From July 7 to 10, 2025, the House of Representatives in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and support from partners such as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office (FCDO) held the second edition of the NASS Open Week – a three-day event aimed at demystifying the legislature and strengthening public trust. Held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, the event brought together lawmakers, citizens, civil society groups, development partners, students, and media in a rare space for direct engagement with the people’s representatives.
With exhibitions, policy dialogues, and panel sessions, the Open Week spotlighted the work of the House while offering citizens a front-row seat to legislative priorities. One session in particular that witnessed a huge attendance was the panel on the Special Seats Bill.
That session brought together NASS legislators, women legislators from the State Assemblies and other prominent women leaders to discuss proposed constitutional amendments aimed at improving the political representation of women. PLAC’s Executive Director, Clement Nwankwo, underscored the urgency of inclusion as a pillar of democratic credibility. Other speakers echoed this call, framing the bill as a long-overdue correction to Nigeria’s deep representation gap and signaling broad support for moving the reforms forward.
While the event earned praise for its coordination, some civil society actors offered a note of caution. They warned that the value of Open Week risks being symbolic if it doesn’t lead to meaningful legislative outcomes. Calls were made for follow-through such as turning recommendations from panel discussions and public feedback into action, and ensuring that civic engagement is not limited to a once-a-year affair.
Still, the 2025 NASS Open Week stands out as a welcome effort to bridge the distance between the legislature and the people. Whether it becomes more than a photo op will depend on what comes next.