key legislative activities set to shape Nigeria’s governance and economy as lawmakers return to their chambers. From expected communication on budget presentation to urgent debates on insecurity, currency scarcity and continuesd engagement on the controversial tax bills, here’s what to expect:
2025 budget presentation
With less than three weeks left in 2024, the spotlight is on whether Nigeria will uphold the January–December budget cycle established in recent years. President Bola Tinubu is expected to send an official communication to the National Assembly, signaling his intent to present the 2025 appropriation bill.
The legislative process for the budget begins with a formal presentation, after which it undergoes second reading in both chambers. Lawmakers will debate the general principles of the budget before referring it to the committee on appropriations. In collaboration with other standing committees, this committee will scrutinize allocations to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure sectoral alignment and fiscal accountability. The process culminates in the submission of a harmonized report during plenary for consideration and eventual passage, marking a critical step in sustaining Nigeria’s fiscal planning framework.
Will the National Assembly be able to expedite its legislative processes without compromising the integrity of budget scrutiny?
Currency scarcity
As the festive season approaches, Nigerians face a biting currency scarcity that has disrupted economic activities. Reports indicate that Point of Sale (PoS) operators have doubled their service charges this is as many banks no longer dispense cash of more than N20,000, exacerbating public frustration
Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the 14th Bankers’ Committee Annual Report in Abuja, recently urged Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to ensure cash availability. Lawmakers are expected to address this crisis by likely summoning the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks to provide immediate solutions.
Insecurity: GIGM abduction incident
A harrowing incident involving the abduction of passengers traveling on a God Is Good Motors (GIGM) bus has raised fresh concerns about Nigeria’s security. The bus was ambushed on December 2, 2024, near Obajana in Kogi State, with kidnappers demanding ₦100 million per victim.
Both chambers of the National Assembly are likely to adopt resolutions mandating immediate intervention by the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigerian military to secure the release of the victims.
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Bills Board:
The table below contains bills that are likely to be considered at different stages in both the senate and house this week:
| Bills | HB or SB | Consideration of Report | Committee /Reading | Sponsor/ Chairman |
| A Bill for an Act to Amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. C 15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2024 to insulate Judicial Officers from Prosecution before being Lawfully removed from Office and enable Public Officers maintain foreign Bank Account outside Nigeria for the Purpose of Accessing Funds while on Official Duties to facilitate Transactions for pressing family needs and auxiliary expenses and for Related Matters | HBs. 1178 and 1894 | Second reading | Hon. Solomon T. Bob and Hon. Bello Isa Ambarura | |
| A Bill for an Act to Establish Private Intelligence and Investigation Council to Establish a Regulatory
Framework that ensures the Professionalism, Ethnical Conduct, and Accountability of Private Intelligence and Investigation Firms, Standardise Industry Practices, Provide Accreditation and Certification, Promote Continuous Training and Development, foster collaboration between Private and Public Security Sectors, enhance the Integrity and Effectiveness of Private Intelligence and Investigation Council Services in Contributing to National Security and Public Safety and for Related Matters |
HB.1721 | Second reading | Hon. Ahmed
Satomi |
|
| A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 to Review the Legal Framework for Community Policing in Nigeria in order to ensure Community Safety, Trust, and Promote Community Participation in Crime Prevention Efforts and to Build Crime-free Communities across Nigeria by fostering Intelligence gathering and Sharing between Communities and the Police and for Related Matters | HB.1352 | Second reading | Hon. Afolabi Moruf Afupe | |
| A Bill for an Act to Establish Jury Trial and Services for special Crimes, Corruption and other Offences
and the Administration of Jury Trials Criminal Justice Bill in the Federal High Court and FCT Division and for Related Matters |
HB. 293 | Second reading | Hon. Paschal Agbodike | |
| A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act, 2007 and Enact
the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act, 2024 to Provide for Establishment of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency for the Promotion of Maritime Safety and Security, Protection of the Marine Environment, Ship Registration and Commercial Shipping, Maritime Labour and for Related Matters |
(HB.1594) | Committee of the Whole | Hon. Julius Ihonvbere | |
| A Bill for an Act to Establish Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki and for
Related Matters |
HB. 281 | Consideration of Report | Committee of the Whole | Hon. Julius Ihonvbere |
| A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji, Osun
State and to make comprehensive provisions for its Due Management and Administration and for Related Matters |
(SB.569) | Consideration of Report
|
Committee of the Whole | Hon. Julius Ihonvbere |
| A Bill for an Act to Enact the Nigerian Content (Non- Oil and Gas Sector) Development
(Establishment) Bill to Establish Statutory Bodies and to Provide for Programmes and Structures for the Promotion of Nigerian Content in the Nigerian Economy and for Related Matters |
HB. 59 | Consideration of Report | Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring | Hon. Boma Goodhead |
| A Bill for an Act to Amend Federal Medical Centres Act and to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Afam, Rivers State, and for
Related Matters A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Ikosu, Moba Local Government Area, Ekiti State and for Related Matters. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act and Establish Federal Medical Centre, Osogbo, Osun State and for Related Matters (HB. 478) A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act and Establish Federal Medical Centre Ako-Nike, Enugu State and for Related Matters |
HB. 1191, HB. 782, HB. 478, HB. 490 | Consideration of Report | Committee on Health Institutions | Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji: |
| Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A 12, Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make provision for the Establishment of Agricultural And Energy Technical Institute, Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State and for Related Matters |
(HB.116) | Consideration of Report | Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions | Hon. Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi |
| A Bill for an
Act to Regulate Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria and for Related Matters |
HB. 242 | Consideration of Report | Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility | Hon. Oby Lilian Orogbu |
EDITOR’S NOTE:
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