The House of Representatives Committee has vowed to subject all MoUs through legislative scrutiny
The House of Representatives Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements has resolved to subject all treaties, agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) entered into by Nigeria with foreign partners to thorough legislative scrutiny.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Rabiu Yusuf, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the House of Representatives Press Centre, noting that Nigeria has, over the years, signed numerous international agreements without sufficient oversight, domestication or post-signing monitoring.
Yusuf expressed concern that some of the agreements reportedly contain hidden obligations, sovereignty waivers, unfavourable arbitration clauses and financial risks that are largely unknown to Nigerians.
According to him, several foreign-funded infrastructure contracts, particularly those involving foreign companies, require deeper examination to determine their value for money, loan exposure, compliance with local content provisions, contract performance, as well as environmental and labour standards.
“Nigeria cannot afford treaties that weaken our legal authority, compromise national assets or burden future generations with unsustainable liabilities,” the lawmaker warned.
He explained that the committee’s review is aimed at ensuring that all international agreements comply with Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty in foreign engagements, protect the country from harmful financial exposure and poor contract terms, and promote full transparency around treaties and major contracts.
Yusuf added that the exercise would also strengthen Nigeria’s negotiating power and lead to recommendations for a national framework on treaty oversight and digital tracking to prevent future lapses.
He stressed that international treaties have a direct impact on the lives of Nigerians, affecting job creation, trade, taxation, infrastructure development and foreign investment, warning that poorly negotiated agreements could weaken the economy, increase public debt or threaten strategic national assets.
“The committee’s work will ensure that Nigerians benefit from international partnerships and do not become victims of them. Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria never signs what it cannot defend,” he said.
The lawmaker further disclosed that the committee has been authorised to undertake what he described as one of the most important national reviews in recent history.
“Our mandate is clear: to examine all bilateral and multilateral treaties, protocols, agreements and foreign-funded contracts Nigeria has entered into, and determine whether they protect or endanger the national interest. This review is not political; it is patriotic, constitutional and essential to Nigeria’s sovereignty, debt sustainability and economic security,” Rep. Yusuf added.
