Agricultural revolution bill scales second reading in Senate

File Photo: Nigerian Senate

The Senate on Wednesday passed the Agricultural Revolution Bill, 2026, sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, for second reading, days after stepping it down over concerns about its drafting and circulation.

The bill, SB. 1082, seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework for transforming and modernising Nigeria’s agricultural sector through improved food security, mechanisation, irrigation, agricultural financing, agro-industrialisation and climate-resilient farming.

The bill was considered during plenary presided over by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Leading the debate, Barau said the proposed legislation was designed to review the agricultural sector, introduce necessary reforms and set the country on the path to an agricultural revolution.

Recalling Nigeria’s glorious days in agriculture, he attributed the sector’s decline to the collapse of production systems that once supplied industries with essential raw materials.

He described the present administration as reform-oriented but stressed that national development should not be left to the President alone, saying the legislature and other stakeholders had a responsibility to complement the government’s efforts.

“This is a reforming government. The government is making changes and introducing reforms across different sectors. I acknowledge that the President is doing well in pursuing reforms in various aspects of our national life.

“However, we cannot leave everything to the President alone. Government is a collaborative undertaking, and we all have a responsibility to complement what the President is doing.

“That is why I have introduced this bill. A lot of thought and effort have gone into its preparation. The objective is to examine the agricultural sector, introduce the necessary changes and bring about a revolution in the sector.

“What does that mean? It means bringing about a fundamental and far-reaching transformation in the way we approach agriculture. We need to change the existing trajectory. As we proceed with consideration of this bill, I expect it to provoke conversations and debate. People will bring forward their views and expertise,” he said.

Seconding the bill, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, said its passage would provide the necessary legal framework to revolutionise agriculture and diversify the nation’s economy.

Other lawmakers who supported the bill included Senators Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa North-West), Anthony Okorie Ani (Ebonyi South), a professor of Agricultural Extension, and Adeniyi Adegbonmire Ayodele (Ondo Central).

They commended Barau for the initiative, saying the proposed legislation addressed critical areas of the agricultural sector.

The bill had suffered a setback on Tuesday when the Senate stepped it down following concerns about its drafting, scope and the failure to circulate printed copies to lawmakers.

During the earlier consideration, some senators questioned whether the proposed legislation was sufficiently developed and complied with the Senate’s rules on the circulation of bills.

However, following its consideration on Wednesday, Akpabio referred it to the Senate Committees on Agricultural Production Services and Rural Development, and Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, for further legislative scrutiny.

He gave the committees four weeks to report back to the Senate.