Buhari Signs Five Bills Passed by the 8th National Assembly
President Muhammadu Buhari has signed five bills passed by the 8th National Assembly into law as part of efforts to strengthen governance and regulation in key sectors.
Yakubu, who announced the development at a news conference in Abuja, said the newly signed laws were aimed at improving administration and promoting good governance in the country.
The laws are the Obafemi Awolowo University Transitional Amendment Act, the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi Amendment Act, the University of Maiduguri Amendment Act, the National Fertiliser Quality Control Act and the Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology Establishment Act.
According to Yakubu, the amended university laws specify minimum qualifications for chairmen of the governing councils of the affected institutions.
He said anyone appointed as chairman of a university governing council must possess at least a university degree or its equivalent and be physically capable of effectively performing the responsibilities of the office.
The laws also contain provisions relating to the management and use of intellectual property within the universities.
Yakubu added that the amended Acts require any staff member or student intending to institute legal action against a university to give the institution one month’s notice before commencing proceedings.
Speaking on the National Fertiliser Quality Control Act, he said the legislation was designed to protect farmers and improve standards within Nigeria’s fertiliser industry.
The law is expected to address problems including inadequate nutrient content in fertiliser products, improper branding, inaccurate weight and other practices capable of affecting farmers and agricultural productivity.
The Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology Establishment Act also provides a legal framework for the regulation and development of food science and technology practice in Nigeria.
The signing of the five bills completed the legislative process for the measures passed by the 8th National Assembly before the end of its tenure.
