The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has defended the performance of the 10th National Assembly, urging Nigerians to acquaint themselves with the laws passed by the legislature before criticising lawmakers
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday defended the performance of the 10th National Assembly, urging Nigerians to acquaint themselves with the laws passed by the legislature before criticising lawmakers.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja on Tuesday, Akpabio said that much of the public criticism of the parliament stems from a poor understanding of the legislative process.
The event, themed “Three Years of the 10th National Assembly: Advocacy, Transparency, Inclusion and Reforms,” also witnessed the unveiling of the House of Representatives’ third-year legislative scorecard, which showed that the current House has recorded the highest legislative output since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
According to the scorecard presented by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the House received 2,747 bills in its first three years, passed 363 of them, while 72 have so far received presidential assent from President Bola Tinubu — the highest number of bills assented to by any Nigerian President since independence in 1960.
Addressing participants, Akpabio encouraged Nigerians to study the laws enacted by the National Assembly before passing judgment on lawmakers.
“I want all of us to attend this Open Week. Please try to read the laws we make. You can question us after you have finished reading the laws. You can also challenge us,” he said.
The Senate President recalled a recent television programme where a university professor criticised the recently enacted tax reform laws without reading them.
“I saw somebody, a professor, on television condemning the tax bills. We asked him, ‘Which particular section of the Act are you against?’ He said he had not read any of the Acts. Sometimes before you comment on social media, take time to look at the work we have actually done,” Akpabio said.
He stressed that lawmakers enact legislation with future generations in mind rather than for immediate political gains.
“Our job here is to make laws that will last for generations. We are not making laws for ourselves. We are making laws for the protection of Nigeria’s future,” he added.
Akpabio also described the 10th National Assembly as the most peaceful and productive legislature since 1999, attributing its achievements to the strong working relationship between the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“This is the most peaceful and most productive Assembly that we have seen since 1999,” he said, adding that while disagreements occasionally occur between both chambers, lawmakers always resolve them through dialogue in the national interest.
The Senate President also commended security agencies for rescuing abducted school children in Oyo State, describing the operation as evidence of the government’s determination to tackle insecurity.
“The rescue of those children is an indication that government is not sleeping—that government is working round the clock to ensure that Nigerians can sleep with their two eyes closed,” he said.
He further defended the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration, arguing that the country was becoming less dependent on crude oil revenue while states now enjoy improved monthly allocations.
“The President has been able to transform Nigeria from a mono-economy. Today, most states are able to execute projects and pay salaries without depending entirely on borrowing,” he stated.
Earlier, Speaker Abbas unveiled the House’s Third-Year Legislative Scorecard, describing the figures as a reflection of the confidence Nigerians have placed in the parliament.
“Behind each of those bills stands a Nigerian who believed that the law could better their condition. This morning, I wish to account for how this House has honoured that trust,” he said.
The Speaker also announced that the House would withdraw its earlier state police bill to pave the way for expedited consideration of the executive version transmitted by President Tinubu on Tuesday.
According to Abbas, the presidential proposal is more comprehensive and contains stronger safeguards against abuse.
“His Excellency the President has now transmitted to the National Assembly an Executive version of the state police bill, one that is more robust and more comprehensive than the version this House earlier passed.
“The House will therefore recall the version it earlier passed and accord the executive bill the expedited consideration that a matter of this urgency deserves,” he said.
He assured Nigerians that the bill would undergo extensive public scrutiny before passage.
“Nothing here is concealed. The bill will pass through public hearing and open scrutiny. I give this assurance to every Nigerian that the framework will carry robust safeguards,” Abbas stated.
He explained that no state would establish its own police service without meeting constitutional requirements on funding, accountability, human rights and oversight.
The Speaker noted that the House had focused on legislation to improve education, reform tax administration, attract investment, strengthen regional development and enhance citizens’ welfare.
He maintained that the National Assembly’s backing for the Tinubu administration’s reforms was driven by constitutional duty rather than political convenience.
“Every policy of the executive still had to become law, pass through appropriation and withstand legislative scrutiny. The President furnished the vision; the National Assembly furnished the laws that render the vision enforceable,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the President and former speaker of the 9th Assembly, Femi Gbajabiamila, urged lawmakers to sustain reforms that promote transparency, accountability and inclusion.
“Transparency turns constitutional authority into public trust. Inclusion ensures that the voices of our diverse people are not only heard but reflected in national priorities. Reform keeps our institutions responsive to changing realities and capable of delivering better outcomes,” he said.
Gbajabiamila added that the annual National Assembly Open Week should go beyond ceremonial activities and become a platform for sustained engagement between lawmakers and citizens.
“An Open Week must be more than the ceremonial opening of the gates of Parliament. It should be an invitation to scrutiny, dialogue and partnership,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Presidency’s commitment to maintaining a constructive relationship with the legislature.
“While the executive and the legislature are separate arms of government, they share one ultimate mandate, which is to improve the lives of the Nigerian people. Constructive cooperation does not diminish legislative independence,” he added.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library, Hon. Henry Nwawuba unveiled plans to launch the National Assembly Library Mobile App, describing it as a major step towards bringing Parliament closer to Nigerians by improving access to legislative information and services.
The National Assembly Library boss also noted that this year’s Open Week coincides with the second anniversary of the National Assembly Library following its presidential unveiling by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said the institution had made significant progress in preserving Nigeria’s legislative heritage, expanding public access to parliamentary information and modernising legislative knowledge management through digital innovation.
“Today is more than an event; it is a celebration of democratic openness and institutional progress. Democracy thrives when citizens are informed, engaged and involved in governance,” Nwawuba said.
In his goodwill message, the Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Clement Nwankwo, acknowledged the achievements of the National Assembly but said much more remained to be done.
He commended lawmakers for the constitutional review process, legislative reforms, increased digital engagement and greater interaction with civil society but urged them to strengthen oversight of the executive and improve transparency and public participation.
“The Parliament is at its strongest not when it agrees with the executive, but when it faithfully discharges its constitutional duty to scrutinise executive action, protect public resources and ensure that government remains accountable to the people,” Nwankwo said.
He urged the legislature to prioritise the completion of constitutional amendments, passage of the Special Seats Bill for Women, electoral reforms, stronger legislative oversight and greater inclusion of women and other underrepresented groups.
Retired Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, also charged lawmakers to maintain close consultations with their constituents on issues affecting them.
The event was attended by several prominent Nigerians, including former Speakers of the House of Representatives Aminu Masari, Patricia Etteh and Yakubu Dogara, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, and former Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.
The National Assembly Open Week was introduced to promote transparency, improve legislative accountability and provide Nigerians with direct access to parliamentary proceedings. This year’s edition features discussions on constitutional amendment, state policing, women’s political representation, economic reforms, legislative oversight and youth participation in governance.
