Fatimah Otunsanya
The Senate on Tuesday received the transmission of 24 health sector bills from President Bola Tinubu for legislative consideration, in line with Section 58(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The bills were conveyed in a letter addressed to the Senate and read during plenary by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Tinubu explained that the proposed legislation followed a comprehensive review of existing health sector laws conducted by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, in collaboration with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and subsequently approved by the Federal Executive Council.
According to the President, the bills aim to streamline governance structures across health institutions by reducing bloated board memberships, with a view to improving efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery within the sector.
He noted that the proposed legislations cover a wide range of health institutions and regulatory bodies, including tertiary and teaching hospitals, speciality hospitals, professional councils, and regulatory agencies.
The amendment bills transmitted to the Senate are those relating to the National Hospital for Women and Children; Federal Medical Centres; National Specialty Hospitals Management Board; Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board; National Eye Centre; National Ear Care Centre; Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria; Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria; the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); and the National Blood Service Agency, among others.
The President also listed additional legislative proposals, such as the Records Officers Registration and Digital Health Bill 2025 and the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Bill 2025.
Tinubu expressed confidence that the Senate would give the bills careful and judicious consideration in the interest of strengthening Nigeria’s health sector.
After the bills were read at plenary, the Senate President referred all 24 bills to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.