Reps Set Out To Strengthen Oversight Of Global Agreements

The House of Representatives has launched a comprehensive national review of all bilateral and multilateral treaties, protocols, agreements and foreign-funded contracts entered into by the federal government.

The review is aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, strengthening compliance with the law, improving transparency and shielding the country from risky financial obligations or poorly negotiated international commitments.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, the Chairman Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements, Rabiu Yusuf, lamented that Nigeria has, over the years, signed numerous treaties and agreements without adequate oversight, domestication, or monitoring.

He noted that some of the agreements allegedly contain hidden obligations, sovereignty waivers, unfavourable arbitration clauses, and financial risks that are largely unknown to Nigerians.

According to him, several foreign-funded infrastructure contracts, particularly those involving foreign firms, require deeper examination to determine value for money, loan exposure, local content compliance, contract performance, as well as environmental and labour standards.

Yusuf further disclosed plans to recommend a national framework for treaty oversight and digital tracking to prevent future lapses.

He stressed that treaties have direct implications for citizens, affecting job creation, trade, taxation, infrastructure, and foreign investment, warning that poorly negotiated agreements could weaken the economy, increase debt, and threaten strategic national assets.

The Lawmaker said the committee’s work would help ensure that Nigerians benefit from international partnerships rather than suffer from them, emphasising that the ultimate goal is to ensure Nigeria never signs agreements it cannot defend.

“Our mandate is clear: to examine all bilateral and multilateral treaties, protocols, agreements, and foreign-funded contracts Nigeria has entered into and determine whether they protect or endanger the national interest.

“As part of the exercise, formal requests for documents will be sent to 53 stakeholders, including federal ministries and agencies, regulators, state governments, Chinese firms, foreign contractors, development partners and financial institutions.

Lawmakers said a nationwide public awareness campaign, featuring newspaper notices and a televised announcement, has been launched to inform Nigerians about the review and its objectives.

The committee has also appointed technical and strategic consultants to conduct legal, financial and forensic analyses of the agreements.

Public hearings, interrogative sessions and verification visits to major project sites are scheduled to begin early next year.

The committee’s final report, expected by May 2026, will include legislative recommendations and proposals to reform Nigeria’s treaty governance framework.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji