In a significant move to strengthen democratic governance and legislative responsiveness, the House of Representatives hosted the Inaugural National Policy Dialogue on the Legislative Agenda of the House, on Monday May 12, 2025, in partnership with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), UK International Development, and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF). This first-of-its-kind engagement is part of the House’s renewed commitment to accountability, transparency, and inclusive policymaking.
As the “People’s Chamber,” the House of Representatives plays a central role in Nigeria’s democratic framework—enacting laws, overseeing government policies and expenditures, and representing the interests of the Nigerian people. Recognizing this role, the House has initiated a new series of policy dialogues designed to open up the legislative process to broader stakeholder participation and public scrutiny.
The National Policy Dialogue provided an opportunity to reflect on the objectives of the House’s current legislative agenda, assess its alignment with Nigeria’s development goals, and build consensus around legislative priorities that reflect present-day political and economic realities.
The event brought together key stakeholders from the legislature, civil society, and the international development community. Participants engaged in strategic discussions focused on evaluating progress on the legislative agenda and identifying critical areas for future lawmaking.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, delivered remarks at the dialogue, setting the tone for the deliberations. His presence underscored the leadership’s commitment to open governance and legislative reform.
Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), also addressed the gathering. As a long-standing advocate for democratic governance and civic participation, his contribution reflected PLAC’s role in supporting legislative development and policy analysis in Nigeria.
Also delivering remarks was Hon. Cyril Hart Godwin, Chairman of the Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation of the Implementation of the Legislative Agenda. His intervention highlighted the House’s efforts to track its legislative progress and ensure accountability in delivering its commitments to the Nigerian public.
Representatives from the British High Commission and the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS attended the event, reinforcing the role of international partners in supporting Nigeria’s democratic processes. Their presence reflected sustained diplomatic and developmental interest in the legislative progress of Nigeria’s National Assembly.
Delivering a key message at the event, was Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba, Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF), whose collaboration demonstrated the important role that institutional memory and legislative knowledge systems play in policy formulation and effective lawmaking. NALTF’s partnership in the dialogue aligns with its mission to support legislative capacity and knowledge-driven governance.
The dialogue also featured Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the 8th House of Representatives (2015–2019). His participation added historical context to the discussion, providing continuity between past and present legislative efforts.
The major highlight of the event was the presentation of the two-year scorecard of the House by the current Speaker of the House of Representatives – Rt. Hon Tajudeen Abbas. The scorecard offered a comprehensive overview of legislative activities over the past two years, detailing accomplishments, challenges, and future targets. This public presentation was an important accountability mechanism, showcasing the House’s transparency in reporting its performance to stakeholders and the broader public.
Following the formal presentations, the event transitioned into a panel session, where a cross-section of participants engaged in discussions on legislative priorities, stakeholder expectations, and strategies for improved collaboration between lawmakers and citizens. The panel provided a platform for critical engagement, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in shaping responsive and inclusive legislative outcomes.
The National Policy Dialogue signals a shift in the legislative culture of the House of Representatives—towards greater openness, evidence-based policy formulation, and participatory lawmaking. By involving civil society, development partners, and legislative institutions such as the NALTF, the House is actively broadening the scope of voices that contribute to national policy direction.
In the current political and economic climate, where public trust in institutions and the demand for good governance are high, initiatives like this policy dialogue serve as essential tools for building consensus and delivering people-focused legislative outcomes.
The House of Representatives has stated its intention to continue these engagements as part of its broader reform strategy. With this inaugural policy dialogue, it has laid the groundwork for an inclusive and strategic conversation on the future of legislation in Nigeria—one that listens to the people, evaluates performance, and prioritizes national development.
