Major Shakeup In Senate Committees As Lawmakers Hail Budget Review

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday praised lawmakers for their diligence and in-depth review of the 2025 budget during the recently concluded budget defense sessions.

Addressing senators at the resumption of plenary after a two-week recess, Akpabio emphasized the importance of the budget scrutiny in ensuring a realistic and actionable financial plan for the country in 2025.

Following President Bola Tinubu’s approval of bills establishing regional development commissions, the Senate reassigned leadership positions for the newly created commissions:

• North West Development Commission: Senator Babangida Hussaini (Chairman) and Senator Muntari Dandutse (Deputy Chairman).
• South East Development Commission: Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Chairman) and Senator Kenneth Eze (Deputy Chairman).
• North Central Development Commission: Senator Titus Zam (Chairman) and Senator Isa Jibrin (Deputy Chairman).

Additionally, the Senate reshuffled leadership across key standing committees, with major changes including:

• Senator Abdul Ningi moving from the Committee on Population to head the Senate Committee on FERMA.
• Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan shifting from Local Content to Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and NGOs.
• Senator Garba Maidoki appointed as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development.
• Senator Joel Thomas taking over as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
• Senator Victor Umeh reassigned from the Diaspora Committee to Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Population and NIMC.