morganaBLE politics/Governance
Nwawuba disclosed that the Trust Fund was investing in electronic repositories and upgrading the e-library system to meet modern information demands
KaNo—
The National Assembly has unveiled plans to translate Nigeria’s laws into major local languages, including Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba, in a move aimed at expanding public access to legislative information and strengthening citizen engagement in governance.
The initiative was announced on Monday in Abuja by the Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, Mr Henry Nwawuba, at the opening of the 2026 National Assembly Library Week.
Themed “Parliamentary Memory: Connecting Records, Legislation and the People,” the three-day event seeks to promote legislative research, improve access to information and encourage the effective use of resources within the National Assembly Library.
Speaking at the event, Nwawuba said the translation of laws into indigenous languages formed part of broader efforts to deepen the digitisation of parliamentary records and make legislative processes more inclusive and accessible to Nigerians.
He noted that many citizens remained disconnected from laws that directly affected their daily lives due to language barriers, adding that translating such laws would bridge the gap between the legislature and the public.
According to him, “The National Assembly Library is more than a collection of books; it serves as the knowledge infrastructure of the legislature and a repository of parliamentary records.”
He explained that the library was working to ensure that lawmakers, legislative aides, researchers and other stakeholders had access to authoritative records such as Order Papers, Votes and Proceedings, committee reports and Acts passed by the National Assembly.
Nwawuba disclosed that the Trust Fund was investing in electronic repositories and upgrading the e-library system to meet modern information demands.
He added that a mobile application was being developed to make legislative information easily accessible to lawmakers, staff, researchers and members of the public.
In addition, he revealed plans for the introduction of a Bills Tracker, a digital tool designed to enable users monitor the progress of bills through various stages of the legislative process.
He said the library was also producing infographics, audiovisual materials and video explainers to simplify legislative procedures, bills and enacted laws for public understanding.
Nwawuba stressed that the translation of laws into local languages would not only enhance transparency but also empower citizens with the knowledge required to participate meaningfully in governance and policy discussions.
He added that the library would organise public policy dialogues to promote citizen participation in public hearings and create opportunities for interaction between lawmakers, researchers, civil society organisations and the general public.
The Executive Secretary said the initiatives were also aimed at tackling inconsistencies in official parliamentary documents and curbing the circulation of fake or unauthorised records.
In his remarks, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, called on lawmakers to make greater use of the National Assembly Library, especially in an era marked by the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation.
Represented by Senator Osita Ngwu, Akpabio described the library as a critical link between knowledge, evidence and legislative decision-making.
He emphasised the need for sustained support to strengthen the institution, noting that credible legislative outcomes depended on access to accurate and reliable information.
Similarly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, highlighted the importance of preserving legislative records as a cornerstone of democratic governance.
Represented by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the Speaker said the strength of any legislature should not only be measured by the number of laws it enacted but also by how effectively it documented its activities and preserved institutional knowledge.
He said proper documentation and accessibility of legislative records were essential for ensuring accountability, continuity and informed policymaking.
Tajudeen also acknowledged the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in legislative processes, noting that such tools could significantly enhance research, record preservation and access to information.
However, he cautioned that the adoption of these technologies must be guided by accuracy, security and professional judgment to prevent misuse and safeguard institutional integrity.
On his part, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, stressed that the legislature could not function effectively without a robust system for generating, preserving and authenticating its records.
He described the National Assembly Library as a vital bridge connecting parliamentary records, legislation and the Nigerian people, adding that transparency in governance depended largely on the accessibility and reliability of such records.
Ogunlana identified key components of Nigeria’s democratic memory to include the Order Paper, Votes and Proceedings and the Hansard, explaining that each played a crucial role in documenting legislative activities.
He warned against the circulation of incomplete, outdated or manipulated parliamentary documents, noting that advancements in digital technology had made it easier for unauthorised versions of bills and laws to be altered and disseminated.
According to him, “The integrity of an Act depends not merely on the existence of a document, but on the ability to establish which version is authentic, authoritative and legally valid.”
The Clerk further highlighted challenges associated with maintaining an up-to-date body of federal legislation, citing the continued reliance on the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
He explained that the LFN 2004 reflected laws as they existed at the time of the revision exercise and was not automatically updated with newly enacted legislation, thereby creating gaps in legal reference materials.
Ogunlana called for strengthened measures in cybersecurity, digital preservation and authentication systems as parliamentary records become increasingly digitised.
He stressed the importance of secure access controls, reliable backup systems and continuous training for staff to ensure the integrity and safety of legislative information.
He warned that while digitisation would improve access and dissemination of parliamentary records, it also posed risks such as cyberattacks, document manipulation and impersonation of official sources.
The Clerk emphasised that digital platforms must strike a balance between accessibility and security, ensuring that electronic records remained authentic, traceable and protected.
He added that the National Assembly Library must evolve beyond being a passive repository of documents to an active institution that preserves, verifies and disseminates parliamentary knowledge to a wide range of users, including lawmakers, journalists, researchers, students and civil society groups.
Also speaking at the event, the President of the Nigerian Library Association, Dr Lawal Umar, called for sustained investment in libraries and modern information technology to improve access to legislative information across the country.
He urged stronger collaboration between the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to enhance knowledge sharing and institutional development.
In a similar vein, the Secretary-General of the Conference of Speakers of African Legislatures, Ambassador Debo Oyewale, said African parliaments had much to gain from shared learning and cooperation in building systems that preserve legislative memory.
Oyewale noted that strengthening legislative institutions across the continent would contribute to improved governance, accountability and democratic development.
The 2026 National Assembly Library Week continues with a series of lectures, panel discussions and exhibitions focused on improving legislative transparency, strengthening parliamentary records and enhancing public engagement in the lawmaking process.
