The Senate on Thursday approved three bills transmitted by the House of Representatives, paving the way for the expansion of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, the reform of the National Inland Waterways Administration (NIWA), and stricter regulation of tobacco and nicotine products.
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 on the measures, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said the FCT High Court amendment bill seeks to increase the number of judges from 75 to 100 in response to the growing workload of the court.
He explained that the expansion would help improve the administration of justice and ensure that judicial appointments reflect the federal character principle provided for in the Constitution.
On the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) bill, Bamidele said the proposed repeal and re-enactment followed the Supreme Court judgment in the dispute between the Attorneys-General of Lagos State and the Federation.
According to him, the judgment significantly curtailed the Federal Government’s regulatory authority over inland waterways to areas within its constitutional mandate, thereby rendering some provisions of the existing NIWA Act inconsistent with the Constitution.
He said the new legislation clearly defines the jurisdiction of the authority, removes provisions invalidated by the apex court, and resolves areas of overlap and conflict with state governments.
Bamidele added that the bill would promote private sector participation in inland water transportation while strengthening navigation safety, environmental protection and sustainable development.
The Senate also approved the National Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to update the 2015 Act to address emerging nicotine products.
The proposed amendment extends regulatory oversight to non-combustible tobacco products and nicotine pouches, while retaining existing restrictions on access by minors and use of such products in public places.
Supporting the bills, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) said although the Senate possesses the constitutional authority to amend or reject bills passed by the House of Representatives, there was no justification for altering the measures because they address important public policy issues.
Following the second reading, the Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole, considered the clauses of the three bills and approved them without amendment.
The legislation will now be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
(The Whistler)
