Day Three of the National Assembly Open Week 2025, hosted by the House of Representatives, placed a strategic spotlight on citizen engagement in economic reforms and youth participation in governance, two critical pillars in advancing democratic development and promoting inclusive national progress.
The day commenced with an interactive dialogue on the economy and citizen participation, chaired by Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, CON, House Leader, and featured insightful contributions from Rep. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka (APC, Ogun), House Deputy Chief Whip, alongside other key stakeholders from the private sector and civil society. Deliberations underscored the importance of aligning fiscal policy with citizen welfare, institutional transparency, and robust private sector collaboration to foster sustainable development.
The second session, focused on Youth Participation in Politics and Governance, featured a dynamic exchange between legislators and youth representatives on the urgent need for greater inclusion of young people in policymaking and constitutional reforms.
Moderated by Rep. Martins Esin (APC, Akwa Ibom), Chairman, House Committee on Youth Development, the session began with a reflection on the historic establishment of two dedicated standing committees on youth affairs under the current House. He highlighted deliberate allocations in the 2025 national budget targeted at youth innovation and empowerment, and commended the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, for sponsoring transformative youth-focused legislation, including the “National Youth Skills and Welfare Fund Bill, and the Youth Development Commission Bill.”
Rep. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala (APC, Oyo), Chairman, House Committee on Youth in Parliament, urged Nigerian youth to fully engage in the ongoing constitution review process, describing it as a defining opportunity to shape their collective future. He reaffirmed the 10th House’s unwavering commitment to youth-led advocacy and responsive reform.
Also contributing, Rep. Cyril Godwin Hart (PDP, Rivers), Chairman, House Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation of the Legislative Agenda, shared his personal journey in public service. He encouraged young people to embrace leadership as a calling to serve with compassion, integrity, and purpose.
Capping the session, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR, delivered a keynote address, calling on young Nigerians to seize the political space as a platform for meaningful impact. He described youth participation not just as a right but a democratic imperative, and reaffirmed the resolve of the 10th House to institutionalise youth inclusion in all legislative and constitutional reforms. He emphasised the values of mentorship, purpose-driven leadership, and intergenerational collaboration in shaping Nigeria’s future.
Thursday’s session marked the grand finale of the National Assembly Open Week 2025, themed “Deepening Citizens’ Trust and Participation: Celebrating Our Journey as the People’s House.” The weeklong engagement showcased the House’s enduring commitment to open governance, legislative transparency, stakeholder engagement, and institutional accountability.
At the midterm of the 10th Assembly’s tenure, the Open Week served as a timely platform to reaffirm the identity of the House as the People’s House, rooted in service, guided by accountability, and responsive to the voice and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
It reflected the core values of the 10th Assembly: effectiveness, efficiency, commitment, accountability, accessibility, and responsiveness and reaffirmed the legislature’s resolve to uphold its constitutional mandate in partnership with the citizens it represents.
