By Mercy Aikoye
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has vowed to foster a stronger connection with the public, promising to prioritize openness and accountability in the House’s legislative work to further strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system.
Abbas noted that the House has been engaging with Nigerians and adjusting its course based on public feedback. He highlighted the importance of reflecting on the House’s journey since its inauguration in June 2023, when Nigeria faced significant economic and security challenges.
The Speaker emphasized that the Legislative Agenda was crafted through extensive consultations with stakeholders, including ministries, civil society, and development partners, to guide lawmaking, oversight, and representation.
The Legislative Agenda encompasses eight broad priority areas, including strengthening good governance, enhancing national security, revitalizing the economy, reforming laws, and promoting social development. Abbas highlighted the House’s key legislative achievements, including laws to modernize the power sector, establish a federal audit framework, and create agencies critical to effective governance. He also mentioned legislation to bolster security, advance social welfare, and promote public health.
Abbas emphasized the House’s commitment to exercising its constitutional role in conducting oversight. He noted that the House has engaged in robust oversight of the executive branch, holding ministries, departments, and agencies accountable to foster accountability and transparency in governance. The Speaker highlighted the House’s efforts in recovering billions of Naira for the government through the Public Accounts Committee.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, commended the President Bola Tinubu-led administration for its policy wins, including unified exchange-rate windows and the passage of tax-reform laws. He urged participants to use the dialogue to refine and co-create the legislative toolkit that will carry Nigeria forward. Kalu emphasized the importance of bold legislation in transforming the nation.
The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, described the event as a bold step toward consolidating legislative effectiveness, transparency, and cooperation. He emphasized the critical role of the legislature in driving national transformation and protecting the people’s trust. Ogundoyin noted that security remains a paramount concern for every Nigerian and called for proactive, intelligence-driven security measures.
Ogundoyin emphasized the need to overhaul the security architecture for greater professionalism, efficiency, and better service delivery. He suggested recruiting and training more personnel, providing modern equipment, and adopting technology-driven approaches to combat emerging security threats. He also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of youth unemployment and economic despair.
The Chairman called for collaboration between the National Assembly and state legislatures on key issues, including agricultural development, digital economy and innovation, small and medium-scale enterprises, as well as education and healthcare. He emphasized the need to create meaningful economic opportunities to deter youth from engaging in criminal activities.
The event highlighted the importance of legislative engagement and collaboration in driving national development and addressing the needs of Nigerians. The Speaker and other lawmakers emphasized their commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy and promoting the welfare of the people.
