President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to commence legislative consideration of two executive bills seeking major reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system and the administration of public senior secondary education.
The requests were conveyed 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, proposing its replacement with a new Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026, to address emerging legal, procedural and institutional challenges.
Tinubu said the existing law had become inadequate in meeting the evolving demands of the country’s criminal justice system, noting that the proposed legislation would improve the administration of criminal justice in the Federal Capital Territory and other federal courts.
He explained that the bill would also establish a more effective Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council to strengthen implementation and oversight of the law.
According to the President, the proposed Act is designed to promote efficient management of criminal justice institutions, accelerate the dispensation of justice, strengthen public protection against crime, and safeguard the rights of suspects, defendants and victims.
Tinubu added that the legislation would ensure greater compliance by courts, law enforcement agencies and other institutions involved in the administration of criminal justice.
He attributed the decision to repeal and re-enact the law to persistent shortcomings in the current legal framework, including delays in criminal investigations and prosecutions, inadequate use of technology in criminal proceedings, weak coordination among justice sector institutions, poor case management systems and ineffective monitoring of compliance with the Act.
The President noted that the proposed legislation had been reviewed by experienced legal practitioners and experts in criminal law, criminal procedure and legislative drafting. He added that it incorporates recent judicial decisions, technological innovations and international best practices in criminal justice administration.
Following the presentation of the bill, the Senate referred it to its Committee on Rules and Business, with a directive to report back within four weeks.
In a separate communication, Tinubu also transmitted the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to the Senate for consideration.
The President said the amendment seeks to strengthen the governance and administration of public senior secondary education across the country.
He disclosed that the Federal Executive Council approved the proposed amendment at its meeting of April 30, 2026, after which it was reviewed and finalised by the Federal Ministry of Justice to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions and legislative drafting standards.
Tinubu said the proposed legislation underscores his administration’s commitment to strengthening educational institutions and improving service delivery in the education sector.
He urged lawmakers to give the bill expedited 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 stated in his letter.
The Senate subsequently referred the education amendment bill to the Committee on Rules and Business with a mandate to report back within one week.
