Tinubu Submits 24 Health-Related Bills to the Senate

The Senate has received 24 health sector bills transmitted by President Bola Tinubu for legislative consideration, in accordance with Section 58(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The proposed legislations were conveyed in a letter to the Senate and formally read during plenary by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

President Tinubu stated that the bills emerged from 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. The review was subsequently approved by the Federal Executive Council.

According to the President, the proposed amendments are designed to streamline governance structures within health institutions by reducing excessively large board memberships, with the aim of enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and overall service delivery across the sector.

He explained that the bills cover a broad range of health institutions and regulatory bodies, including tertiary and teaching hospitals, specialty hospitals, professional councils, and regulatory agencies. The amendment bills relate to institutions such as 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 highlighted additional legislative proposals, including 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 thorough and judicious consideration in the interest of strengthening Nigeria’s health sector.

Following their presentation at plenary, the Senate President referred all 24 bills to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.