The Nigerian Senate has amended the Acts establishing several regional development commissions and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Trust Fund by eliminating provisions that created special funds for depositing money. The decision was made to align with Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, which designates the Federation Account as the sole repository for all federally generated revenues.
During a plenary session on Wednesday, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, lawmakers reviewed and revised clauses 14 and 15 of the Acts governing the North-West Development Commission, South-West Development Commission, and South-East Development Commission. Similarly, clause 4(1) of the 2025 NYSC Trust Fund Establishment Bill was amended to remove the provision for a separate trust fund.
The amendments ensure that these commissions and the NYSC Trust Fund cannot operate independent financial accounts. Instead, their funding will continue to be sourced through the Federation Account, which retains 15% deductions from the allocations of states served by these commissions, along with other designated sources.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who introduced the motion titled “Re-committal of Bills to the Committee of the Whole,” explained that the National Assembly had initially passed the bills and forwarded them for President Bola Tinubu’s assent. However, lawmakers later identified constitutional conflicts in the funding clauses.
“The Senate observed that the funding provisions for these commissions and the proposed trust fund contradict Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution. As mandated by law, all revenues generated by the Federation must be deposited in the Federation Account,” Bamidele stated.
He further cited Section 1, subsections (1) and (3) of the Constitution, emphasizing its supremacy over any contradictory legislation. He added that the Senate, guided by Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of its 2023 Standing Orders, decided to rescind its previous approval of the affected clauses and reconsider the bills.
Following the review, the Senate passed the amended bills for a third reading to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions.
Commending the lawmakers for their swift action, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that the amendments reflect the Senate’s commitment to upholding national development while adhering to constitutional principles.
