The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has declared that the 10th Assembly has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to its legislative responsibilities since it came into office nearly two years ago.
Speaking at a policy dialogue in Abuja on Monday, organized by his office in partnership with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, and the UK International Development, the Speaker reflected on the House’s progress and challenges. The forum brought together government representatives from both federal and state levels, members of the diplomatic corps, and private sector stakeholders.
Dr. Abbas highlighted that the current House has recorded a high number of bills and legislative proposals within its first two years—surpassing what previous assemblies achieved at a similar stage. More significantly, he said, several of these bills have been signed into law, reflecting the House’s focus on impactful reforms.
“These efforts have produced measurable outcomes. We crafted an ambitious legislative framework to respond to the country’s most pressing issues, and today we can point to meaningful progress,” he said.
The dialogue, he noted, was part of the House’s ongoing effort to stay transparent and responsive to citizens, ahead of the upcoming Open NASS Week—an event aimed at showcasing the legislature’s performance at the midpoint of its term.
Dr. Abbas reminded the audience that when the 10th Assembly was inaugurated in June 2023, the country faced considerable economic and security concerns. He referenced the public unrest that followed the removal of fuel subsidies and acknowledged the widespread disillusionment with democratic institutions.
He said the House responded by committing to a legislative agenda that sought to restore public trust and provide a framework for good governance. This agenda, he explained, was not developed in isolation but emerged from broad consultations involving civil society, ministries, agencies, and development partners.
The Speaker emphasized that alignment with the Tinubu administration’s “Renewed Hope” program was deliberate, designed to create a cooperative environment between the legislative and executive branches without compromising the independence of the National Assembly.
Outlining the key focus areas, he listed governance, national security, economic recovery, legal reforms, social development, open parliament practices, foreign policy direction, and environmental resilience. He stated that each committee in the House tailored its work plans around these objectives, setting clear benchmarks to measure performance.
He also underlined efforts to ensure lawmakers stay connected to their constituents through functioning constituency offices and regular public engagement.
“As challenges evolve, we’ve remained flexible, adjusting our course without straying from our core mission. The 10th House has not just set goals—it has pursued them with intent, structure, and discipline,” Abbas added.
On the matter of public participation, he noted that the House continues to prioritize citizens’ input across all legislative activities.
“We have opened our doors to the people, not just in theory but in everyday practice,” he said.
The event, held at a pivotal point in the Assembly’s tenure, was both a platform to account for its achievements and a space to identify areas needing attention as the House moves into its second half.
