The National Assembly recently hosted a Three-Day Retreat for its Top Management, bringing together high-level officials for strategic discussions aimed at enhancing the institution’s efficiency, accountability, and resilience. The event, held from Thursday, 8th to Sunday, 11th May, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, was organised in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
With the theme, “Building an Accountable, Transparent and Resilient National Assembly: The Role of the National Assembly Management”, the retreat served as a critical platform for introspection, capacity building, and forward-thinking dialogue. The event attracted distinguished public officials, resource persons, and thought leaders who examined the internal structures and management dynamics that influence the performance of Nigeria’s legislative body.
Among the distinguished participants was Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba, the Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF), who played a key role as a presenter. Nwawuba delivered a compelling presentation titled, “Maintaining the Legislature’s Heritage through Digital Archiving and Preservation: The Role of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF).”
In his address, Nwawuba underscored the critical importance of institutional memory in strengthening legislative governance. He highlighted how the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, established to serve as the knowledge backbone of the National Assembly, is leading a transformative agenda centred on digital archiving and preservation. According to him, maintaining a robust digital archive is not just about storage—it is about preserving Nigeria’s legislative history, improving access to information, and enabling evidence-based lawmaking.
“Digitising and preserving legislative records ensures that we do not lose the wealth of information contained in past debates, motions, bills, and reports,” he said. “It is about equipping the present and future lawmakers, researchers, and citizens with tools for continuity, learning, and accountability.”
Nwawuba further elaborated on the strides NALTF has made in recent months, including the digitisation of historical legislative documents, the acquisition of modern archival technologies, and partnerships with local and international stakeholders. He also emphasised that digital preservation is central to the broader reform goals of the National Assembly, particularly in ensuring transparency, accountability, and institutional resilience.
His presentation resonated strongly with the overall theme of the retreat. By demonstrating how knowledge management and digital transformation can contribute to legislative excellence, Nwawuba positioned the National Assembly Library Trust Fund as a critical enabler in the journey towards a more effective and modern legislature.
Throughout the retreat, participants engaged in a series of discussions that examined various thematic areas such as legislative oversight, public financial management, ethical leadership, and staff performance. The event provided a valuable opportunity for top management to align on vision, share experiences, and identify actionable reforms to boost the legislative institution’s service delivery.
The collaboration with PLAC and support from the UK FCDO further reflected the National Assembly’s commitment to learning, innovation, and international best practices. Their involvement ensured that the retreat benefited from a wealth of technical expertise and comparative insights on how parliaments across the globe are adapting to contemporary governance challenges.
In his closing remarks, the Clerk to the National Assembly commended all presenters and participants for their contributions and encouraged continued collaboration across departments. He acknowledged the efforts of the NALTF under Nwawuba’s leadership and pledged the institution’s support towards scaling digital preservation initiatives.
The Retreat concluded on a high note, with a renewed sense of purpose among National Assembly managers and a shared commitment to institutional reform. As Nigeria’s democracy continues to evolve, initiatives like this retreat—and the role of entities such as the NALTF—will remain pivotal in building a legislature that is not only accountable and transparent, but also resilient and future-ready.
Through his insightful presentation and ongoing leadership at the NALTF, Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba has once again demonstrated how strategic innovation in information management can drive sustainable improvements in governance.
