Tinubu’s economic reforms making Nigeria more investible — UK Envoy

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing them as “big and bold” initiatives that have transformed Nigeria into a more attractive destination for investors.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Montgomery acknowledged that the UK’s interest in Nigeria is growing, citing the positive impact of recent economic policies.

“I’ve been very public previously about commending the big and bold economic reforms being taken by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Montgomery stated.

Tinubu presents N1.78tn FCT budget to Senate, seeks speedy approval

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a proposed N1.783 trillion budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the Senate, seeking speedy approval for the 2025 fiscal year.

In a formal message to the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday, the President called for urgent consideration of the bill, emphasizing its importance in delivering a functional and responsive administration for FCT residents.

To expedite the legislative process, the Senate activated Order 78, which allowed the appropriation bill to pass its second reading on the same day it was introduced.

Despite the swift movement, the procedure was met with resistance. Senator Abdul Ningi, a member of the opposition, objected under Order 77 (3 and 4), arguing that lawmakers had not received copies of the bill before the discussion commenced.

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The Senate subsequently proceeded with a debate on the bill’s general principles.

Presenting the proposal, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele stated that the bill aims to permit the release of ₦1,783,823,708,392.00 from the FCT Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund. These funds are intended to cover personnel, overhead, and capital expenses from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
According to Bamidele, the budget allocates ₦150.35 billion for personnel expenses, ₦343.78 billion for overhead costs, and ₦1.29 trillion for capital development.

He stressed that the core goal of the budget is to sustain a results-driven administration with  the continuation of existing projects in the FCT and  the introduction of new ones deemed crucial.

Tinubu presents N1.78tn FCT budget to Senate, seeks speedy approval

Constitution: Reps reject proposal for rotational presidency

The House of Representatives on Tuesday voted down a bill that proposed rotating the office of the president among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

During the session presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, lawmakers also rejected six additional constitutional amendment bills. All seven proposals failed to pass the crucial second reading stage.

Among the bills was one seeking to transfer the authority to register and regulate political parties from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to a newly proposed Office of the Registrar General of Political Parties. This legislation was sponsored by Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and Hon. Francis E. Waive.

Another notable bill—tabled by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu—sought to institutionalize rotational leadership at the federal level, specifically between the six zones: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West.

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Also defeated was a proposal by Hon. Julius O. Ihonvbere aimed at establishing and empowering independent Offices of the Auditors-General at the local government level and in the Federal Capital Territory. According to the bill, the initiative was designed to enhance fiscal responsibility and governance at the grassroots.

Hon. Ihonvbere also fronted a bill advocating for the increase in the number of judges in the Federal High Court to a minimum of 100, a measure that did not survive the House vote.

In a related effort, lawmakers rejected a constitutional amendment expanding the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction to include admiralty matters such as shipping, inland waterways—including the River Niger and River Benue—and federal ports.

Additionally, the chamber turned down a bill granting the National Judicial Council (NJC) authority to determine and review, in collaboration with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the remuneration of judicial officers and judiciary staff.

Finally, a motion to create Ughelli East Local Government Area in Delta State, brought forward by Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, also failed to gain the necessary support.

Initially, all seven proposals were bundled and voted on as a group but were rejected outright. Subsequent efforts to conduct separate votes also failed, despite intervention from the House Committee on Rules and Business, which suggested revisiting the motions on Wednesday.

Constitution: Reps reject proposal for rotational presidency