Posted by Chinenye on Tue 03rd Nov, 2026 - tori.ng
The Nigerian Senate has stopped discussion on a new farming bill because some senators said they had not received copies to read.
(Cocoa pods on trees. Photo by Channel Tv)
A new bill has been made to improve agriculture in Nigeria ran into trouble on the Senate floor.
The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, aims to improve food security, farm productivity, irrigation, farm financing, rural development and farming that can cope with climate change.
Senators complained that printed copies had not been handed out, so they could not properly study it before debating. Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central questioned the bill and asked for a copy.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi of Kebbi North, a former agriculture lecturer, said agriculture is too broad to be handled without careful review, and asked for time to examine the contents.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the bills had been uploaded to the senators' platform, so there was no reason for the complaint.
Ningi, however, pointed to the Senate Standing Order, which says every senator should receive a printed copy of a proposed bill.
After the back and forth, Senate President Godswill Akpabio suggested that the bill be put aside for now.
The chamber agreed unanimously.