Nigerian Senate Adopts Harmonized Bill to Establish Nigeria Peace Corps

The Senate in plenary today adopted the Report of the Conference Committee, which was set up by both Chambers to harmonize the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Peace Corps.

The Conference Committee, formed earlier in the year, completed its assignment on Wednesday last week. The report was laid and adopted by the House of Representatives on Thursday, 30th March 2023.

Harmonized Report and Key Highlights

The harmonized report adopted by the Senate followed the version passed by the House of Representatives. A key highlight relates to Clause 38 (1):

• The Senate’s version sought the dissolution of the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria and the National Unity and Peace Corps.
• The House of Representatives’ version recommends only the dissolution of the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria to transform it into the Nigerian Peace Corps upon presidential assent.

The report clarifies that for a Bill to become an Act of Parliament in Nigeria, it must pass through both Chambers of the National Assembly. The National Unity and Peace Corps Bill could not meet this requirement, unlike the Peace Corps of Nigeria Bill.

Opportunities Under the Bill

Clause 38 (8) provides a window for individuals, groups, associations, or bodies interested in joining the Corps to be absorbed, subject to mandatory basic training and orientation programs when the Bill is signed into law.

Committee Members

Senate Conference Committee

• Senator Kashim Shettima, Chairman
• Senator Abba Moro, Member
• Senator Betty Apiafi, Member
• Senator Oriolowo Adelere, Member
• Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Member
• Senator Seriake Dickson, Member

House Conference Committee

• Hon Babangida Ibrahim, Chairman
• Hon Tijani Kayode Ismail, Member
• Hon Chinedu Ogah, Member
• Hon Ibrahim Umar Potiskum, Member
• Hon Abdulmumini Are, Member
• Hon Legor Idegbo, Member

Background of the Peace Corps Bill

The Nigeria Peace Corps (NPC) Establishment Bill, passed in 2022, was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Ali Ndume and in the House by Chief Whip Rt Hon Mohammed Monguno (HB17). The Bill seeks to:

• Establish the Nigerian Peace Corps as a body for youth development and empowerment
• Provide gainful employment to youths
• Facilitate peace, volunteerism, community service, neighborhood watch, and nation-building

Part VIII of the Bill, when assented to by President Buhari, will give statutory backing to the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria.

Organizational Overview

Established over 24 years ago under the leadership of Dr Dickson Ameh Akoh, the Peace Corps of Nigeria is incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and recognized by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.

In recognition of its contributions to youth empowerment and peace-building:

• The United Nations accorded it Special Consultative Status in 2011
• The African Union accorded the same status in 2016

The organization maintains a structured network of offices in all 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), delivering socio-economic and community-focused programs nationwide.