10th House sets record as proactive, people-focused parliament – Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has declared that the 10th House has been remarkably proactive and productive since its inauguration nearly two years ago.

Speaking on Monday at the inaugural Policy Dialogue on the House’s Legislative Agenda, attended by top officials from federal and state governments, the private sector, and members of the diplomatic corps, Speaker Abbas said the current House had exceeded expectations in both legislative output and impact.

“The 10th House has delivered results,” he said. “We have introduced a record number of bills and legislative proposals, unprecedented at this stage of any National Assembly. But more important than quantity is impact. These bills and motions are focused on the critical reforms our nation urgently requires. Already, several landmark bills passed by the House have received presidential assent.”

He emphasised that the dialogue represents “a clear demonstration of our shared commitment to parliamentary accountability, transparency, and a truly citizen-driven legislature.”

Recalling the House’s pledge to maintain engagement with the Nigerian people, report on its performance, and adapt based on citizens’ feedback, Speaker Abbas described the event as a fulfilment of that promise. He added that it also serves as a prelude to the forthcoming Open NASS Week, where the public would be granted full insight into the House’s midterm performance.

He said the dialogue aimed not only to celebrate successes but also to identify areas for improvement in a spirit of openness and democratic inclusivity.

Reflecting on the House’s journey, Speaker Abbas recalled:
“When we inaugurated the 10th House in June 2023, Nigeria was grappling with immense challenges. The economy was fragile, insecurity was widespread, and public confidence in democratic governance had waned. The removal of fuel subsidies further intensified economic hardship and public anxiety. These extraordinary circumstances demanded an extraordinary legislative response.

“In response, we committed ourselves to the most ambitious legislative agenda in the history of our National Assembly — one designed to deliver good governance and restore faith in democracy.”

He explained that the Legislative Agenda was the result of wide-ranging consultations with ministries, agencies, civil society organisations, and development partners. The outcome was a detailed roadmap to guide legislative, oversight, and representational duties from 2023 to 2027.

The Speaker noted that the House aligned its agenda with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, fostering synergy between the legislative and executive arms.

“Our agenda reflects a governance model based on collaboration. While preserving our independence, we have engaged in dialogue with the Executive to ensure that our legislative actions are aligned with national priorities and responsive to citizens’ needs,” he said.

The legislative agenda covers eight priority areas, including enhancing governance, improving national security, revitalising the economy, reforming outdated laws, advancing social development, promoting inclusion through an open parliament, shaping foreign policy in the national interest, and addressing climate change and environmental sustainability.

“No previous House of Representatives has proposed such a wide-ranging and forward-thinking legislative blueprint,” Abbas stated. “Our progress has been driven by our focused and strategic execution of this agenda.”

He added that all committees were required to integrate the agenda into their work plans, with measurable milestones and performance indicators established to monitor progress. Special committees were also formed to evaluate implementation.

“Beyond setting targets, we insisted on regular communication and accountability. Members were mandated to maintain active constituency offices and report consistently on their engagements with the public,” he said.

He further explained that the agenda was intentionally designed to be flexible and adaptable to emerging challenges, ensuring that the House could respond effectively without losing focus.

“We did not simply announce an ambitious agenda and hope for the best,” the Speaker remarked. “We created mechanisms, assigned responsibilities, and demonstrated the political will needed for implementation.”

On representation, Abbas reiterated that members of the 10th House were committed to being truly people-centred.

“In every major endeavour, we have actively sought out and reflected the voice of the people. This House is citizen-driven — not in words, but in action,” he concluded.