A Bill is not yet a Law

Many people hear on the news, “A bill has passed second reading” and they start saying “The law has changed!”

My people, calm down a bill is not yet law. Let me break it down simply.

In Nigeria, we have the National Assembly, and it is made up of two parts:

• The House of Representatives (the lower house)
• The Senate (the upper house)
  For a bill to become law, it must pass through BOTH houses, not just one.

Here are the steps:

• First Reading – The bill is introduced. No debate yet, just a formal presentation.
• Second Reading – The lawmakers now debate the principles of the bill (why it is needed, what problem it solves). If it survives this stage, it is sent to a committee for detailed work.
• Committee Stage – The committee studies it closely, clause by clause, may invite experts, and make changes.
• Third Reading – The final version is read and voted on.

If it passes in the House of Reps, it is then sent to the Senate, where the same three readings happen all over again. If it starts in the Senate, it must also go to the House of Reps.

Only when both houses agree on the same version does the bill move to the President, who then signs it (Presidential Assent) before it officially becomes law.

So don’t be confused hearing that a bill has “passed first reading” or even “third reading” in one house does not make it law. Until it survives both chambers and gets “Presidential assent”, it remains just a proposal.

Knowledge is power. Don’t let headlines mislead you.