A delegation from the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) participated in this year’s National Assembly (NASS) Open Week, culminating in the exhibition of the Institute’s programmes and activities at the iconic White House Complex, which houses the two chambers of the National Assembly—the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The DBI delegation was led by the Head of Business Development and Client Services, Mrs. Judith Uzougbo, and the Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Soji Ezekiel Fagbemi. The team also attended the official opening ceremony of the NASS Open Week, held in the Green Chamber of the House of Representatives.

The event provided the DBI delegation with a valuable opportunity to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including officials of the National Assembly, development partners, private sector representatives and members of the public. The team also held strategic interactions with the Office of the House of Representatives Committee on Communications.

The three-day event, held from Tuesday to Thursday, featured a series of high-level, citizen-centred engagements designed to strengthen collaboration between lawmakers, citizens, policymakers and the private sector while promoting transparency, accountability and public participation in governance.

Declaring the event open, the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the Open Week was designed to give Nigerians a deeper understanding of the work of parliament beyond public perceptions.

According to him, the initiative offers citizens an opportunity to appreciate the National Assembly as the institution where the aspirations of Nigerians are translated into legislation, oversight and representation for national development.

“This Open Week invites Nigerians to look beyond the headlines and the sound bites to see parliament as the meeting point between the aspirations of the people and the responsibilities of government,” he said.

Senator Akpabio explained that the initiative was aimed at deepening public trust by providing citizens and stakeholders with greater insight into the activities of the 10th National Assembly.

He described the programme as a demonstration of the National Assembly’s commitment to transparency, accountability and stronger public engagement in Nigeria’s democratic process.

According to him, the event reinforces the principle that parliament exists primarily to serve the Nigerian people and should remain open and accessible to those whose mandate gives it legitimacy.

“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 stated.

He further stressed that parliament was never intended to operate behind closed doors, noting that democracy can only flourish when citizens are well informed, actively engaged and confident that their voices are reflected in the legislative process.

“Parliament was never built to keep the people out. It was built to bring them in, for democracy flourishes only in the confidence of an informed and engaged citizenry,” he added.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, said the Open Week was founded on the belief that an open, transparent and responsive parliament is essential to building public confidence and strengthening democratic institutions.

He noted that the initiative would foster meaningful dialogue among legislators, citizens, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector, while promoting inclusive governance and legislative transparency.

Speaking on DBI’s participation, the Head of Business Development and Client Services, Mrs. Judith Uzougbo, described the experience as highly strategic and enlightening, noting that it provided deeper insight into the people-centred operations of the National Assembly and its committees.

She said the Open Week created an important platform for direct engagement between the legislature and the Nigerian people, describing such interaction as essential for strengthening democratic governance and encouraging constructive public feedback.

According to her, the event also highlighted the achievements of the 10th National Assembly, particularly its commitment to expediting the passage of critical legislation aimed at addressing national challenges and improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Mrs. Uzougbo expressed appreciation to the Management of the Digital Bridge Institute, led by the President/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David Daser, for supporting the Institute’s participation in the programme.

She also commended the leadership of the National Assembly for extending the invitation to DBI and providing the Institute with a platform to showcase its contributions to digital capacity development in Nigeria.

Soji Eze Fagbemi
Head, Public Affairs
Digital Bridge Institute.