On Wednesday, a significant legislative measure aimed at decentralising the governance of natural resources in Nigeria successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, under the oversight of Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Gatekeepers News reports that the proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999,” seeks to transfer control of mines and minerals—including oil fields, oil mining, geological surveys, and natural gas—from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List. This move is intended to give states greater authority over their natural resources.
The bill has been referred to the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and is sponsored by a group of prominent lawmakers, including Speaker Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, and Ikeagwuonu Onyinye Ugochinyere.
In addition to this bill, the House is also considering seven other proposals that focus on the devolution of powers. These bills aim to amend the Second Schedule of the Constitution by renaming and transferring various responsibilities—such as fingerprints, identification and criminal records, road tolls, and the construction of roads classified beyond “Trunk A”—from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List.
Among these proposed changes is one bill aimed at reclassifying water management for purposes such as domestic, commercial, industrial, and agricultural use, transferring it to the Concurrent Legislative List. This change would empower state governments to manage water resources sustainably within their jurisdictions.
Also, this proposal seeks to enhance the financial autonomy of local government councils by establishing an independent consolidated local government council account and addressing related matters.
