President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to begin legislative consideration of two major executive bills aimed at reforming Nigeria’s criminal justice system and strengthening the administration of public senior secondary education.
The requests were contained in separate letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during Thursday’s plenary session.
In the first communication, the President sought the repeal of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and its replacement with a new Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026.
Tinubu said the current legislation had become inadequate to address emerging legal, procedural and institutional challenges confronting the country’s criminal justice system.
According to the President, the proposed legislation is intended to improve the administration of criminal justice in the Federal Capital Territory and other federal courts while establishing a more effective Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council to strengthen implementation of the law.
He explained that the new Act would promote efficient management of criminal justice institutions, accelerate the dispensation of justice, strengthen the protection of society from crime, and safeguard the rights of suspects, defendants and victims.
The President added that the bill would also ensure that courts, law enforcement agencies and all institutions involved in the administration of criminal justice fully comply with the provisions of the law.
Tinubu attributed the proposed repeal and re-enactment of the legislation to persistent shortcomings identified in the existing legal framework.
He listed the challenges as delays in criminal investigations and prosecutions, inadequate deployment of technology in criminal proceedings, weak coordination among criminal justice institutions, poor case management systems and ineffective monitoring of compliance with the Act.
The President further disclosed that the proposed legislation had been reviewed by experienced law officers specialising in criminal law, criminal procedure and legislative drafting. He noted that it incorporates recent judicial pronouncements, technological innovations and international best practices in criminal justice administration.
He also stated that the bill strengthens the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council by introducing additional measures to ensure effective implementation of the law by relevant institutions.
Following the presentation of the communication, the Senate referred the bill to its Committee on Rules and Business, directing the panel to report back within four weeks.
In a separate letter, Tinubu transmitted the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to the Senate for consideration.
The President said the proposed amendment seeks to strengthen the administration and governance of public senior secondary education across the country.
He disclosed that the Federal Executive Council approved the amendment bill at its meeting of 30 April 2026 before it was vetted and finalised by the Federal Ministry of Justice to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions and legislative drafting standards.
According to Tinubu, the proposed legislation reflects his administration’s commitment to strengthening educational institutions in the national interest.
He appealed to lawmakers to give the bill speedy consideration and passage.
“While it is my hope that the senate will consider the bill and grant it expeditious passage, please, accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards,” the president wrote.
The Senate subsequently referred the education amendment bill to its Committee on Rules and Business with a directive to report back within one week.
