My bill on the National Identity Management Commission (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025, passed the third and final reading stage during our today’s plenary at the Senate.
The passage of the bill followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on National Identity Card and Population which had earlier been saddled with the responsibility of carrying out further legislative scrutiny of the bill.
The bill, as passed, represents a significant legislative endeavour to enhance the efficacy and inclusivity of the Identity Management System.
It fortifies the foundational framework of the NIMC and its operations by expanding the scope of registrable persons and data management security.
Also, five bills scaled the first reading stage. They are: the National Roads Fund Bill, 2025, the Crypto Currency Regulation Bill, 2025, the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Federal Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation, Obusa, Benue State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 and National Health Act (Amendment Bill), 2025.
We also considered a motion on the recommittal of the Police Institutions Bill and the Federal University of Education, Numan, Adamawa State, Bill already passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly and effected necessary corrections to the bills before onward transmission to the President for his assent.
The appointments of Dr. Bala Bello (North East) as part-time chairman of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and those of Yusuf Tegina Sule (North Central), Adeyemo Adeoye Stephen, Yahaya Ibrahim, Odion Charles Iyare and Emily Chidinma Osuji as non-executive directors of AMCON, were confirmed during the plenary.
The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions which screened the nominees.
A motion on the urgent need to address the increased cost of data services in Nigeria was also considered.
To this effect, a resolution urging Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to engage with telecommunications providers to review the recent increase in data costs and ensure that pricing remains fair and affordable for all Nigerians, was passed.