The House of Representatives concluded its 2025 legislative year, marking another period of activity following its resumption after the yuletide break. This year’s session promised significant progress, but as the year wound down, opinions varied on whether expectations were fully met. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen emphasized the need for deliberate action to address national challenges, urging members to focus on key priorities, particularly the constitutional amendment process. The initial resumption date of January 28, 2025, was shifted to February 4, allowing standing Committees to conclude engagements with stakeholders on the 2025 budget. The Speaker reminded colleagues that Nigerians expected tangible results, specifically pointing to high costs of living, underemployment, and insecurity as pressing issues requiring urgent attention. Abbas highlighted the House’s achievements under his leadership, recalling the successful passing of 237 bills and securing Presidential assent for 50, covering areas like power reform, student loans, and cybersecurity. Strategic areas of focus at the year’s beginning included Electoral Reforms to make elections less contentious, the Reserved Seats Bill for Women to prioritize their representation, State Police Establishment to address security reforms, and Youth Engagement to support young Nigerians through legislative actions. The House reiterated its commitment to achieving its set goals throughout the year. The Legislative Agenda outlined a broad course of action on constitution review, electoral reforms, gender equity, and security, projecting the year as a crucial period for impactful lawmaking and oversight functions by its committees. By mid-year, Speaker Abbas announced that the House had considered over 2,200 bills since the start of the 10th Assembly, with 186 passed and 51 signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The House also reached a consensus on and successfully considered the tax reform bills transmitted by the President, which had initially faced stiff resistance. Despite recorded successes, analysts pointed out the parliament’s inability to prioritize reforms considered critically essential to the Nigerian state, namely electoral reforms and constitution amendment efforts. They attributed this perceived relegation to more attention being paid to bills from the president. Belatedly, the House struggled to get the Electoral Act amendment bill passed just days before the yuletide break, with many expected reforms failing. The Committee on Electoral Matters later explained challenges in passing far-reaching amendment proposals. Chairman of the committee, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, briefed journalists, stating that provisions on early voting, inmate voting, replacing the Permanent Voters’ Card with technology-driven accreditation, and adjustments to electoral timelines did not command the support of the majority of members or sufficient consensus among key stakeholders. He assured that these setbacks were not dead ends, reflecting the maturity of democracy and the responsibility of parliament to legislate inclusively and inclusively. All not lost, the House approved other far-reaching amendment proposals, including a five-year jail term for falsification of election results, and recognition of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and real-time electronic transmission of election results. The Electoral Act 2022 remains a progressive law, and proposed amendments aimed to consolidate its strengths and address gaps. The committee engaged widely with stakeholders for a transparent process. However, the Constitution Review exercise did not fare as well, with the House unable to vote on the first phase, despite promises to deliver it before the end of December 2025. Tax laws controversy arose when a member raised concerns that portions of the tax reform laws passed by the National Assembly had been tampered with in the officially gazetted copy. The House responded by forming an Ad hoc committee to investigate. The opposition caucus joined the debate, asking the President to suspend implementation pending the investigation’s outcome. This occurred shortly before the January 1, 2026 commencement date, when President Tinubu signaled the laws would take effect. Many pundits believe the investigation may be an exercise in futility, potentially overtaken by events. The criminal aspect of the alleged alterations raises concerns, with wide doors for litigation. Suggested options include the President liaising with parliament for immediate amendments or suspending implementation until concerns are addressed. Whether the current National Assembly will demonstrate courage to expunge controversial insertions remains to be seen, as analysts caution against a despotic disposition of the government. Featured snippet paragraph: The House of Representatives passed 237 bills and secured Presidential assent for 50 in 2025, covering key areas like power reform, student loans, and cybersecurity, demonstrating legislative progress amidst ongoing national challenges. The year also saw significant debate and consideration of tax reform laws, though controversies emerged regarding alleged tampering in the gazetted copies, prompting an investigation. The legislative journey involved navigating complex stakeholder interests and building consensus on critical issues affecting the nation. The commitment to electoral reforms and constitutional amendments remained a central theme, though progress was met with varying degrees of success. The challenges in achieving these reforms highlight the intricate nature of legislative processes in a democratic setting. The House’s engagement with stakeholders, including civil society organizations and political parties, aimed to foster a more inclusive and transparent legislative environment. This approach, while time-consuming, is crucial for building broad agreement on contentious issues. The ongoing efforts to refine electoral laws and address constitutional matters reflect a commitment to strengthening democratic institutions. The outcomes of these endeavors will shape the future of governance and citizen participation. The legislative agenda for 2025 was ambitious, focusing on critical areas that directly impact the lives of Nigerians. From economic reforms to security enhancements, the House aimed to deliver tangible results. However, the effectiveness of these efforts is subject to continuous evaluation and public scrutiny. The ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges and maintain momentum is key to achieving long-term legislative goals. The tax reform laws, in particular, generated considerable discussion due to their potential economic implications. The controversy surrounding their gazetting underscores the importance of meticulous legislative drafting and oversight. Ensuring that laws accurately reflect the intent of the legislature is paramount to maintaining public trust and preventing legal disputes. The investigation into these alleged alterations is a crucial step in upholding legislative integrity. The year ended with a mixed bag of achievements and challenges for the House of Representatives. While some legislative milestones were reached, others proved more elusive. The ongoing efforts to address pressing national issues demonstrate a continued commitment to public service. The effectiveness of these initiatives will ultimately be judged by their impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. The path forward involves sustained dialogue and collaborative action. Looking ahead, the House faces the ongoing task of balancing diverse interests and delivering on its mandate. The lessons learned from 2025 will undoubtedly inform future legislative strategies. The pursuit of meaningful reforms requires persistence, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the nation’s evolving needs. The commitment to good governance remains a guiding principle for the institution.
