As the National Assembly resumes today, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has highlighted key legislative priorities, including the upcoming presentation of the 2025 budget and the new Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper from President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement, Bamidele emphasized the importance of the MTEF, explaining that it is essential for setting the stage before the 2025 Appropriation Bill can be introduced. “The MTEF plays a vital role in shaping our legislative agenda, as it serves as the foundation for the budget,” he noted.
The MTEF outlines the financial plans that guide the national budget and must be submitted to Parliament prior to the President’s formal presentation of the budget.
The Senate and House of Representatives are reconvening after their annual recess, which began on July 17. As they return to plenary, Bamidele also spoke about the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution. The committee responsible for this, led by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, will be engaging the public through various sessions to gather input for potential amendments.
“This review offers an opportunity to reshape governance in Nigeria, taking a more federal approach,” Bamidele said.
Additionally, he revealed that a joint committee would be formed to investigate oil theft, a persistent issue in the petroleum industry. Bamidele expressed the Assembly’s commitment to addressing this, along with other challenges such as refinery maintenance and fuel supply disruptions.
“We are determined to tackle economic sabotage in the petroleum sector and develop solutions to make it more efficient,” he added.
House of Representatives spokesperson Akin Rotimi echoed these sentiments in a separate statement, outlining the critical issues on the House’s agenda, including the review of the constitution, electoral reforms, and the 2025 budget.
Rotimi emphasized the importance of receiving the 2025 Appropriation Bill promptly, to allow for thorough debate and public involvement, as seen during the 2024 budget review. He reiterated the Assembly’s goal of maintaining a January-December budget cycle, urging cooperation from the executive.
He also highlighted the pressing concerns the House would address, such as recent flooding in Maiduguri, national security challenges, and the state of the economy. These issues, along with legislative bills and motions, will be prioritized to meet the needs of their constituencies.
The House, according to Rotimi, is also focused on the constitutional review process, which he described as key to ensuring good governance. The House aims to conclude the Sixth Alteration of the 1999 Constitution by December 2025, after receiving hundreds of submissions from the public and lawmakers alike.
The statement underscores the importance of public engagement in shaping laws that align with the nation’s evolving needs and aspirations.
