||By Akanni Muhammad||

The legislative record of Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, representing Oyo South Senatorial District. Since his inauguration in 2023, Senator Alli has participated in the legislative process through bills, motions, petitions, and committee responsibilities, with several of his legislative initiatives reaching important stages of consideration.

KEY BILLS AND THEIR LEGISLATIVE STAGES 2023 — Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, SB. 89 Sponsored by Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli and introduced on 26 September 2023. The bill seeks to establish a modern statutory framework for the Chartered Governance Institute of Nigeria. National Assembly records identify Senator Alli as its sponsor. The bill subsequently progressed to further legislative consideration, including Second Reading, before being referred to the relevant committee for detailed consideration.

2023 — Federal Medical Centre, Igbo-Ora (Establishment) Bill Sponsored by Senator Alli to provide for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Igbo-Ora, Oyo State. The bill progressed through First Reading, Second Reading, Public Hearing and Third Reading, before being passed by the Senate in concurrence with the House of Representatives in October 2024.

This is an important distinction: the bill passed the National Assembly, but passage by the National Assembly is not the same as Presidential assent. Reports subsequently stated that the bill was awaiting Presidential assent. Therefore, it should not be described simply as an “Act” or as having “become law” unless and until Presidential assent is confirmed. The legislative progress nevertheless represents a significant step toward the proposed establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Igbo-Ora.

2023 — Chartered Institute of Auctioneers (Establishment) Bill, SB. 186 Sponsored by Senator Alli and introduced on 24 October 2023. The bill proceeded through Second Reading and Public Hearing, demonstrating continued legislative consideration of the proposed professional regulatory framework.

2024 — Pension Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, SB. 361 Sponsored by Senator Alli and introduced on 7 March 2024. The bill seeks amendments to the Pension Reform Act and forms part of his legislative engagement with issues concerning workers and retirement security.

2024 — National Centre for Citizenship and Leadership Training Act (Amendment) Bill initiated by Senator Alli in 2024. Available reporting at the time described the proposal as being in draft, and it should therefore not be presented as a bill that had passed the Senate or become law.

2025 — Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, SB. 864 Senator Alli’s legislative engagement has also extended to agriculture and research. The bill reached Second Reading and was considered within the framework of his responsibilities as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions.

MOTIONS, PETITIONS AND PUBLIC INTEREST ISSUES

Beyond bills, Senator Alli has participated in Senate proceedings on matters of public importance, including: The immortalisation of the late Taiwo Akinkunmi OFR, the designer of Nigeria’s national flag.

The issue of salary harmonisation across government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

A petition concerning 78 non-clinical workers at University College Hospital, Ibadan, over reported unpaid salaries.

The poor condition of roads and gully erosion, as a co-sponsor of the relevant motion.

These interventions demonstrate that legislative representation extends beyond bills to include motions, petitions, oversight and raising matters of public concern on the floor of the Senate.

COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Senator Alli has also carried significant committee responsibilities in the 10th National Assembly, including: Chairman, Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Chairman, Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff. These responsibilities place him in areas covering agriculture and research, electoral administration, customs and trade-related matters.

THREE YEARS, A DEVELOPING LEGISLATIVE RECORD

After three years in the Senate, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, PhD, has built a legislative profile covering law-making, constituency interests, public-interest interventions, committee work and parliamentary oversight. His record includes bills that have been sponsored, measures that have reached Second Reading, bills referred to committees, legislative proposals that have gone through public hearings, and the Federal Medical Centre, Igbo-Ora Bill, which passed the National Assembly.

The stages matter. A bill being sponsored is different from one that has passed Second Reading. A bill that has been referred to committee is different from one that has completed Third Reading and has been passed by the Senate. A bill passed by both chambers of the National Assembly is different from an Act that has received Presidential Assent.

This distinction makes the assessment of Senator Alli’s legislative record more credible and transparent.

THE BSA RECORD

Three years of service in the Red Chamber have given Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, PhD, a record that can be examined through the actual legislative process. From the proposed Federal Medical Centre in Igbo-Ora, to pension reform, professional regulatory legislation, agricultural research, workers’ concerns and other matters of public interest, his legislative activities have covered a broad range of issues.

For the people of Oyo South, the record is not simply about the number of bills associated with his name. It is also about the issues addressed, the legislative stages reached, the committee responsibilities undertaken and the interventions brought before the Senate.

Three years of legislative engagement, parliamentary interventions and committee responsibilities. A record that can be examined through the official legislative process. Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli has built a remarkable record in the Senate. As a first-time Senator, his legislative engagements and achievements over the past three years are commendable. Without a doubt, his experience, exposure, and understanding of governance will be valuable as he seeks to serve as the Governor of Oyo State.