The Senate has approved amendments to key national legislations aimed at strengthening efficiency, accountability and service delivery across critical sectors in Nigeria.
The amendments cut across pension administration, healthcare delivery and the governance of federal teaching hospitals.
Lawmakers also confirmed the nomination of Obehi Aire Okafor for appointment as Co-chairman of the Governing Council of the Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund.
The approvals followed detailed consideration of committee reports presented during plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, with lawmakers unanimously adopting the recommendations.
Leading the process, Mohammed Sani Musa moved that the Senate receive and consider the report of the Committee on Finance on Okafor’s nomination. The chamber subsequently approved the recommendation, clearing her for appointment to the governing council of the Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund, a strategic body responsible for overseeing dormant financial assets.
In another legislative action, the Senate considered and adopted the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters on the National Assembly Service Pension Board (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The report was presented by Cyril Oluwole Fasuyi, who moved for its consideration.
Lawmakers thereafter approved the amendments, which are aimed at strengthening governance and improving administrative efficiency within the National Assembly pension framework.
Similarly, the Senate considered the report of the Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) on the National Health Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The report was presented by Banigo Ipalibo Harry (Rivers West), who also moved for its consideration.
The chamber approved the recommendations, paving the way for reforms intended to improve the structure, coordination and delivery of secondary and tertiary healthcare services across the country.
In a related development, the Senate also adopted a joint report of the Committees on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) and Tertiary Institutions and TETFund on the University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards, etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The joint report, also presented by Senator Banigo, seeks to restructure the governance frameworks of federal university teaching hospitals, with emphasis on board reconstitution, improved oversight and enhanced institutional performance.
