Upon his appointment and confirmation by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) in March 2023, Sani Magaji Tambuwal, the newly appointed Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), quickly undertook the management of the Assembly’s broad responsibilities. These duties ranged from overseeing the immediate staff and federal lawmakers to legislative aides and various administrative tasks.
With extensive renovations underway within both chambers of the Assembly and the construction of a digital library, Tambuwal’s responsibilities extended beyond personnel management to broader operational supervision. Amidst these developments, Tambuwal, leveraging his significant experience and robust resume, prioritized the ongoing training and development of staff. This initiative was aimed at maintaining high standards and aligning the Assembly’s operations with contemporary practices.
The importance of this focus on capacity building became particularly apparent as the 9th National Assembly approached the end of its term and prepared for the 2023 general elections. The elections saw a significant shift in the Assembly’s composition, with the emergence of four major political parties—APC, PDP, NNPP, and Labour Party—replacing the previously dominant two. With over 60% new members entering both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and only 40% of incumbents returning, there was an urgent need to acclimate a large number of newcomers to the intricate workings of the National Assembly.
In response, Tambuwal’s administration expanded the orientation programs for federal lawmakers, integrating extensive capacity building workshops that spanned several weeks. These programs were designed to educate both new and returning members on the nuances of their roles before they officially assumed duties in June 2023.
Moreover, the scope of capacity building extended to legislative aides, many of whom were new and lacked experience. These training sessions were essential for preparing aides to effectively support the activities of the lawmakers across various functions such as plenary sessions, committee meetings, and oversight responsibilities.
Tambuwal also ensured that the staff of the National Assembly received ongoing training to enhance their interactions with federal lawmakers, especially in critical areas such as budget proposals, implementation, and liaising with government agencies and the private sector.
The results of these initiatives have been positive, with the 10th Assembly demonstrating robust capabilities and achieving timely passages of key budgets, which maintained the January to December fiscal cycle established by the 9th Assembly. Furthermore, the Assembly efficiently handled the screening and confirmation of various government appointments, reflecting the effectiveness of the capacity-building measures implemented.
Eleven months into his tenure, the progress under Tambuwal’s leadership suggests that the 10th Assembly is well on its way to surpassing the achievements of previous assemblies, underscored by his strategic focus on enhancing the functional capabilities of its members and staff.
This article was penned by Abubakar Yusuf. For inquiries, he can be reached at yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.