The Senate, on Thursday, approved three bills transmitted by the House of Representatives to strengthen the justice system, reform inland waterways regulation, and update Nigeria’s tobacco control law.
The bills are the High Court of the FCT (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, the National Inland Waterways Authority (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, and the National Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
Leading debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the FCT High Court bill, HB 1635, proposes to increase the number of judges from 75 to 100.
He said the expansion had become necessary to address the increasing workload of the court and to ensure that judicial appointments reflect the federal character principle as required by the Constitution.
On the NIWA bill, HB 790, Bamidele explained that the repeal and re-enactment was triggered by the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in the dispute between the Attorneys-General of Lagos State and the Federation.
He noted that the judgment substantially limited the Federal Government’s regulatory authority over inland waterways to those within its constitutional competence.
According to him, following the judgment, key provisions of the existing NIWA Act became inconsistent with the Constitution, making a comprehensive repeal and re-enactment necessary.
He said the new bill clearly defines the jurisdiction of the authority, removes provisions invalidated by the Supreme Court, and eliminates areas of conflict with state governments.
Bamidele added that the legislation also encourages private sector investment in inland water transport and strengthens navigation safety, environmental protection and sustainable development.
The Senate also concurred with the National Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, HB 47 and HB 1151. The bill seeks to modernise the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015, by extending regulation to emerging nicotine products.
These include non-combustible tobacco products and nicotine pouches, while preserving restrictions on access by minors and exposure in public places.
Bamidele informed senators that all three bills complied with the relevant provisions of the Senate Standing Orders governing concurrence bills and urged the chamber to approve them.
Supporting the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole , said that although the Senate reserves the power to amend or reject House bills, there was no basis to alter the measures because they addressed important public policy concerns.
The bills were subsequently read a second time. The Senate then dissolved into the Committee of the Whole, considered each clause, and passed all three bills for concurrence without amendment.
The measures now await presidential assent to become law.