The opening day of National Assembly Open Week 2026 demonstrated the 10th House of Representatives’ commitment to open governance through the unveiling of its Three-Year Legislative Scorecard (2023–2026) and high-level engagements on legislative oversight and democratic accountability.
Held under the theme, “Three Years of the 10th Assembly: Advancing Transparency, Inclusion and Reform,”the opening ceremony commenced with welcome remarks by the House Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, CON, who underscored the importance of openness, institutional reform and citizen engagement in strengthening democratic governance.
The ceremony featured goodwill messages from Dr. Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), speaking on behalf of civil society organisations; Barr. Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly; Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba, Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund; representatives of the British High Commission in Nigeria,, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, traditional and religious institutions, and the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS.
ormer lawmakers and presiding officers of the House, represented by Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, former Speaker of the 5th House of Representatives; and the Presidency, represented by Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, CFR, Chief of Staff to the President. Collectively, they commended the National Assembly’s commitment to transparency, institutional strengthening and participatory democracy.
The Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi, presented an overview of the Third-Year Legislative Scorecard, highlighting the House’s performance across legislation, oversight, representation and institutional reforms. More than a catalogue of legislative activities, the Scorecard provides an institutional account of the House’s performance, reflecting its commitment to measurable outcomes, transparency and continuous improvement.
Delivering the keynote address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, articulated the principles underpinning the Open Parliament initiative, affirming transparency, public participation and accountability as defining features of the 10th House and essential pillars of democratic governance.
The President of the Senate, His Excellency Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, delivered special remarks and formally declared NASS Open Week 2026 open before joining the Speaker and the leadership of the House to unveil the Third-Year Legislative Scorecard, underscoring the National Assembly’s shared commitment to openness, accountability and institutional excellence. The opening ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by the House Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. Fredrick Agbedi.
