President Tinubu Transmits 24 Health Reform Bills To Senate For Legislative Action
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted 24 health sector amendment bills to the Nigerian Senate for consideration, marking a major legislative push aimed at reforming governance and efficiency across the country’s healthcare system.
The bills were formally presented in a letter addressed to the Senate and read during plenary by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in accordance with Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
In the correspondence, President Tinubu explained that the proposed legislations emerged from a comprehensive review of existing health sector laws, jointly carried out by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in collaboration with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare. The recommendations were subsequently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
According to the President, the bills are designed to streamline governance structures within federal health institutions, particularly by addressing what he described as over-bloated board memberships. The reforms, he said, are intended to enhance efficiency, strengthen oversight, and improve service delivery across Nigeria’s health sector.
The transmitted bills cover a broad range of health institutions and regulatory bodies, including tertiary and teaching hospitals, specialist health centres, professional councils, and regulatory agencies.
Among the amendment bills listed are those affecting the National Hospital for Women and Children, Federal Medical Centres, National Specialty Hospitals Management Board, Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board, National Eye Centre, National Ear Care Centre, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the National Blood Service Agency, among others.
The President also forwarded additional legislative proposals, including the Records Officers Registration and Digital Health Bill 2025 and the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Bill 2025, signalling the administration’s interest in digital health regulation and alternative medical education.
President Tinubu expressed confidence that the Senate would give the bills thorough and judicious consideration in the interest of strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and improving public health outcomes.
Following their presentation at plenary, Senate President Akpabio referred all 24 bills to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative processing.