Abuja, Nigeria – 13th July 2025 – The Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) has applauded the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, for his visionary and transformative leadership in promoting open, transparent, and citizen-centred legislative governance.
This commendation follows the successful conclusion of the National Assembly Open Week, held under the theme: “Deepening Citizens’ Trust and Participation: Celebrating Our Journey as the People’s House.” The week-long event created an unprecedented platform for meaningful interaction between citizens and lawmakers, aimed at reinforcing transparency, accountability, and inclusive democratic participation.
Speaking on behalf of CoSPAL, its Secretary General, Ambassador Dapo Oyewole, described the initiative as a model of best practice in legislative openness. He praised Speaker Abbas and the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for their commitment to a participatory governance model that places the Nigerian people at the core of legislative activity.
“By positioning the legislature as the People’s House, Speaker Abbas has set a commendable precedent for citizen-centred governance,” said Ambassador Oyewole. “This bold step is not only transformative for Nigeria but stands as a call to action for African legislatures to embrace openness and deepen their engagement with citizens.”
CoSPAL further noted that the Nigerian example has the potential to serve as a continental benchmark for parliaments seeking to institutionalise open governance principles.
“When parliaments are open, inclusive, and accountable, democratic institutions grow stronger and citizen trust deepens,” Ambassador Oyewole added. “We believe the leadership demonstrated by Speaker Abbas and his team aligns seamlessly with CoSPAL’s ideals and will inspire similar reforms across the continent.”
He emphasised that the Open Week initiative provided a valuable opportunity for citizens to express their views, raise concerns, and contribute meaningfully to national dialogue, strengthening both legislative accountability and democratic development.
CoSPAL reaffirmed its support for the Nigerian legislature’s direction and expressed optimism that more African parliaments would replicate such people-driven innovations.
“An accessible and transparent parliament lays the foundation for a more resilient democracy. The success of Nigeria’s Open Week underscores the critical role of civic engagement in reshaping legislative institutions across Africa,” Ambassador Oyewole concluded.
