The Senate on Thursday stepped down consideration of the Chartered Institute of Training and Development of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2026, following a heated debate among lawmakers over its relevance and possible duplication of the functions of existing institutions.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a professional body for certified trainers and development practitioners in Nigeria.
However, several senators expressed reservations about the bill, questioning its necessity and whether it would add value to the country’s existing regulatory and professional framework.
Leading the opposition, Senator Abdul Ningi cautioned against approving the bill 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.”
Some lawmakers also argued that the proposed institute could overlap with the responsibilities of existing training, management and professional development institutions.
Contributing to the debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele recommended the establishment of a sub-committee to review the proposal and ensure compliance with Order 78 of the Senate Standing Rules before further legislative action is taken.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio backed the call for a more thorough examination of the bill, warning against rubber-stamping legislation transmitted from the House of Representatives.
“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.
Also supporting the move to suspend consideration of the bill, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin said its objectives remained unclear and required further explanation.
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 legislation, insisting that there was nothing ambiguous about its provisions and objectives.
The bill is one of several establishment bills seeking to create new professional bodies and institutions currently before the National Assembly, a trend that has attracted increasing scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about duplication of functions and the proliferation of regulatory agencies.
Following the debate, Akpabio announced the constitution of a sub-committee, to be chaired by Ningi, to ensure that bills transmitted from the House of Representatives receive rigorous scrutiny before being considered by the Senate.
