The opening ceremony of the National Assembly (NASS) Open Week 2026 commenced on Tuesday, July 14, bringing together the leadership of the 10th Assembly, policymakers, and civil society members to reflect on the scorecard of the 10th Assembly.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library, Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba, described the initiative as a crucial milestone for democratic openness and public trust.
“Today is more than an event; it is a celebration of democratic openness and institutional progress,” Nwawuba stated. “Democracy thrives when citizens are informed, engaged, and involved in governance.”
This year’s Open Week, themed “Three Years of the 10th Assembly,” offers a platform for Nigerians to evaluate legislative achievements and strengthen the crucial relationship between parliament and the public.
Two Years of Transforming Parliamentary Knowledge
The 2026 Open Week also coincides with the second anniversary of the National Assembly Library. Since its presidential unveiling by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the library has rapidly transitioned from a conceptual project into one of Africa’s leading parliamentary knowledge institutions.
Over the last two years, the library has aggressively modernized how legislative data is preserved and accessed. Nwawuba shared several remarkable milestones achieved by the library under his leadership, detailing its massive digital and physical footprint:
- Digital Reach: Over 1 million weekly website visitors and a social media reach exceeding 1.5 million Nigerians, supported by more than 20,000 digital subscribers.
- Unprecedented Digitization: The successful digitization of 8,584 legislative materials, including 4,425 Votes and Proceedings, safeguarding the country’s legislative heritage.
- Physical Engagement: Over 535,000 physical visitors hosted at the library, along with more than 3,110 participants in educational library tours.
- Policy Dialogues & Research: Over 100 policy-oriented research papers produced, alongside 50 successfully hosted national policy dialogues with experts, civil society, and youth groups.
- Revived Heritage: The acquisition of over 100 museum artifacts and the successful revival of the official legislative publication, the Legislative Digest, distributing over 3,500 copies after a six-year hiatus.
Introducing the “Portable Parliament”: The NASS Library Mobile App
Looking toward the future of citizen-led oversight, Nwawuba announced the official launch of the National Assembly Library Mobile App, scheduled to be unveiled later in the week. Designed as a “portable parliament,” the mobile application aims to put critical legislative resources directly into the hands of ordinary Nigerians, regardless of their location.
The mobile app features six core pillars designed to democratize access to the legislature:
| Feature | Description |
| Real-Time Bill Tracker | Allows citizens to monitor the progress of active bills dynamically through the legislative pipeline. |
| E-Library Access | Grants instant global access to thousands of curated research papers, books, and publications. |
| Remote Library Catalogue | Enables researchers to search physical shelves and locate books before arriving at the library. |
| Instant Registration | Speeds up physical visits by allowing users to skip queues and register on their phones. |
| Direct Legislator Directory | Connects citizens directly with their respective representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives. |
| Live News Updates | Delivers real-time website updates on active parliamentary proceedings and library activities. |
“This innovation reinforces our vision of bringing Parliament closer to the people and encourages greater public participation in the legislative process,” Nwawuba noted.
Collaborations and Future Outlook
The Executive Secretary expressed profound appreciation to the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, specifically thanking Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen for their steadfast, visionary support. He also recognized the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), management staff, development partners, and civil society organizations for their collaborative contributions to the library’s rapid development.
As Open Week 2026 continues, Nwawuba urged all participants—including lawmakers, researchers, and youth organizations—to engage actively with the exhibitions, policy debates, and interactive sessions.
“Together, we can continue to build a National Assembly that is transparent, accessible, responsive, and reflective of the aspirations of the Nigerian people,” Nwawuba concluded.
