House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, Jr. has affirmed that open parliament directly aligns with one of the central priorities of the the 10th House
The spokesman of the House of Representatives, Rep. Akintunde Rotimi Jr, has reiterated the commitment of the tenth National Assembly to strengthening transparency, accountability, and public trust through deliberate reforms that promote an open and citizen-centred parliament.
Speaking at the national dialogue on “Strengthening Transparency and Trust through Open Parliament” organised by OrderPaper in collaboration with Nigerian Network of Parliamentary Monitoring Organisations (NNPMOs) in Abuja on Thursday, Rep. Rotimi said the initiative aligns directly with one of the central priorities of the House under Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
“It is an honour to deliver this goodwill message,” Rotimi stated, praising the organisers for their leadership, particularly through the Promoting Open Parliament and Upscaling Legislative Accountability (POPULA) project. He noted that the platform continues to strengthen collaboration and collective responsibility for deepening democratic governance in Nigeria.
Open Parliament as a Legislative Priority
The lawmaker recalled that upon inauguration in June 2023, the House set up an ad-hoc Committee on the Legislative Agenda, which conducted wide consultations with Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), civil society, and development partners.
These engagements, he said, informed the drafting of the ‘People’s House Legislative Agenda (2023–2027),’ which outlines eight priority areas.
He highlighted that Open Parliament, listed as agenda six, stands as a central pillar because transparency, accessibility, and citizen engagement are crucial to restoring and sustaining public confidence in the legislature.
According to him, the House has made “meaningful progress” in advancing this agenda but acknowledged that “full implementation remains an ongoing process.”
Advancing Transparency Through Digital Engagement
Rotimi, who chairs the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the committee operates on a clear vision, to position the tenth assembly as the People’s House: trusted, responsive, and results-driven.
He explained that the committee’s work is anchored on the values of Transparency, Engagement, and Accessibility (TEA), which guide its communication strategy.
Over the last 30 months, he said, the House prioritised digital media to:
- Engage young Nigerians on parliamentary governance
- Counter misinformation with verified information
- Broaden civic literacy
- Provide simplified and real-time access to parliamentary records
As part of its midterm acachievements Rep. Rotimi announced that the committee delivered:
- 3,850 social media posts and broadcasts
- 238 press statements
- 120 explanatory videos on plenary and committee activities
- 15 digital public-education series, including Committee Watch, Dear Reps, Periscope, #HouseCheck, Plenary Recap, and New Bills Friday
- 10 print publications
- Youth-focused digital programmes
- Partnerships with civil society, foreign missions, and development organisations
- An exclusive broadcast channel for media executives and civic groups
“These initiatives enable Parliament to communicate efficiently and foster trust by making government actions visible, understandable, and verifiable,” he said.
Institutionalising a Culture of Openness
Beyond digital innovations, Rep. Rotimi highlighted several structural reforms aimed at institutionalising openness within the House, including:
Annual Legislative Open Week for direct citizen–parliament engagement, an expanded coverage of public and investigative hearings, Increased publication of parliamentary documents such as order papers, hansards, Journals, and committee schedules and strengthened feedback mechanisms to ensure citizens’ voices inform legislative action.
“These efforts reflect a simple democratic truth: trust is earned through consistent transparency and engagement,” he said. “Openness is not a destination; it is a continuous journey of learning, refining, and improving.”
Rotimi expressed optimism that insights from the dialogue would support ongoing reforms and accelerate the evolution of a more open, trusted, and people-oriented parliament.
He reaffirmed the House’s commitment to sustained partnership with civil society and the wider public.
“Together, we will consolidate a culture of transparency and strengthen the trust that is indispensable to our democracy,” he concluded.
