The Senate on Thursday suspended consideration of the Chartered Institute of Training and Development of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2026, after lawmakers raised concerns about possible duplication of existing institutions and the relevance of the proposed legislation.
The bill, which seeks to create a professional body for certified trainers and development practitioners in Nigeria, sparked debate during plenary as senators questioned its necessity within the current regulatory framework.
Some lawmakers argued that the proposed institute could overlap with the functions of already established training and professional development bodies in the country.
During the discussion, Senator Abdul Ningi opposed the bill, warning against passing it without proper scrutiny simply because it originated from the House of Representatives.
He said, “We can’t be emotional because it’s coming from a sister chamber and pass it. The bill doesn’t have the required merit to go through.”
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele suggested that the proposal be further reviewed by a sub-committee to ensure it complies with legislative procedures before any final decision is made.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also supported a more detailed examination of the bill, stressing that not all bills from the House should be automatically approved.
“Not everything that comes from the House must be passed. This bill is amorphous and can make us look somehow before the executive, who will ultimately assent to it,” he stated.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin also backed the decision to step down the bill, saying its objectives were unclear and required further clarification.
He said, “What we can do is to stand down the bill because we need an explanation. If you look at what this bill seeks to do, the Chartered Institute of Training and Development, it is quite vague. So, Senate Leader, please extend your diplomacy for us to get a better explanation.”
However, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro defended the bill, insisting that its provisions were clear and should be properly considered.
Following deliberations, the Senate set up a sub-committee to further review the bill and ensure proper scrutiny before it is reconsidered.
The bill is part of several proposed laws seeking to establish new professional bodies, a trend that has increasingly raised concerns among lawmakers about duplication of functions and proliferation of agencies.
