By Sani Ibrahim, Abuja
ABUJA — The Senate on Tuesday passed the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Bill, 2026, alongside three other major agriculture-related bills aimed at strengthening food security and rural development in the country.
The passage followed a motion moved by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) and seconded by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), after lawmakers rescinded an earlier decision on the bill that had already been transmitted to the President for assent.
Rising under Committee of the Whole, Senator Bamidele explained that the reconsideration became necessary after the Ministry of Justice identified fundamental legal and drafting issues requiring correction.
He told lawmakers that a technical committee comprising the Senate, House of Representatives, and legal experts from the Directorate of Legal Services was subsequently constituted to review and resolve the identified concerns.
Acting on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Rules, the chamber formally rescinded its earlier position on the bill and recommitted it for fresh consideration.
The bill was thereafter considered clause by clause and eventually passed after exhaustive deliberations.
In addition to the ports regulatory bill, the Senate also passed the National Food Reserve Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2026, the National Cassava Policy Coordination Council Bill, and the National Rice Development Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2026.
The approval of the three agricultural bills followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production, Services and Rural Development, chaired by Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central).
The newly passed legislation is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight in the maritime sector while also boosting agricultural productivity, food reserves, and value-chain coordination in key staple crops across the country.
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