Nigeria Senate President Launches 2026 Assembly Open Week

Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared that Nigeria's parliament belongs to its citizens and must remain open to their scrutiny as he opened the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja on Tuesday, July 14. The event, designed to foster transparency and public engagement, featured a defense of the legislature's performance and its collaborative relationship with the executive branch under President Bola Tinubu.

Akpabio emphasized that the parliament's constitutional duty is to serve Nigerians, not to create conflict. He stated that the institution was built to welcome citizens in as active participants in democracy. He urged Nigerians to engage more deeply by attending public hearings, reading legislation, and holding lawmakers accountable. Public confidence, he argued, is earned through transparency and accountability, not blind trust. He invited citizens to challenge the assembly where they believe it can improve.

The Senate President highlighted the legislative output of the 10th National Assembly, noting it had passed more than 100 bills in its first three years. He listed achievements including laws to strengthen national security, reform the tax system, approve a new...