The House of Reps is not the Senate. Know the difference

Many of you often say “Senate” when you mean “National Assembly,” but in truth, the National Assembly has two arms:

• The House of Representatives and;
  The Senate.
• They are not the same thing.

The House of Representatives is made up of 360 members elected from across the federal constituencies in Nigeria. They are called “Honourable Members.” Their job is to represent the people directly and make laws on their behalf.

The Senate, on the other hand, has just 109 members 3 from each of the 36 states and 1 from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They are called “Distinguished Senators.” Their job is not only to make laws but also to play an oversight role, especially in confirming appointments like Ministers, Judges, Ambassadors, and even the heads of government agencies.

Think of it this way:

• The House of Representatives = the voice of the constituencies (people).
• The Senate = the voice of the states and a check on top government appointments.

Together, both houses form what we call the National Assembly. So, when you hear that the “National Assembly passed a bill,” it means both the House of Representatives and the Senate considered and approved it.

Don’t confuse them. The House of Representatives is not the Senate, and the Senate is not the House of Representatives. They are two different chambers, with different sizes and distinct powers, but both make up the same National Assembly.