Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has emphasized the need for greater architectural collaborations to enhance Nigeria’s international standing.

Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of the National Institute of Architects (NIA) in her Abuja office, the senator highlighted the role of digital innovation in architecture, particularly in the tourism sector. She pledged to leverage her position to facilitate partnerships between Nigerian architects and global experts to advance the industry.

In a statement on Friday, the senator’s Chief Press Secretary, Israel Arogbonlo, quoted her as saying:
“Nigerian architects have consistently demonstrated brilliance by blending indigenous designs with modern innovations. However, to secure our place in the global architectural landscape, we must strategically integrate our heritage, expertise, and international collaborations.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan further disclosed plans to strengthen ties between Nigeria and leading global architectural institutions. She assured that her committee would advocate for bilateral agreements, enabling Nigerian architects to participate in international projects, competitions, and architectural exhibitions.

“Through policy advocacy, we will ensure our architects gain international exposure and bring home best practices that will elevate our design standards,” she stated.

In response, NIA President, Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi, sought legislative support for major cultural projects, including the development of a Capital Theatre, National Gallery of Arts, National War Museum, and a National Museum. She emphasized that these initiatives would enrich Abuja’s cultural landscape, elevate Nigeria’s global appeal, and create economic opportunities.

Adeniyi also highlighted the urgent need to update Nigeria’s Building Codes, stressing that legislative intervention was necessary to ensure safety, sustainability, and alignment with international best practices.

The discussions extended to the digital transformation of architecture, with the NIA advocating for international exchange programs and the nationwide implementation of digital permitting systems to modernize architectural approvals.

Another key issue raised was accessibility in architectural design. The NIA is collaborating with TAF Africa to establish accessibility standards for public buildings in line with the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act of 2018. Adeniyi also revealed ongoing partnerships with international organizations to introduce training on global accessibility standards.

She commended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s dedication to the sector, urging her to continue advocating for architecture as a vital component of national development.

With strong policy support, Nigerian architects have the potential to compete globally, drive innovation, and create a built environment that seamlessly integrates heritage with modernity. As efforts intensify to reposition Nigeria’s architectural sector, these partnerships are expected to enhance professional expertise, attract foreign investment, and pave the way for a more sustainable future in the industry.

***Lawmakers push for fair infrastructure allocation, urge urgent road repairs nationwide

The Nigerian Senate has taken a bold step in addressing regional infrastructure disparity, calling on President Bola Tinubu to include the Northeast in the Renewed Hope Super Highway Project.
Lawmakers argued that despite the ₦4.2 trillion road infrastructure plan, the region remains largely overlooked, with only two projects allocated to it.

Leading the charge, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) highlighted the glaring disparity in the allocation of road projects across geopolitical zones.
He stated that though it is commendable that President Tinubu’s administration approved ₦4.2 trillion for nationwide road infrastructure, the Northeast had been largely overlooked in the Renewed Hope Super Highway Project.

Going further, he recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), in its February 3rd meeting, approved funding for various highway projects aimed at addressing the country’s poor road network and boosting economic development.
A breakdown of the project list, he said, revealed that the Northeast was allocated only two projects which are Yola – Fufore – Gurin Road (Adamawa State) – ₦11.81 billion and Karim Lamido Road (Taraba State) – ₦7.68 billion.

Senator Goje noted that aside from these two, several crucial road networks in the region remain in deplorable conditions including Bauchi – Gombe Road, Biu – Gombe Road, Potiskum – Gombe Road, Darazo – Gombe Road, Numan – Jalingo Road, Yola – Mubi Road, Yola – Michika – Madagali – Gwoza – Bama Road, Biu – Gombi – Mararaba Road and Biu – Damboa – Maiduguri Road.
Goje further noted that the Northeast is the only region without a direct connection to the Super Highway Project, despite its strategic role in national security and economic growth.
He urged the federal government to correct this oversight and prioritize road rehabilitation across the country.

In his remarks on the motion, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, decried the poor maintenance of road infrastructure across the country and called for a strategic roadmap on construction and maintenance of roads. He opined that no matter how many roads are constructed, without maintenance, they will eventually breakdown and join the multitude of bad ones already in existence.

“I believe strongly that if previous administrations in Nigeria had really done a serious roadmap on road construction and rehabilitation, we wouldn’t have had this problem.

“I think we should have a road map on how to maintain our roads and ensure their reconstruction.

“We’ll continue to have this kind of issues even if we declare a state of emergency on road rehabilitation and construction but there has to be a plan on maintenance.”

“Take for example,” he added, “the road linking Akwa Ibom State with Cross Rivers State was done in 1975 but with a provision that there should be an overlay in seven years, but 40 years after, that overlay was not done.”
Supporting the motion, Senator Sani Musa (Niger East) called for a nationwide emergency on road repairs, emphasizing that infrastructural neglect has hindered economic progress.

With growing pressure from the legislature, the question remains: Will Tinubu’s administration heed the call and finally bridge the Northeast’s infrastructure gap?

The Nigerian Senate, on Wednesday, amended critical sections of the bills establishing the Regional Development Commissions and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Trust Fund to address constitutional discrepancies related to their funding structures.

Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that the amendments were necessary to prevent violations of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that all revenues generated by the Federation be deposited into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The Senate made adjustments to Clauses 14 and 15 of the laws establishing the North-West, South-West, and South-East Development Commissions, as well as Clause 4(1) of the 2025 NYSC Trust Fund Establishment Bill.
These amendments ensure that the commissions and the proposed Trust Fund align with constitutional provisions on public finance.

The revisions were triggered by a motion titled “Re-committal of Bills to the Committee of the Whole”, presented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti).
Bamidele reminded the chamber that the bills had already passed both the Senate and House of Representatives and had been forwarded to the Clerk of the National Assembly for onward transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
However, upon closer scrutiny, lawmakers noticed that certain funding provisions conflicted with constitutional guidelines.

“The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and any legislation that contradicts it becomes null and void to the extent of its inconsistency,” Bamidele emphasized, referencing Section 1, Subsections (1) and (3) of the Constitution.
He noted that to uphold legislative integrity, the Senate invoked Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of its standing orders to rescind previous decisions and recommit the affected bills for proper review.

Following the amendments, Senate President Akpabio confirmed that all bills are now in full compliance with constitutional mandates.
“The concerns raised under Section 162 of the Constitution regarding the allocation and management of public funds have been adequately addressed,” he assured.

Akpabio praised the efforts of the Senate’s establishment committee and lawmakers for their swift action, citing their “dedication, patience, and patriotic zeal” in ensuring the bills were constitutionally sound. He announced that the corrected bills would be transmitted to President Tinubu for final approval.

These amendments underscore the Senate’s commitment to upholding the rule of law while promoting regional development and strengthening the NYSC’s operational framework.