The House of Representatives gets a new Clerk as Dr. Yahaya H. Danzaria bows out of the service of the National Assembly
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, alongside principal officers and members, on Thursday paid glowing tributes to the outgoing Clerk of the House, Dr. Yahaya H. Danzaria, describing his retirement as the end of a distinguished career marked by integrity, professionalism and unwavering commitment to parliamentary democracy.
The tributes were delivered during a valedictory session held in Dr. Danzaria’s honour on the floor of the House, as he formally bowed out of the federal civil service after decades of service to the National Assembly.
His retirement was formally announced by the speaker during plenary on Thursday. He also announced the appointment of Ibrahim Sidi as the new Clerk to the House of Representatives.
In his valedictory address, Speaker Abbas said the House gathered not merely to mark the passage of time but to honour a career that helped strengthen the stability, continuity and integrity of Nigeria’s legislative institution.
“Today, the House gathers in solemn recognition of service. We meet not just to mark the passage of time but to honour a career dedicated to the stability, integrity and continuity of parliamentary democracy,” the speaker said.
He noted that while elected officials come and go through electoral cycles, the strength of a democratic legislature depends on enduring institutional frameworks upheld by procedure, order, records and professional administration.
“The Office of the Clerk stands at the heart of this responsibility. It provides continuity beyond electoral cycles, safeguards the legitimacy of parliamentary decisions, and ensures that debate, disagreement and consensus occur within lawful bounds,” Abbas stated.
The speaker commended Dr. Danzaria for serving in the sensitive position with “clarity, discipline and restraint,” adding that his career progression within the National Assembly reflected competence, learning and dedication.
Trained in law and grounded in public administration and policy analysis, Abbas said the outgoing Clerk combined legal precision with administrative insight, stressing that parliamentary procedure is functional rather than ceremonial.
“It exists to protect minority rights, preserve order and ensure that the decisions of the House can withstand legal and constitutional scrutiny,” he added.
Speaker Abbas also highlighted Dr. Danzaria’s role in supporting the formulation and implementation of the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House, as well as his contributions to the review of the House Standing Orders.
He further noted that his insistence on timely preparation and circulation of Notice Papers for improved legislative planning and efficiency.
Beyond institutional contributions, the speaker praised Dr. Danzaria’s calm temperament, humility and professionalism, describing them as defining features of his leadership.
“His legacy is considerable. On behalf of the House of Representatives, I express sincere appreciation for his years of dedication and wish him good health and fulfillment in retirement,” Abbas concluded.
Earlier, the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, described the valedictory session as one filled with “mixed feelings,” noting that Dr. Danzaria was retiring at a relatively young age after starting public service early.
He lauded the outgoing Clerk’s attention to detail, humility and diligence, urging the nation to continue to tap into his wealth of experience.
“It is the duty of this nation to leverage the resources found in people like you, in whom so much has been invested,” Kalu said, while encouraging young Nigerians to join public service early and maintain clean records.
Other lawmakers who spoke echoed similar sentiments, describing Dr. Danzaria as calm, accessible, patriotic and non-partisan in his service. Members recalled his readiness to respond to calls at all hours, his ability to manage tension without conflict, and his commitment to doing the right thing regardless of pressure.
Speaking on behalf of the minority caucus, Minority Whip Rep. Isa Ali described Dr. Danzaria as a committed and dependable administrator who served in various capacities, including as Acting Clerk of the House in the 9th Assembly.
“No matter how tense the situation, he remained calm and always chose the right path,” Isa Ali said, adding that the minority caucus was proud of his service and prayed for greater opportunities ahead.
Also speaking, Rep. Miriam Onuoha expressed gratitude that the House chose to celebrate Dr. Danzaria while he was alive, describing him as “one of Nigeria’s finest” and a constant source of wise counsel to committee chairpersons.
She praised his availability, humility and responsiveness, conferring on him what she described as an informal honour of “Distinguished and Accomplished Clerk of the Century” of the 10th House.
Several members, including Reps. Obi Aguocha, Sada Soli, Adedeji Olajide, Mark Esset and Ahmed Jaha, took turns to commend Dr. Danzaria’s integrity, institutional memory, mentorship, and result-oriented approach, noting that his legacy would endure through the many staff and lawmakers he mentored.
Rep. Jaha, in particular, described him as “the most humble, loyal and committed Clerk” he had worked with in over 20 years of legislative experience, adding that his success reflected strong mentorship within the National Assembly bureaucracy.
As the session drew to a close, members unanimously agreed that Dr. Danzaria’s service had left lasting footprints in the sands of time, wishing him peace, good health and continued relevance in his post-retirement life.
