The National Assembly has introduced new movement restrictions within the Senate building, limiting access to certain walkways traditionally used by journalists, aides, and staff.
A memo issued on 2 October 2025 by Brigadier General Etido E. Ekpo (rtd), the Serjeant-at-Arms, directed that the long corridor in front of the Senate President’s office, stretching from the White House lobby, will now be reserved strictly for Senators and Members of the House of Representatives.
“The measure is to strengthen security and maintain order around the Senate Chamber,” Ekpo stated in the circular addressed to the Chairman of Senate Services.
The directive goes further to bar personal assistants and legislative aides from using the restricted passage. Lawmakers have been instructed to inform their staff of the new rule.
Journalists covering parliamentary proceedings are among those affected by the restriction, which effectively reduces access to one of the busiest walkways in the National Assembly complex.
