The National Assembly Library Trust Fund has announced plans to translate Nigerian laws into indigenous languages, including Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. This initiative aims to make legislation more accessible to citizens and preserve the country's democratic memory. The Executive Secretary of the Trust Fund, Henry Nwawuba, revealed this at the opening of the 2026 National Assembly Library Week in Abuja.
The 2026 National Assembly Library Week, themed "Parliamentary Memory: Connecting Records, Legislation and the People," is a three-day event designed to promote legislative research, access to information, and the effective use of the National Assembly Library's resources. Nwawuba stated that the institution is investing in electronic repositories and its E-Library, as well as developing a National Assembly Library mobile application.
The National Assembly Library is being upgraded to serve as an institution connecting evidence, knowledge, and legislative decision-making. Senator Osita Ngwu, representing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urged lawmakers to make greater use of the library, especially in an era of misinformation, disinformation, and artificial intelligence.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, emphasized the importance of legislative records in understanding Nigeria's legislative history and strengthening democratic governance. Abbas, represented by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, noted that the strength of a legislature should be measured not only by the laws it enacts but also by how effectively it documents its activities.
The Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, warned against the circulation of incomplete, outdated, altered, or unauthorized bills, Acts, and other parliamentary documents. Ogunlana stressed the importance of proper preservation, authentication, and accessibility of parliamentary records in the digital age.
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. The Secretary-General of the Conference of Speakers of African Legislatures, Debo Oyewale, noted that African legislatures have much to learn from one another in building institutions capable of preserving legislative memory.
Meanwhile, the Senate has cautioned journalists and the public against treating parliamentary motions, committee recommendations, and budget proposals as final decisions of the National Assembly. Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, advised journalists to understand the different stages of parliamentary decision-making before presenting them as established facts.
Key points
- The National Assembly Library Trust Fund is translating laws into indigenous languages to increase accessibility.
- The 2026 National Assembly Library Week aims to promote legislative research and access to information.
- The Senate has warned against premature reporting of parliamentary proceedings.
