– Everything in the Senate is guided by a rulebook most Nigerians have never read?
By Lanre Ladipo
THIS SENATE RULE BOOK?
MANY NIGERIANS HAVE NEVER READ IT
Did you know that everything in the Senate is guided by a rulebook most Nigerians have never read?
That’s exactly what we’re about to uncover.
It’s called the Standing Orders of the Senate — the official rulebook that sets the do’s and don’ts of how the Red Chamber works.
From who can speak and for how long, to what language is acceptable, this rulebook keeps debates orderly and respectful.
✅ Orderly Debates
The Standing Orders explain how Senators are recognized to speak during debates. This ensures discussions flow in sequence, instead of several Senators rising at once.
✅ Law-Making Process
It lays out, step by step, how a bill becomes law:
First Reading
Committee Stage
Final Passage
Transmission to the other chamber
Presidential Assent
✅ Committee Work
Most of the Senate’s detailed work happens in committees. The Standing Orders spell out:
How committees are formed
How they invite witnesses
How they report back to the full Senate
✅ Quorum
The rulebook also defines what makes a sitting valid.
That’s where quorum comes in — the minimum number of Senators required to conduct business.
👉 In Nigeria, the quorum is 37 out of 109.
If quorum isn’t met, the Senate cannot pass motions or make decisions.
✅ Petitions from Citizens
The Standing Orders also explain how petitions are received and handled, giving citizens a formal route to bring issues before the Senate.
✅ Amendments
And remember, the Standing Orders aren’t fixed. The Senate can amend them — and when it does, those changes shape how the chamber will operate for years to come.
In short, the Standing Orders keep the Senate fair, orderly, and effective.
They are the silent guide behind every law and every decision in Nigeria’s Upper Chamber.
Know Your Senate.
HIS EXCELLENCY
SENATOR GODSWILL AKPABIO, GCON
President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Presented by Lanre Ladipo
Special Assistant on New Media and Communications to the Senate President
Compiled & Broadcast by YAYI Teachers Media
