President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday declared open the 2026 National Assembly Open Week, urging lawmakers to deepen transparency, accountability and citizen participation in the legislative process.
The opening ceremony, held at the House of Representatives Chamber in Abuja, marked the commencement of the annual initiative aimed at showcasing the legislature’s commitment to openness, strengthening public confidence and fostering engagement between lawmakers and citizens.
Declaring the weeklong event open, Akpabio described Parliament as an institution that belong to the Nigerian people, stressed that democracy can only thrive when citizens are informed and actively involved in governance.
“We are assembled today for something far greater than either Chamber. Parliament belongs not to those elected to sit within it, but to the millions whose hopes and votes brought it into existence,” he said.
According to him, Parliament was established to bring citizens into the democratic process rather than shut them out, noting that the Open Week provides Nigerians with an opportunity to understand the workings of the legislature beyond media headlines and political commentaries.
He said the initiative underscored the role of Parliament as the meeting point between the aspirations of the people and the responsibilities of government.
Akpabio maintained that public education about legislative activities is not only desirable but a democratic necessity, adding that strong democracies are sustained by legislatures that accommodate diverse opinions, reconcile competing interests and give constitutional expression to the voices of all citizens.
He further explained that openness goes beyond granting access to parliamentary proceedings, saying it also means assuring every Nigerian that no community is too remote, no voice too faint and no part of the country too insignificant to deserve representation.
The Senate President called on Nigerians to actively participate in the activities of the National Assembly and hold lawmakers accountable where necessary.
“That is why this Open Week is so important. We invite Nigerians not merely to observe us, but to engage with us; not merely to applaud where they agree, but to challenge us where they believe we can do better. A Parliament that listens becomes wiser. A democracy that listens becomes stronger,” he stated.
Also speaking, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said the National Assembly Open Week was conceived to strengthen public trust by promoting an open and responsive legislature.
According to Abbas, the initiative is founded on the belief that a parliament that listens to the people is critical to building stronger democratic institutions and restoring confidence in governance.
He noted that the three-day programme will feature a series of high-level, people-centred engagements designed to bridge the gap between citizens, policymakers and the private sector while encouraging meaningful dialogue on national issues.
The National Assembly Open Week is expected to provide stakeholders with greater insight into legislative processes and reinforce the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to transparency, inclusiveness and democratic accountability.
