By Nathaniel Zacchaeus Abuja
The two chambers of the National Assembly yesterday passed a resolution to Institutionalise the annual presentation of the June 12 Democracy Day address by the President at a joint session of the federal parliament.
This followed a motion by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, when President Bola Tinubu appeared before the federal lawmakers to address Nigerians.
Abbas called for the institutionalisation of the presidential address at the National Assembly because the apex legislative institution is the symbol of democratic strength and accountability.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, put the motion to a vote, and the entire federal legislature voted in support, making it the resolution of the parliament.
Earlier, Akpabio had commended President Bola Tinubu as one of the architects of Nigeria’s democracy and for taking courageous decisions as the leader of Nigeria.
He made the commendation in his remarks at the joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which President Tinubu addressed as part of the activities to mark the 2025 Democracy Day celebration.
Akpabio said, “The National Assembly is proud to host you, our President, our compatriot, and one of our own, as you fulfil the solemn constitutional duty of addressing the nation.
“This chamber honours you not merely as the President but as one of the architects of the very democratic foundation we commemorate today. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we have seen a transformation in his bold approach to difficult reforms.
“From unifying the foreign exchange market to local government autonomy to the formation of the regional development commissions to Nigerian Education Loan Fund to removing fuel subsidies to attracting foreign investments to tax reforms, this administration has not shied away from the hard decisions required to stabilise and grow our economy.
“These efforts are gradually restoring investor confidence, laying the foundations for long-term prosperity, and refocusing government expenditure toward productive investments.
“Mr President, we commend you for your boldness, your vision, and your unwavering belief in Nigeria’s future. Likewise, the 10th National Assembly,” he said.
Akpabio also described Tinubu as a great democrat who suffered personal losses for democracy to thrive in Nigeria. “Many, including Your Excellency, stood tall in those days of darkness. While others chose silence or compromise, you chose courage.
“At significant personal cost, NADECO, which you were part of, helped sustain the flame of liberty when it was most at risk of going out. As we mark this day, let us remember those who bled so that we could have the right to vote.
“Those who took risks so we could speak. Those who were buried so that freedom might rise. Let us also pay tribute to all those who played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s democratic transition. This year’s theme—”26 Years of Democracy: Renewing Our Commitment to National Development”—is not a slogan. It is a call to purpose,” he said.
Akpabio also listed some of the achievements of the NASS ahead of its second anniversary on June 13.
“From its inception, the 10th Senate demonstrated a renewed vigour for addressing the country’s complex challenges through purposeful legislation.
“This commitment is reflected in its extraordinary output: a total of 844 bills have been introduced within its first two years—an unprecedented figure that underscores the Senate’s proactive posture in tackling pressing national issues.
“Out of this impressive volume, 107 bills are currently at the committee stage, undergoing the necessary scrutiny and stakeholder engagement that ensures quality legislation, 206 bills are awaiting first reading, reflecting a robust pipeline of legislative ideas prepared for formal introduction, and 409 bills have advanced to second reading.
“Notably, the Senate has passed 96 bills, a record for any Nigerian Senate at this stage of the legislative cycle. Even more significantly, 52 of these bills have been assented to by the President, translating into enforceable laws that will shape governance, economic development, public welfare, and national security.
“These bills include the National Education Fund, local government autonomy bill, regional development commissions, tax reforms, universities and tertiary institutions, agricultural institutions, etc.
“Moreover, the Tenth Senate has acted decisively on 26 Executive Bills, showcasing a healthy balance of cooperation and oversight in its engagement with the executive arm.
“These executive-sponsored legislations address key policy areas and benefit from the Senate’s thorough review and refinement before passage.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has acknowledged the progress made by the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but emphasised that significant challenges remain.
Speaking during his vote of thanks at the joint National Assembly session following the President’s Democracy Day address, the Speaker noted that while there have been commendable achievements, Nigeria’s journey towards comprehensive development is far from complete.
He stressed the need for intensified efforts across all critical sectors.
Abbas urged President Tinubu to focus on a thorough transformation of Nigeria’s power sector to ensure optimal performance.
He also highlighted the National Assembly’s determination to deliver a revised Constitution that reflects the people’s aspirations by December 2025.
This revised Constitution, he noted, would include provisions for gender equity, such as the inclusion of a 35% affirmative action clause for women’s representation in governance.
He said the Assembly remains committed to addressing critical national issues and reforms, including the allocation of reserved seats for women, assigning formal constitutional roles to traditional rulers, and ensuring legal backing for gender equity policies.
He urged the President to shift the country’s heavy dependence on thermal and hydroelectric sources to a more diverse and sustainable energy mix, including renewable options such as solar, wind, and nuclear.
According to him, only a leader with Tinubu’s political will can bring about this transformation.
He announced the House’s plan to urgently review the 2007 Mining Act, which would enable state governments to engage in lawful mining operations while enhancing regulatory oversight and addressing security risks.
Reflecting on the historical significance of Democracy Day, Abbas said President Tinubu’s presence at the National Assembly was a reaffirmation of the strength of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Highlighting the work done under the 10th National Assembly since June 2023, Abbas said it has adopted an eight-point Legislative Agenda that aligns with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision.
He noted that of the 2,263 bills introduced, 65.3% have passed Second Reading, 186 have been passed into law, and 51 have received presidential assent—an unprecedented achievement for any Nigerian president in his first two years.
He stated that the legislature has contributed to progress in key sectors, such as national security. ₦ 6.11 trillion—11.1% of the 2025 budget—was allocated to defence.
“He noted that the House Public Accounts Committee recovered over ₦61.5bn in unpaid debts from oil and gas companies.
