The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for greater transparency and inclusiveness in Nigeria’s legislative process, stressing that citizens should have a clear understanding of how laws are made and how public resources are managed.
Speaking at the 2026 National Assembly Open Week, Gbajabiamila said the legislature must remain accessible to all Nigerians and ensure that diverse voices are reflected in the lawmaking process.
“Citizens should be able to follow how laws are made, understand how public resources are appropriated, and see how legislative oversight protects the national interests,” he said.
He added that the National Assembly should continue to engage young Nigerians, women, persons with disabilities, civil society organisations, the private sector, professional bodies and communities across the federation to strengthen public participation in governance.
Also speaking at the event, former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, urged lawmakers to prioritise integrity and courage when making decisions on issues of national importance.
According to him, history is less likely to remember legislators for the number of laws they passed or oversight functions they performed than for the principles they upheld during defining moments.
Citizens should be able to follow how laws are made, understand how public resources are appropriated, and see how legislative oversight protects the national interests. Equally, the legislature must continue to hear from young Nigerians, hear from the women, hear from persons… pic.twitter.com/mecU8oCd1k
— Channels Television (@channelstv) July 14, 2026
“We will not be remembered by the laws we passed. We will not be remembered by the oversight functions we are able to perform. We will not be remembered by the fact that we won and we are here,” Sani said.
“We’ll be most remembered by the positions we take on matters of controversy and issues that are sensitive to our nation.
There are thousands that have been here and have left, and there will be more.
Our children, our brothers and our siblings will be here, but they will remember us by the mark we make here.”
The remarks formed part of discussions at the 2026 National Assembly Open Week, an initiative aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and greater public engagement in the legislative process.
We will not be remembered by the laws we passed. We will not be remembered by the oversight functions we are able to perform. We will not be remembered by the fact that we won and we are here. We’ll be most remembered by the positions we take for matters of controversy and issues… pic.twitter.com/tnFT9hAbjF
— Channels Television (@channelstv) July 14, 2026
