Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on State Houses of Assembly to intensify oversight of public spending to ensure that increased government revenue translates into improved living standards and job creation for citizens.
Speaking at the 2025 Convocation Ceremony of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), held in collaboration with the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Abuja on Monday, Akpabio said the 10th National Assembly had significantly boosted revenue to the Consolidated Revenue Fund through enhanced oversight and legislative reforms.
“We have no other country to call our own, and so we must invest for the overall good of our nation,” he said.
“As members of the 10th Senate, we will continue to strengthen legal frameworks and uphold our oversight responsibilities to ensure public institutions deliver efficient services.”
He added that the increase in national revenue had resulted in higher allocations to both states and the Federal Government and urged state legislators to ensure these funds directly improve livelihoods and employment opportunities.
Akpabio commended NILDS for its contributions to research, legislative development, and human capacity building, describing the convocation as a testament to its commitment to national progress. He encouraged the graduands to apply their knowledge to drive positive change in society.
Tinubu’s Reforms Yielding Results – Tajudeen
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, said economic reforms by President Bola Tinubu’s administration were beginning to yield positive results. He noted that inflation had fallen below 20 per cent and the naira was gaining strength against major foreign currencies.
“Though it is not yet uhuru, the country is moving closer to a single-digit inflation rate and a more stable exchange rate. Consolidating these gains is critical,” he said.
He added that the House remained committed to budget process reforms to ensure strict adherence to timelines for preparation, enactment, implementation, and oversight.
Democracy Needs Vigilance – Jega
Delivering the convocation lecture, former INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega emphasised the need for continuous vigilance to prevent democratic backsliding, especially in nations with histories of military rule like Nigeria.
He highlighted the importance of strengthening electoral integrity by enhancing the capacity, professionalism, and funding of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other election management bodies.
“Electoral offenders must be held accountable, and adaptable technology must be deployed adequately to improve credibility,” Jega stressed.
Call for Better Funding of Tertiary Education
Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, congratulated the 79 graduands from the institute’s HND, Postgraduate Diploma, and Master’s programmes. He appealed for increased funding for tertiary institutions to enhance skills development and educational quality.
He urged the federal and state governments to prioritise education in the 2026 budget and find a lasting solution to recurrent ASUU strikes.
