With just 16 months remaining in the 10th National Assembly’s tenure, the Senate has outlined an ambitious legislative agenda focused on crucial reforms. These include the passage of the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, significant electoral reforms in preparation for the 2027 general elections, and the completion of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central), the Leader of the Senate, revealed this ahead of the Assembly’s resumption of plenary on Tuesday. Bamidele emphasized that the Senate remains committed to delivering responsive, people-centered legislation aimed at strengthening governance, stabilizing the economy, and boosting Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
With only 16 months left of the 48-month term allotted to the Assembly, Bamidele stressed the urgency of passing legislation that promotes national cohesion, economic diversification, and institutional resilience. He highlighted the progress made in the first 32 months, focusing on reforms in critical sectors to transition Nigeria from an extraction-dependent economy to a more diversified and globally competitive state.
Top on the Senate’s agenda is the passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, presented by President Bola Tinubu in December 2025. The ₦58.47 trillion budget is viewed as essential for ensuring macro-economic stability, job creation, rising incomes, and improved living standards across the country. Committees in both chambers are already scrutinizing the revenue and expenditure projections, with an emphasis on returning to a January-to-December budget cycle.
Bamidele also pointed to recent fiscal reforms, such as the 2025 Tax Reform Act, which recalibrated Nigeria’s fiscal space by easing the tax burden on low-income earners and increasing responsibility for high-income earners. This, he noted, will improve revenue generation, reduce budget deficits, and ensure sustainable funding for government programs.
In addition to the budget, the Senate is prioritizing a review of the Electoral Act, 2022. This review aims to deliver a more credible, transparent, and accountable electoral framework for the upcoming 2027 elections. The proposed Electoral Bill, 2025, includes at least 20 provisions to enhance electoral credibility, strengthen the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and secure votes. Notable innovations in the bill include recognizing voting rights for eligible prisoners, mandating the release of election funds to INEC at least one year before elections, implementing electronically generated voter identification with QR codes, and ensuring the compulsory electronic transmission of polling unit results.
As the 10th National Assembly approaches its final phase, these legislative actions are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s future governance and development.
