Senate Amends Regional Development Bills, NYSC, Trust Fund Act

Senate Amends Regional Development Bills, NYSC, Trust Fund Act

The Nigerian Senate, on Wednesday, approved amendments to the Acts establishing various regional development commissions and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Trust Fund, incorporating provisions for their funding in line with the nation’s constitution.……READ MORE

The decision followed a motion titled “Re-committal of Bills to the Committee of the Whole,” presented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central). Bamidele recalled that the bills for the North-West, South-West, and South-East Development Commissions, as well as the NYSC Trust Fund Establishment Bill 2025, had previously been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. These bills had been sent to the Clerk of the National Assembly for onward transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.

However, Bamidele highlighted that the Senate observed potential contradictions between the funding clauses of these bills and Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“The Constitution is supreme, and any law that contradicts it is null and void to the extent of that contradiction,” he stated, citing Section 1, subsections (1) and (3) of the Constitution.

To ensure compliance with constitutional provisions, the Senate invoked Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of its 2023 Standing Orders (as amended) to rescind decisions on the affected clauses, referring the bills back to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration and passage.

Affected Clauses:

• Clause 14 of the 2025 North-West and South-West Development Commissions Establishment Bills
• Clause 15 of the South-East Development Commission Establishment Bill
• Clause 4(1) of the NYSC Trust Fund Establishment Bill 2025

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the plenary, emphasized that the amendments were necessary to avoid constitutional breaches. The Senate adjusted the clauses to ensure that all funds accruing to the Federation would be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, in accordance with Section 162 of the Constitution.

Following the passage of the amendments, Akpabio noted that the bills now align fully with constitutional requirements and will be transmitted to President Tinubu for assent.

“The dedication, patience, and patriotic zeal demonstrated by my colleagues reflect our commitment to national service,” Akpabio stated, commending the Senate’s swift action on the legislation.