Kalu says 10th House hits 1,000 bills milestone

Leah TwakiMay 13, 20256 min

At the inaugural National Policy dialogue on legislative agenda, Deputy Speaker Kalu revealed  that 1,059 bills have been considered in the 10th House since June 2023

National policy dialogue on legislative agenda

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC Abia), has revealed that no fewer than 1,059 bills have been presented on the floor of the House of Representatives since inauguration in June 2023.

The deputy speaker stated this on Monday at the inaugural National Policy Dialogue on the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House organised by the House of Representatives in partnership with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC).

Kalu described the event as a historic milestone in aligning legislative priorities with national development goals. “Today, we gather not merely as policymakers but as custodians of Nigeria’s democratic future, united by a shared vision to translate the aspirations of our people into actionable governance,” he said.

He commended the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda, he noted, has laid a resilient foundation for economic growth, national security, and institutional reform. “Under his stewardship, Nigeria is witnessing a paradigm shift: a nation transitioning from potential to performance, from challenges to solutions, and from despair to hope,” Kalu stated.

The deputy speaker lauded the Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, under whose leadership over 1,059 bills have been considered since June 2023, touching on constitutional reform, education, health, security, and the economy.

He highlighted the House’s eight-pillar legislative agenda, designed to complement President Tinubu’s eight-point plan, and presented in the newly launched “Legislative Agenda 2.0.” The pillars include:

  1. Good Governance & Anti-Corruption: Emphasizing modernization of parliamentary processes and stronger oversight.
  2. National Security: Including police reform, intelligence modernization, and private sector integration in surveillance.
  3. Social Sector Development: Establishment of new institutions, student loan reform, and youth empowerment.
  4. Inclusive & Open Parliament: With focus on gender representation, youth quotas, and diaspora voting rights.
  5. Economic Growth & Diversification: Targeting investment, trade liberalization, and credit access.
  6.  Fiscal Federalism & Resource Control: Advocating for devolution and realignment of resource management.
  7. Environmental Sustainability: Proposing climate change funding, bio-fuel regulation, and regional development commissions.
  8. Law Reform & Constitutional Review: Featuring over 30 constitutional amendments and a potential shift toward a parliamentary system.

Kalu acknowledged the contributions of Rep. Cyril Hart Godwin (PDP Rivers) and Rep. Chinwe Nnabuife Clara (APGA Anambra), for their diligent oversight of the agenda’s implementation, ensuring that the House’s legislative efforts are not only enacted but also impact-driven.

He described the dialogue as a critical platform for engaging stakeholders, fostering collaboration, and integrating expert input into legislative priorities. “This dialogue, the first of its kind, is designed to create a platform for inclusive engagement among lawmakers, policymakers, academia, civil society, and development partners,” he said.

The deputy speaker outlined expected outcomes, including improved understanding of legislative priorities, enriched stakeholder input, and the institutionalization of the Dialogue as an annual fixture in Nigeria’s legislative calendar.

Kalu also pointed to early wins under President Tinubu’s administration, such as exchange rate unification, increased foreign capital inflows, and tax reforms aimed at reducing multiple taxation and boosting productivity.

He expressed gratitude to key partners, including the European Union, the British High Commission, UK International Development, PLAC, and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, for their technical support and commitment to legislative development.

As we embark on today’s sessions, let us seize this unique opportunity to interrogate, refine, and co-create the legislative toolkit that will carry Nigeria forward,” Kalu urged participants. “Together, let us craft laws worthy of our nation’s promise and secure a future of shared prosperity and enduring democratic strength.”

Chairman of the House Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation of the Legislative Agenda, Rep.Godwin, in his remarks praised Speaker Abbas for his visionary leadership in steering the legislative arm through a transformative phase marked by critical national challenges and a commitment to measurable impact.

This historic dialogue offers a veritable platform for robust analysis and appraisal of parliamentary activities as we work toward building a peaceful, prosperous, stable and sustainable nation,” Rep. Godwin said, adding: “It is not just a mantra. The legislative agenda is a contract with the Nigerian people, demanding that we all committees and members alike rise to the confidence it inspires.”

Describing the dialogue as a milestone in parliamentary engagement, he noted that the House faced a multitude of pressing national concerns at its inauguration in 2023, including economic instability, security threats, environmental degradation, and systemic corruption. He credited the Speaker’s “unparalleled wisdom” in articulating a legislative roadmap that confronts these issues directly while aligning with international standards of democratic governance.

Highlighting the committee’s work, he referenced a successful national roundtable held last year on Nigeria’s economy, which focused on diversification through green, blue, and digital economies. “We are beginning to see the fruits of that patriotic engagement,” he noted.

Looking ahead, the committee is preparing another round table discussion on Nigeria’s energy transition, particularly emphasizing the critical role of natural gas. “As someone from the Niger Delta, I know the value of gas, its role in powering homes, industries, agriculture, transportation and in addressing climate change. That’s why I call it ‘My Gas, My Everything,’” he said passionately.

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Leah Twaki

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