The National Assembly of Nigeria is set to enhance public access to legislative information by translating laws into various local languages, including Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa. This initiative aims to promote a better understanding of laws that affect citizens' daily lives. The plan was disclosed by Henry Nwawuba, Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, during the 2026 National Assembly Library Week in Abuja. The event's theme was "Parliamentary Memory: Connecting Records, Legislation and the People."
The National Assembly Library Trust Fund is investing in electronic repositories and upgrading its E-Library to make legislative information more accessible. A mobile application is being developed to enable lawmakers, staff members, researchers, and the public to access parliamentary records easily. The library serves as the knowledge infrastructure of the legislature and a repository of parliamentary records. It provides access to authoritative parliamentary records, including Order Papers, Votes and Proceedings, Committee reports, and Acts passed by the National Assembly.
To simplify Bills, Acts, and legislative procedures for Nigerians, the library is developing infographics, audiovisual materials, and video explainers. A Bills Tracker is also being planned, which will enable users to follow bills and monitor their progress through the legislative process. These initiatives aim to address inconsistencies in official parliamentary documents and the circulation of fake or unauthorised copies of National Assembly records.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged lawmakers to make greater use of the library, particularly in an era of increasing misinformation and disinformation. He described the library as a critical link between evidence, knowledge, and legislative decision-making. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, emphasized the importance of legislative records in understanding Nigeria's legislative history and strengthening democratic governance.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, highlighted the significance of the library in preserving institutional knowledge and records. He warned against the circulation of incomplete, outdated, altered, or unauthorised Bills, Acts, and other parliamentary documents. Ogunlana stressed that the integrity of an Act depended on the ability to establish which version was authentic and authoritative.
The National Assembly Library plays a crucial role in bridging parliamentary records, legislation, and the people. Its importance as a repository of parliamentary knowledge was emphasized by various stakeholders, including the President of the Nigerian Library Association, Lawal Umar, and the Secretary-General, Conference of Speakers of African Legislatures, Debo Oyewale. They called for sustained investment in libraries and modern information technology to improve access to legislative information.
The planned translation of laws into local languages and the development of digital platforms are part of the National Assembly's efforts to promote transparency and public engagement. Key stakeholders are working together to ensure that parliamentary records are preserved, authenticated, and made accessible to lawmakers, researchers, journalists, civil society organisations, students, and the wider public.
Key points
- The National Assembly plans to translate laws into Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and other local languages to increase public access to legislative information.
- A mobile application and Bills Tracker are being developed to make legislative information more accessible and enable users to follow bills and monitor their progress.
- The National Assembly Library is investing in electronic repositories and upgrading its E-Library to promote a better understanding of laws and legislative procedures.
