By OLUMIDE BAJULAIYE

Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June 2023, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has positioned the Senate as a critical partner in implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. While the Executive formulates and implements policies, the legislature provides the legal framework that enables those policies to succeed. Under Akpabio’s leadership, the Senate has focused on passing reforms aimed at economic recovery, institutional strengthening, education, investment, social welfare and democratic governance.

Rather than maintaining an adversarial relationship with the Executive, the 10th Senate has pursued what Akpabio describes as constructive legislative engagement—supporting government reforms while exercising its core constitutional responsibilities. This approach has allowed several key reforms to move from policy proposals into enforceable laws.

Economic Reform Through Legislative Backing

One of the strongest pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda is economic transformation. Recognising that policy reforms require legal support, the Senate under Akpabio has prioritised legislation designed to improve fiscal management, attract investments and modernise Nigeria’s financial system.

Among the notable legislative achievements are tax reform measures, the Investments and Securities Act, insurance reforms and the revenue administration legislation intended to simplify taxation, strengthen capital markets and improve investor confidence. These laws provide the institutional backbone for the Federal Government’s economic reforms.

Expanding Access to Education

The Senate has also supported the administration’s human capital development agenda by strengthening legislation that expands educational opportunities.

The Student Loan framework, implemented through NELFUND, represents one of the landmark legislative interventions of the 10th Senate. By providing legal hacking for student financing, the Senate has helped remove financial barriers that previously prevented many young Nigerians from accessing tertiary education.

Supporting Workers and Social Welfare

Another significant contribution has been legislation supporting improved welfare for Nigerian workers.

The Senate approved amendments relating to the National Minimum Wage, providing the legal basis for improved worker remuneration while introducing tax relief measures aimed at cushioning economic pressures. These legislative actions align with the Renewed Hope Agenda’s objective of improving citizens’ living standards.

The National Social Investment Programmes Act has also given statutory backing to government social intervention programmes, helping ensure continuity, accountability and sustainability beyond individual administrations.

Strengthening Democratic Institutions

Beyond economic legislation, Akpabio has consistently argued that sustainable development depends on stronger institutions.

The Senate has continued work on constitutional amendments, electoral reforms and governance legislation designed to improve accountability, transparency and democratic stability. Constitutional review efforts have examined issues relating to governance, security and institutional effectiveness, reflecting the Senate’s long-term focus on nation-building.

Legislative Productivity

Perhaps the most measurable indicator of the Senate’s performance under Akpabio is its legislative output.

According to official legislative records, the 10th Senate has processed more than one thousand bills through first reading, over four hundred through second reading, while more than one hundred have been passed. Reports from the Senate leadership also indicate that dozens of these bills have already received presidential assent, making the current Senate one of the most productive since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

Promoting Transparency and Public Engagement

Akpabio has also attempted to improve public understanding of legislative work through initiatives such as the National Assembly Open Week.

The initiative seeks to make parliamentary activities more transparent by allowing citizens, civil society organisations and stakeholders to engage directly with lawmakers and better understand the legislative process. Akpabio has argued that many criticisms of the legislature arise from limited public awareness of how laws are made and how legislative oversight functions.

Balancing Cooperation with Constitutional Responsibility

Supporters of Akpabio argue that the Senate has demonstrated that cooperation with the Executive does not necessarily undermine legislative independence. While critics have occasionally accused the National Assembly of being too supportive of the Presidency, the Senate leadership maintains that its role is to facilitate reforms that benefit Nigerians while retaining oversight powers over government agencies.

This philosophy reflects a model of governance where legislation serves as a catalyst for policy implementation rather than a barrier to development.

Conclusion

As President Bola Tinubu pursues the Renewed Hope Agenda, the 10th Senate under Godswill Akpabio has emerged as a significant legislative partner. Through economic reforms, education financing, social welfare legislation, institutional strengthening and constitutional reforms, the Senate has sought to provide the legal foundation for many of the administration’s policy objectives.

Whether measured by legislative output, reform-oriented bills or efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, the 10th Senate has made lawmaking a central instrument in advancing national development. Ultimately, the long-term impact of these laws will depend not only on their passage but also on effective implementation, oversight and the tangible benefits they deliver to Nigerians.

•Olumide Bajulaiye is a public affairs commentator.

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