By Muhammad Mamman
The Executive Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Chief Saviour Enyiekere, has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to expedite the inauguration of the National Assembly Pension Board to enable the full rollout of the National Assembly Service Pension Scheme.
During a courtesy visit to the Senate President on Thursday, 29 January 2026, Enyiekere said the formal take-off of the board was critical to improving the welfare of retired National Assembly staff. He noted that many retirees were facing significant hardship due to delays and difficulties in accessing their pensions long after leaving service.
According to him, activating the pension framework would align the National Assembly with global best practice in parliamentary administration and boost staff morale and motivation.
The NASC chairman also outlined broader institutional reforms aimed at strengthening the legislature’s effectiveness. He proposed the establishment of a Council of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly to function as a think tank and repository of institutional memory. Drawing on the experience of past leaders, he said, would provide valuable guidance for present and future assemblies and support continuity in legislative standards.
On infrastructure, Enyiekere appealed for support to revive and construct dedicated National Assembly Legislative Quarters. He argued that a modern residential complex for lawmakers and staff would help tackle accommodation pressures, improve security, and enhance operational efficiency within the federal legislature.
The visit — Enyiekere’s first to the Senate leadership since the inauguration of the 6th NASC on 5 May 2025 — also served to brief the leadership on the commission’s activities and plans. He disclosed that a comprehensive staff audit was being prepared to eliminate “ghost workers” and sanitise the system.
In his response, Senate President Akpabio commended the commission’s proactive approach and acknowledged the importance of the proposed reforms. He assured that the 10th National Assembly was ready to support the commission in achieving its objectives.
Akpabio added that the Pension Board would be inaugurated once identified anomalies in its enabling Act were resolved, noting that the legislation was currently being amended. He further encouraged the commission to propose ideas for amending the National Assembly Service Act 2014 to grant it fuller control over manpower management across all arms of the National Assembly.
However, the Senate President urged the commission to address concerns arising from recent appointments and redeployments involving senior National Assembly officials.
