On Wednesday, the Senate approved amendments to the Acts that created several regional development commissions and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Trust Fund, incorporating provisions for their funding into the nation’s constitution.
The amendments were made following a motion titled “Re-committal of Bills to the Committee of the Whole,” presented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central).
In his motion, Bamidele reminded the Senate that the bills for the establishment of the North-West, South-West, South-East Development Commissions, and the NYSC Trust Fund had already been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
He noted that the bills had been forwarded to the Clerk of the National Assembly for transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
However, he pointed out that the funding provisions in the bills for the commissions and the proposed NYSC Trust Fund seemed to contradict Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Bamidele referenced Section 1, subsections (1) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution, which asserts the supremacy of the Constitution and declares that any law conflicting with it shall be invalid to the extent of the conflict.
He emphasized that the Senate must adhere to the Constitution and act within its bounds. In line with this, the Senate relied on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of its 2023 Standing Orders (as amended) to reverse its decisions on the affected clauses of the development commissions and NYSC Trust Fund bills.
“This, resulted in the re-commital of the bills to Committee of the Whole for reconsideration and passage.”
He listed the affected clauses to include, Clause 14 of 2025 North West, South West Development Commissions Establishment Bills.
He also said it affected clause 15 of South East Development Commission Establishment Bill and clause 4 (1) of the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund Establishment Bill 2025.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio who presided over the plenary said the action became necessary to avoid any breach of the constitution.
He said the Senate observed that the funding clauses for the commissions and the proposed fund to be established as provided in the Acts appeared to contradict section 162 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The Red Chamber subsequently approved amendments to clauses 14 and 15 of the Acts that created the North-West, South-West, and South-East Development Commissions.
Additionally, clause 4(1) of the 2025 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Trust Fund Establishment Bill was also amended.
Following the passage of the bills, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that the regional development commission bills now align with the Nigerian Constitution.
He specifically noted that Section 162, which mandates that all funds accruing to the Federation be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, had been addressed through the amendments.
Akpabio confirmed that the amended bills would be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
He also praised the establishment committee and his fellow senators for their swift work on the bills, commending their contributions, patience, and patriotic spirit as a true dedication to serving the nation.
