By Benjamin Okezie Kalu
It is my honour to welcome you to this historic National Policy Dialogue on the Legislative Agenda of the House of
Representatives. 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.
Let me begin by acknowledging the inspiring leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose Renewed Hope Agenda has redefined Nigeria’s developmental trajectory. His bold reforms-from fiscal restructuring to security sector overhauls-have laid a resilient foundation for prosperity. 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.
Under Speaker Abbas Tajudeen’s astute leadership, the House has considered over 1,059 bills since June 13, 2023, spanning every facet of national life: from foundational amendments to our
Constitution to sector-specific reforms in education, health, security, and the economy.
Our eight-pillar Legislative Agenda, drawn directly from the attached “Legislative Agenda 2.0” document and structured to support the President’s eight-point plan, includes:
1. Good Governance & Anti-Corruption: E-Parliament modernization, expansion of auditing oversight, and separation of executive-judicial functions.
2. National Security: Police reform bills (including the State Police Bill), modernization of intelligence sharing, and integration of private CCTV into national security networks.
3. Social Sector Development: Establishment of new universities, polytechnics, and health-science institutions; amendments to the Student Loan Access Act; and expansion of the National Youths Welfare Scheme.
4. Inclusive & Open Parliament: The Special Seats Bill for Women, Youth Quotas, and Voting Rights reform for Nigerians abroad.
5. Economic Growth & Diversification: Citizenship-by-Investment, Export Prohibition repeal, and Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme.
6. Fiscal Federalism & Resource Control: Mineral and water rights devolution, revenue-sharing realignments, andhope Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account) Bill.
7. Environmental Sustainability: Establishment of the Nigeria Climate Change Fund, Bio-Fuels Energy Regulatory Commission, and amendments to the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission.
8. Law Reform & Constitutional Review: Over thirty (30) alteration bills to the 1999 Constitution, Local Government autonomy measures, and the proposed parliamentary system transition.
I salute Rt. Hon. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen PhD, GCON, for orchestrating this legislative surge, and I commend Hon. Cyril Hart Godwin and Hon. Chinwe Nnabuife Clara for rigorously monitoring its implementation, ensuring that our statutes are not only enacted, but measured for impact.
Today marks a historic step in our collective effort to reposition the People’s House as a truly proactive, responsive, and people-centered institution. This Dialogue, the first of its kind, is designed to:
• Present and discuss the House’s Legislative Agenda for the current Assembly;
• Create a platform for inclusive engagement among lawmakers, policymakers, academia, civil society, and development partners;
• Identify priority policy areas demanding legislative action to accelerate national development;
• Strengthen collaboration and feedback mechanisms between the legislature and stakeholders; and
• Promote transparency, inclusiveness, and strategic direction in our lawmaking work .
By year’s end, we expect this Dialogue to deliver:
• Enhanced visibility and understanding of our Legislative Agenda;
• Integrated stakeholder inputs into our priority-setting;
• Fortified partnerships for evidence-based policymaking;
• Policy briefs and recommendations to inform our interventions; and
• Institutionalization of this Dialogue as an annual cornerstone of our legislative calendar.
Under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we have already seen tangible policy wins; unified exchange-rate windows restoring investor confidence, a record in capital inflows into our energy and tech sectors, and the passage of four streamlined tax-reform laws this year to eliminate multiple taxation and spur productivity. These reforms underscore the fact that bold legislation, when executed with conviction, can transform our nation.
To our partners in progress: the European Union, the British High Commission, UK International Development, PLAC, and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, your expert guidance, technical assistance, and research capacity have been indispensable. This Dialogue would not be possible without your steadfast support.
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. Through robust debate and collaborative problem-solving, we will ensure that our Legislative Agenda reflects the aspirations of every Nigerian.
I look forward to the insightful contributions you will make over the course of this Dialogue. Together, let us craft laws worthy of our nation’s promise and secure a future of shared prosperity and enduring democratic strength.
Thank you, and May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This was the text of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu’s Welcome Remarks at the Inaugural National Policy Dialogue on the Legislative Agenda of the House, held in Abuja on Monday, May 12, 2025.