Senate passes bills to reform procurement, strengthen wildlife conservation

The senate has passed four key bills aimed at reforming procurement, wildlife conservation and professional standards across critical sectors.

The bills are the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB. 346) and the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2025 (HB. 1085).

Others are the Chartered Institute of Health Care Management of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB. 1260) and the Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB. 629).

The bills, transmitted from the house of representatives, were presented by Opeyemi Bamidele, senate leader and senator representing Ekiti central.

Bamidele led the debate on the bills during plenary on Tuesday and moved the motion for concurrence.

The motion was seconded by Osita Ngwu, senate minority whip and senator representing Enugu west.

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the existing 2007 Act to align Nigeria’s procurement standards with global best practices.

The Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill seeks to overhaul Nigeria’s wildlife protection framework by replacing the outdated 1985 Endangered Species Act.

Among its key provisions are stricter penalties for wildlife-related crimes, including the illegal trafficking of endangered species such as pangolin scales and ivory.

It also provides for enhanced enforcement by granting investigators increased authority to probe financial transactions and conduct intelligence-led operations.

The bill further empowers judges to expedite wildlife crime cases and facilitate the recovery of assets obtained through illegal trade.

It aligns Nigeria’s legislation with international treaties, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Lawmakers described the bill as a transformative step that could strengthen Nigeria’s fight against organised wildlife trafficking.

The Chartered Institute of Health Care Management of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill and the Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill both seek to establish professional bodies to enhance regulation and capacity development in their respective sectors.