A mild drama played out at the Senate on Tuesday when Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, strongly opposed a bill seeking to establish an agency for Training and Nigerian Development.
The former Edo State governor and ex-Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) president expressed disapproval of the proposed legislation during plenary, questioning why lawmakers were trying to create laws for what he described as “every minor issue.”
In a viral video from the session, Oshiomhole could be seen addressing his colleagues in a passionate tone, saying the country does not need another law or agency for training and development when several government bodies already perform similar functions.
Speaking during the debate, Oshiomhole said, “What is the meaning of Training and Nigerian Development? We have established several institutions, and every organization has a training department. Why are we creating laws for everything—for Training and Nigerian Development? It doesn’t make sense to me.”
He continued, “With due respect, laws are laws, not motions. We cannot keep creating new agencies and laws just for the sake of it.”
His remarks drew murmurs across the chamber, as some senators nodded in agreement while others whispered their objections.
In response, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, acknowledged Oshiomhole’s contribution and said the Senate would take his concerns into account as discussions on the bill continued.
Oshiomhole’s comments highlight a growing debate among Nigerians about the proliferation of laws and government agencies in the country. Over the years, the National Assembly has passed numerous bills establishing commissions, authorities, and training institutes, many of which have overlapping responsibilities.
Critics argue that these laws and agencies often create bureaucratic duplication, waste public funds, and increase the cost of governance. For instance, Nigeria already has existing institutions responsible for national development and training, such as the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), and the National Productivity Centre (NPC).
There are also specialized training schools under many ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), including the Civil Service College, Nigerian Institute of Management, and Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON).
By questioning the need for another law to establish a new “Training and Development” body, Oshiomhole joins a growing number of public figures calling for the rationalization of government institutions.
Since becoming a senator in 2023, Adams Oshiomhole has earned a reputation for speaking bluntly on issues related to governance, accountability, and efficiency in government.
The former governor, known for his fiery style and direct manner, has repeatedly argued that Nigeria’s biggest problem is not the absence of laws but the failure to implement existing ones.
In his speech on the Senate floor, Oshiomhole stressed that Nigeria’s development challenges cannot be solved by constantly creating new institutions or legal frameworks. Instead, he said, the government should focus on strengthening existing agencies to perform their statutory functions effectively.
“Our problem is not lack of laws. We have too many of them. What we lack is enforcement and proper management,” Oshiomhole said. “Every time something goes wrong, our first response is to propose a new law or agency. That’s not the solution.”
Oshiomhole’s comments quickly gained traction online after the video clip was shared on social media, drawing praise from Nigerians who agreed with his position.
On X (formerly Twitter), many users said the senator had spoken the truth, accusing lawmakers of passing unnecessary laws that lead to more bureaucracy and waste of taxpayers’ money.
A user, @OluwaseunWrites, posted: “Oshiomhole is right. We don’t need a new law for every problem. Nigeria needs implementation and accountability, not more agencies.”
Another user, @AbujaCitizen, wrote: “We already have agencies doing training and development. This is why government is bloated. The Senate should learn to streamline functions.”
However, a few others disagreed, saying new laws can sometimes help to address specific gaps in policy and administration. They argued that a well-designed Training and Development Act could harmonize capacity-building efforts across the country and improve public sector performance.
Oshiomhole’s opposition to the bill aligns with the broader debate over cost-cutting and efficiency in government. The federal government under President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly emphasized the need to reduce duplication of roles and merge overlapping agencies.
In 2024, the government revisited the Oronsaye Report — a landmark public sector reform document first submitted in 2012, which recommended merging or scrapping over 100 government parastatals and agencies to reduce waste and improve coordination.
In reaction to Oshiomhole’s remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, acknowledged that the concerns raised were valid and would be considered during further deliberations on the bill.