BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
Until recently, the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF) existed more as an ancillary department within the legislative arm than as a central component of parliamentary development. However, with its transformation into a hub of legislative heritage and informatics, the institution is now at the heart of preserving Nigeria’s legislative legacy.
The establishment of NALTF addressed the longstanding neglect of the country’s legislative archives, many of which were either scanty or completely non-existent. These gaps in historical records threatened to erase vital chapters of Nigeria’s parliamentary history from the colonial era to the present democratic dispensation.
The turning point came with the appointment of Rt. Hon. Henry Ndochuckwu Nwawuba as the pioneer Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund in June 2023. His appointment marked a new beginning in the formal and institutional preservation of Nigeria’s legislative heritage spanning over six decades.
Nwawuba, a former lawmaker with a rich resume and vast experience, was widely seen as a “round peg in a round hole.” His vision is clear: to transform the NALTF into a world-class knowledge hub—not just for historical preservation, but also for the generation of new knowledge critical to national development and legislative advancement.
Under his leadership, the agency hit the ground running with qualified staff trained in library sciences, informatics, archiving, and legislative research. The foundation laid under Nwawuba’s leadership has ensured that NALTF is firmly positioned to meet its statutory mandate.
His aspiration is for NALTF to become a catalyst for legislative excellence across Africa, and a vibrant center for learning, research, and policy dialogue. The institution has since embarked on wide-ranging capacity-building initiatives for lawmakers, National Assembly staff, and personnel of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC).
According to Nwawuba, the core services of NALTF include the establishment of a functional e-library, digital archiving of legislative records using cutting-edge technology, policy research and analysis, capacity building, and the publishing of periodic reports and policy briefs.
The National Assembly Library Trust Fund was established by the NALTF Act, 2022, and was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari on February 10, 2023. It officially commenced operations on June 15, 2023, following the Board’s ratification of Hon. Nwawuba’s appointment.
Two years on, the Fund has made impressive strides in delivering on its mandate. It has become a center not only for preserving historical records but also for enhancing knowledge, training, and public engagement on governance and legislation. The administration’s commitment to national development through heritage preservation and informed legislative processes is evident in the agency’s ongoing achievements.
Abubakar Yusuf writes from Abuja.He can be reached via; yus.abubakar3@gmail.com
