As the Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio turns three, lawmakers count wins in legislation, but face knocks over weak checks on the executive and frequent floor clashes, writes SAMSON ELIJAH
As the Senate marks its third anniversary on 13 June 2026, the performance of the 10th National Assembly under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio continues to attract mixed reactions from stakeholders, civil society organisations, political analysts and citizens.
When Senator Akpabio assumed office on 13 June 2023, he pledged that the upper chamber of the National Assembly would prioritise the welfare of Nigerians in all its decisions.
“To the Nigerian people, I say this: your dreams, your aspirations, and your well-being will be at the heart of everything we will do in this Senate. I urge you to remain hopeful, steadfast, and united,” Akpabio declared in his inaugural address.
Three years later, the Senate’s record presents a complex picture of legislative achievements, controversial reforms, unresolved investigations, constitutional amendments, political defections, and growing concerns about its oversight role and independence from the executive branch.
Without a clearly defined performance framework, Nigerians are left to assess the Senate’s impact through its legislative output, oversight activities, responses to national challenges, and its ability to represent citizens’ interests amid worsening economic conditions.
Senate Composition
The Nigerian Constitution assigns lawmakers key responsibilities, including lawmaking through bills and motions, oversight of government agencies and institutions, screening and confirmation of presidential appointments, treaty ratification, and consideration of petitions from individuals and organisations.
The Senate comprises 109 members, with three senators elected from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and one representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Conflicting Statistics Raise Questions Over Legislative Productivity
Conflicting figures released by Senate leadership have created uncertainty regarding the exact legislative output of the 10th Senate.
While presenting the Senate’s scorecard recently, Senate President Akpabio stated that 96 out of 844 bills introduced in the chamber had been passed.
However, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, speaking at another event, disclosed that 108 out of 983 bills had been passed. The figures include both executive-sponsored and privately sponsored bills.
Bills Passed: Quantity Versus Relevance
Among major legislations passed and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu are the Appropriation Acts, National Anthem Act, Increase in Judicial Officers’ Salaries Act, Cybercrime Act, Death Penalty for Drug Traffickers Act, Extension of Retirement Age of National Assembly Staff Act, Student Loan Act, National Social Investment Programmes Act, Minimum Wage Amendment Act, Investments and Securities Act, Regional Development Commission Acts, and the Tax Reform Bills.
However, analysts continue to debate whether the laws have translated into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Era Of Multiple Budgets
