House Committee on Commerce
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| Abbreviation | HCC |
|---|---|
| Type | Standing Committee |
| Legal status | Active |
| Headquarters | National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria |
| Location |
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Official language | English |
Chairman | Ahmed Munir Lere |
Deputy Chairman | James Shaibu Barka |
Parent organization | House of Representatives (Nigeria) |
| Website | www |
The House Committee on Commerce is a standing committee of the House of Representatives in the National Assembly of Nigeria. It is tasked with legislative oversight of the nation's commerce and industry sectors, including domestic trade, international trade agreements, consumer protection, and industrial development.[1]
Constitutional mandate
[edit]The committee derives its authority from Sections 4 and 62 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which empower the National Assembly to legislate on matters within the Exclusive Legislative List and to create standing or ad hoc committees for effective legislative function. Commerce, trade, and industrial policy fall within the purview of the National Assembly's legislative competence.[2]
Role within Nigeria’s governance framework
[edit]The House Committee on Commerce functions at the intersection of legislative oversight, policy review, and institutional accountability. Its work is crucial to Nigeria's macroeconomic stability and diversification agenda. The committee collaborates with various stakeholders, including the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, sub-national governments, civil society organizations, and chambers of commerce, to ensure that trade-related policies align with national interests.[1]
Policy impact and institutional functions
[edit]The committee has historically played a pivotal role in reviewing Nigeria's implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), interfacing with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). It conducts public hearings on bills like the Competition and Consumer Protection Act and collaborates with stakeholders such as NACCIMA and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to evaluate Nigeria's trade readiness and export competitiveness.[1][3]
Membership and leadership
[edit]The committee is composed of members drawn from Nigeria's 360 federal constituencies, assigned proportionally by the House leadership in accordance with political party representation. It is led by a chairman and deputy chairman appointed by the Speaker. As of 2025:
- Chairman: Hon. Ahmed Munir Lere (Kaduna State)
- Deputy Chairman: Hon. James Shaibu Barka (Adamawa State)[4]
Oversight responsibilities
[edit]Key agencies under the purview of the House Committee on Commerce include:
- Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
- Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
- Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC)
- Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
- Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA)
- Consumer Protection Council
- Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)
The committee conducts oversight visits, budget reviews, public policy evaluations, and stakeholder consultations to ensure these bodies operate efficiently and transparently.[3][5]
Legislative record and hearings
[edit]The committee regularly reviews key bills that impact Nigeria's industrialization and private sector development. These include:
- The Industrial Development (Incentives) Bill
- Export Promotion (Amendment) Bill
- Anti-Dumping and Competition Protection Bill
- Standards and Quality Assurance Policy Framework
Public hearings are often held to gather input from business groups, consumers, international partners, and government officials.[1][6]
Challenges and strategic importance
[edit]Despite its importance, the committee faces challenges such as overlapping mandates with other economic and industry committees, political influence and lobbying from private interests, and institutional delays in policy implementation. Nonetheless, the House Committee on Commerce remains a cornerstone in Nigeria's journey toward economic diversification, especially in the post-oil era.[2]
Comparative perspective
[edit]Similar to the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce or the UK Business and Trade Committee, Nigeria's Commerce Committee plays a critical role in shaping commercial policy and legislative response to economic shifts. Its work has increasingly gained international attention as Nigeria positions itself as a hub for West African trade under the AfCFTA framework.[1]
See also
[edit]- National Assembly (Nigeria)
- Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
- House Committee on Industry
- African Continental Free Trade Area
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Admin (24 April 2024). "House of Representatives Committee on Commerce Collaborates with NACCIMA in Stakeholder Forum". NACCIMA. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Understanding Legislative Committees in the Nigerian Legislature". Plural Policy. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ a b "House of Representatives Committee Engages with FRC". Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "LEADERSHIP OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE 10th ASSEMBLY". National Assembly. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "House Committee on Commerce Visits CAC". Corporate Affairs Commission. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ "Committee Reports". Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre. Retrieved 26 May 2025.