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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform agenda as lawmakers commenced a public hearing on 13 commerce-related bills aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s business environment, expanding trade opportunities and promoting private sector growth.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, made the commitment while declaring open the public hearing organised by the House Committee on Commerce on Monday in Abuja.

He described commerce as one of the strongest pillars of Nigeria’s economy, noting that it drives investment, stimulates production, creates jobs, encourages innovation and boosts consumer confidence.

According to the Speaker, the ongoing legislative exercise is designed to ensure that Nigeria’s commercial laws keep pace with technological advancements, emerging economic realities and global best practices.

He said: “As Nigeria pursues economic diversification and greater competitiveness, we must ensure that our commercial laws are responsive to emerging realities, technological advancement and international best practices.

“This hearing exemplifies the enduring commitment of the House of Representatives to inclusive, transparent and participatory lawmaking. We firmly believe that legislation is strongest when it does not depend on the wisdom of legislators alone, but incorporates the practical experience, expertise and perspectives of the people it is designed to serve. Public hearings therefore remain one of the most valuable instruments through which we deepen democracy and ensure that our laws truly reflect the needs and aspirations of Nigerians”.

Speaker Abbas explained that the objective of the hearing was to subject the proposed legislation to thorough public examination, receive input from stakeholders and ensure that the final laws promote enterprise, protect legitimate businesses, encourage fair competition and support sustainable economic growth.

“In carrying out this important responsibility, the Committee is expected to carefully examine the policy objectives of each Bill, assess their likely impact on businesses, investors and consumers, receive memoranda and oral presentations from stakeholders, and recommend only those provisions that will strengthen Nigeria’s commercial environment and improve our competitiveness as an investment destination. These responsibilities demand diligence, fairness, objectivity and an unwavering commitment to the national interest.

“This exercise aligns closely with the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, which places a premium on economic growth, institutional reform, good governance and private sector development. Since our inauguration, we have remained committed to enacting laws that improve the ease of doing business, support entrepreneurship, remove unnecessary regulatory barriers, attract investment and create opportunities for our people.

“It also reinforces our unwavering commitment to supporting the economic reform programme of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The Renewed Hope Agenda envisions a stronger, more productive and globally competitive Nigerian economy. As the People’s House, we shall continue to provide the legislative framework and oversight necessary to translate that vision into measurable progress for businesses, investors and ordinary Nigerians,” he added.

The Speaker urged participants to approach the assignment with patriotism and place national interest above personal or institutional considerations.

“Let our contributions be guided by facts, informed by experience and inspired by our collective desire to build a stronger economy. Let us rise above sectional, institutional or personal interests and focus instead on what is best for our nation.

“It is actually through engagements like this that we strengthen our democratic institutions, build public confidence in the legislative process and lay the foundation for a more dynamic, competitive and prosperous Nigerian economy,” Abbas said.

Also speaking, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, commended the House for initiating a public hearing on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Domestication Bill, describing it as a critical step towards Nigeria’s economic transformation.

The Minister said the agreement offers Nigeria enormous opportunities to expand trade, attract investment, strengthen regional value chains and create jobs.

“The AfCFTA is critical to Nigeria’s trade, investment, industrialization and economic transformation agenda.

“The AfCFTA is the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries. It provides access to a continental market of over 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP exceeding US$3 trillion. For Nigeria, it presents a unique opportunity for Nigerian businesses to expand into new markets, attract investment, create jobs and strengthen regional value chains.

“Since ratifying the Agreement in 2020, Nigeria has made significant progress in its implementation. We have established the institutional framework for coordination through the Central Coordination Committee and the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, developed a National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy, and submitted our tariff concessions and services commitments under Trade in Goods and Services respectively,” Oduwole said.

The minister, who currently serves as Chairperson of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers, stressed that successful implementation of the continental trade agreement requires a solid legal framework.

“As the current Chairperson of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers, I recognise the fact that effective continental implementation of the AfCFTA requires more than policy and administrative action.

“It requires a clear and comprehensive domestic legal framework. At the recent meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers responsible for Industry and Trade (ECOMOTI) held in June 2026, the Council underscored this point,” she said.

She described the proposed AfCFTA Domestication Bill as both timely and strategic.

“The Bill is not merely about implementing an international treaty. It is about positioning Nigeria to fully harness the opportunities of continental trade while safeguarding our national interests. It provides the legal basis for coordinated implementation across government institutions, promotes transparency and predictability for investors and businesses, and strengthens Nigeria’s capacity to meet its obligations while effectively enforcing its rights under the Agreement.

“Importantly, this legislation aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, by promoting economic diversification, industrial growth, export expansion, investment promotion and job creation. It is an important step towards building a more competitive and resilient Nigerian economy,” she added.

Earlier, Chairman House Committee on Commerce, Rep. Ahmed Munir, said the hearing represented one of the most important stages of the legislative process.

He explained that the 13 bills before the committee are aimed at modernising Nigeria’s commercial laws, strengthening professional standards and positioning the country for sustainable economic growth.

“Today, we gather to deliberate on thirteen (13) key legislative proposals designed to modernize Nigeria’s commercial framework, strengthen professional standards, and position our economy for sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving global market.

“The bills before us today touch on fundamental sectors of our national economy,” he said.

Rep. Munir explained that the bills cover three broad areas, including expanding global trade and protecting local assets through the AfCFTA Implementation Bill and amendments to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council Act; modernising commerce through reforms to digital economy legislation, the Sale of Goods Act and the Price Control Act; and strengthening professional institutions through the establishment and regulation of several chartered professional bodies.

According to him, the overall objective of the 10th House was to ensure that legislation promotes economic growth rather than creating obstacles for businesses.

“The goal in the 10th House of Representatives is to ensure that laws actively foster economic expansion rather than obstruct it.

“The success of this legislative exercise depends heavily on your candid, expert feedback. I urge all stakeholders, be it governmental, industrial, and civil society, to actively participate, offer constructive critiques, and provide data-driven insights to help us refine these bills into robust legal instruments,” Munir said.

Stakeholders drawn from government agencies, professional bodies, private sector organisations and civil society groups also made presentations during the hearing, offering recommendations aimed at strengthening the proposed legislation before their passage by the National Assembly.