IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

President Bola Tinubu has assented to the South-West Development Commission Bill, the South-South Development Commission Bill, and the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025. Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, made this known in a statement, noting that the legislations reflect Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance, equitable progress, and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse.

“By signing into law the establishment of the South-West and South-South Development Commissions, President Tinubu has reaffirmed his role as a transformational leader who prioritizes regional empowerment, economic expansion, and infrastructural excellence. “Building on the foundation of his earlier assent to the South-East and South-West Development Commissions, it is evident that President Tinubu is deliberate in bringing development across all regions,” he said.

Lado said the commissions would serve as catalysts for industrial growth, job creation, and social advancement—ensuring that every corner of Nigeria benefits from his administration’s progressive vision. He added that Nigeria’s Anti-Doping Bill, 2025, solidified Nigeria’s commitment to fairness, excellence, and integrity in global sports.

“By domesticating the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sports, his administration has safeguarded the future of Nigerian sports, protecting our athletes from unfair practices while reinforcing our global reputation as a country that upholds integrity,” the presidential aide said. 

House of Reps Advances Constitutional Amendments, Proposes Removal of Immunity for VP, Governors, and Creation of Six New States

The House of Representatives has passed the second reading of 42 constitutional amendment bills, including a proposal to strip the Vice President, Governors, and their Deputies of immunity, aiming to strengthen accountability and combat corruption in public office.

Among the key amendments is the creation of six new states: Oke-Ogun, Ijebu, Ife-Ijesa, Tiga, Orlu, and Etiti. The House also deliberated on recognizing the advisory roles of traditional rulers in governance, granting citizenship rights to spouses of Nigerian women, and introducing citizenship by investment.

Additionally, the proposals seek to separate the offices of the Attorney-General from that of the Minister or Commissioner for Justice, as well as enforce stricter financial accountability through enhanced audit and budget reporting requirements.

The amendments are part of broader efforts to improve governance, representation, and economic reforms across the country. 

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) across the state's 23 local government areas to submit reports detailing their councils' activities.  

According to a directive issued in a letter dated March 24, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Itong Awani, the reports are to be submitted to the ministry for onward transmission to the Sole Administrator.  

The required submissions include details on council functions, staff strength by cadre, sources of revenue, ongoing and completed projects over the past two years, achievements, challenges, and recommendations. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, March 26, 2025.  

This directive follows the Supreme Court’s annulment of the 2024 local government elections, leading to the appointment of HLGAs to oversee council affairs. Meanwhile, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has scheduled fresh local government elections for August 9, 2025, following consultations with political parties and stakeholders. 

The Senate on Wednesday mandated the Senate Committee on Communications to investigate the recent increase in the cost of data and recommend solutions for a more sustainable and business-friendly telecommunications sector. 

This was part of resolutions after a debate on a bill sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), which highlights the financial strain the price hike has placed on millions of Nigerians, particularly young people who rely on affordable internet access for their livelihoods. The bill noted that the over 200% increase in costs had “placed significant financial strain on millions of Nigerians, especially young people who rely on the internet for their livelihood.

“Among resolutions passed, the Senate asked the Federal Minister Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to engage with telecommunications providers to review the data costs and “ensure that pricing remains fair and affordable for all Nigerians.” 

The bill identified multiple factors contributing to the high cost of telecommunications in Nigeria, including:

* Poor infrastructure and unreliable power supply

* High import duties on ICT equipment

* Multiple taxation and excessive regulatory charges

* Security concerns increasing operational risks and insurance costs

* Bureaucratic bottlenecks slowing business operations and innovation

* High diesel and alternative energy costs due to unreliable national grid supply

To resolve the challenges, the lawmakers also resolved to ask the Federal Government to engage with telecom providers to review recent data price increases and ensure fair and affordable pricing. The upper chamber also passed a bill mandating the compulsory registration of citizens, aiming to overhaul Nigeria’s identity management system through the repeal and reenactment of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act.

The passage followed the submission and consideration of a report by the Committee on National Identity Card and Population, chaired by Senator Victor Umeh representing Anambra central. Umeh explained that the legislation seeks to establish a harmonised, cost-effective identity system that aligns with global best practices, enhances data accuracy, promote inclusion and closes existing gaps in Nigeria’s identity database. 

Nigeria is home to a wealth of untapped mineral resources, yet the country continues to rely on imports for refined mineral products. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called for urgent reforms in education and infrastructure to bridge this gap.

Speaking at the 37th Convocation Ceremony and 50th Anniversary of the University of Calabar, Hon. Kalu stressed the need for a shift towards a more practical, skills-based education system. Addressing an audience at the University of Calabar, Deputy Speaker Kalu pointed out that Nigeria’s education system has focused too much on theory while neglecting industries that could transform the economy. He highlighted the country’s vast mineral wealth, citing major deposits across different regions from gold and lithium to tin and coal.

Kalu: “Nigeria is abundantly blessed with solid minerals, yet for decades, our education system has focused more on theoretical disciplines than on harnessing the country’s vast natural wealth. Few universities dedicate faculties to mining, mineral processing, or extractive metallurgy. Research into value addition, refining, and sustainable mining practices remains minimal.”

Despite these vast resources, Nigeria remains a net importer of many refined mineral products. According to Kalu, the mining sector contributed only 0.3% to Nigeria’s GDP in the third quarter of 2022—an increase from 0.2% in 2021 but still far below its potential.

He detailed the distribution of Nigeria’s rich mineral deposits:

North Central: Tin, columbite, tantalite, barite

North West: Gold, granite, limestone

North East: Gypsum, kaolin, bentonite

South West: Bitumen, feldspar, lithium

South East: Lead, zinc, coal, oil, and gas

South South: Limestone, clay, rare earth elements

To harness these resources, Kalu is advocating for universities to establish specialized faculties in mining, collaborate with industry leaders, and offer hands-on training in mineral processing. Beyond education, the Deputy Speaker also emphasized the urgent need to improve Nigeria’s power infrastructure, arguing that industrialization cannot thrive without a stable electricity supply.

Kalu: “No economy whether maritime, digital, or industrial can thrive in darkness. Reliable electricity is the backbone of development, yet communities remain trapped in cycles of blackouts. The Electricity Act of 2023 was a watershed moment, but more needs to be done to ensure its full implementation.”

He urged investments in gas distribution infrastructure and sustainable energy solutions to power industries across the country. With the right policies, investments, and an education system aligned with national resources, Kalu believes Nigeria can unlock its full potential and achieve economic prosperity. But will these proposed changes be implemented? Only time will tell. 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed receiving a petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District. The petition, backed by six bags of documents containing signatures from over half of the district’s 474,554 registered voters, was submitted without complete contact details of the petitioners, delaying the process.

In a press statement, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun mni, INEC announced that the required contact information has now been provided. He said a formal notification has been sent to the Senator in question, with copies forwarded to the Senate leadership and published on INEC’s website. 

The next step involves verifying the signatures to ensure they meet the legal threshold of over 50% of registered voters in the district. INEC reassures the public that the process will be conducted transparently, with observers and the media accredited to monitor proceedings.