The Senate on Thursday approved three key bills transmitted by the House of Representatives, paving the way for the appointment of 25 additional judges for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, while also overhauling Nigeria’s inland waterways law and tightening regulations on tobacco and nicotine products.
The bills approved by the upper chamber 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 the debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the High Court amendment bill seeks to increase the number of judges in the FCT High Court from 75 to 100.
According to him, the move is aimed at reducing the growing backlog of cases and ensuring judicial appointments comply with the federal character principle as enshrined in the Constitution.
Speaking on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Bill, Bamidele explained that the legislation became necessary following the Supreme Court judgment in the legal dispute between the Attorneys-General of Lagos State and the Federation.
He said the apex court limited the Federal Government’s regulatory authority over inland waterways to areas within its constitutional jurisdiction, making several provisions of the existing NIWA Act inconsistent with the Constitution.
The Senate Leader noted that the new legislation redefines the powers of the authority, removes provisions invalidated by the Supreme Court and resolves areas of conflict between the Federal Government and state governments.
He added that the bill would also encourage private sector investment in water transportation while promoting navigation safety, environmental protection and sustainable development.
On tobacco control, the Senate also approved amendments to the National Tobacco Control Act to strengthen regulation of emerging nicotine products.
The amendment expands the scope of the law to cover non-combustible tobacco products and nicotine pouches, while retaining existing restrictions on access by minors and the use of such products in public places.
Supporting the bills, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) said although the Senate has the constitutional power to amend or reject bills passed by the House of Representatives, there was no need to alter the proposed laws because they address important national concerns.
Following clause-by-clause consideration in the Committee of the Whole, the Senate passed all three bills without amendment.
The bills will now be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
