Senate Approves 25 New FCT Judges, Overhauls NIWA, Tobacco Laws

The Senate on Thursday concurred with three bills transmitted by the House of Representatives to expand the Federal Capital Territory judiciary, restructure inland waterways regulation, and tighten the regulatory framework on tobacco and nicotine products.

The approved bills 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 debate on the legislation, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the High Court bill, HB. 1635, seeks to raise the number of judges from 75 to 100.

He explained that the increase is necessary to clear the court’s mounting backlog and to align judicial appointments with the federal character principle as provided in the Constitution.

On the waterways bill, HB. 790, Bamidele said the repeal and re-enactment follows the Supreme Court ruling in the suit between the Attorneys-General of Lagos State and the Federation.

He noted that the judgment restricted the Federal Government’s regulatory powers over inland waterways to areas within its constitutional competence, leaving key provisions of the existing NIWA Act inconsistent with the Constitution.

According to him, the new bill redefines the authority’s jurisdiction, removes provisions nullified by the Supreme Court, and eliminates areas of friction with state governments.

Bamidele added that the legislation encourages private sector investment in inland water transport and reinforces navigation safety, environmental protection and sustainable development.

On tobacco control, the Senate also concurred with the National Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, HB. 47 and HB. 1151, designed to update the 2015 Act.

The amendment extends regulation to emerging nicotine products, including non-combustible tobacco products and nicotine pouches, while preserving restrictions on access by minors and use in public places.

Supporting the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), said while the Senate retains powers to amend or reject bills from the House, there was no reason to alter the measures, given their alignment with critical public policy concerns.

The three bills were read a second time before the Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole, considered each clause, and passed all measures for concurrence without amendment.

The bills will now be transmitted to the President for assent.