The Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, has received the Legislative Administration Leadership Award from the National Assembly New Media Forum in recognition of his visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to strengthening the administrative framework of Nigeria’s legislature.
The award was presented on Thursday, December 4, 2025, during a ceremony attended by legislative staff and members of the media community. Dr. Danzaria described the honour as a significant milestone in his lengthy career in public service, noting that he was deeply humbled by the recognition.
“I am particularly happy and grateful. I do not take this honour for granted,” he said, adding that despite his preference for working quietly behind the scenes, he was encouraged that his efforts had been acknowledged.
Dr. Danzaria reflected on his journey within the National Assembly, which began as a legislative staff officer before he rose through several key departments, including Legal Services, Public Affairs, and Finance and Supplies. He later served as Director of Public Affairs, a position that further exposed him to the pressures and demands of legislative communication.
He recalled that his early days at the National Assembly were marked by uncertainty and multiple reassignments, a phase he described as both a “legislative journey” and a broader public service adventure. Over time, he worked closely with various committees during critical constitutional transition periods, a responsibility that shaped his understanding of the institution and its evolving needs.
His pursuit of a diploma in journalism, he explained, further deepened his engagement with the media and strengthened his commitment to transparency and effective communication between the legislature and the public.
While speaking on his experience in public affairs, Dr. Danzaria highlighted the growing pressure on the National Assembly’s infrastructure due to the increasing number of journalists, content creators and influencers covering legislative activities.
“At the height of activities, between five and ten thousand people often found their way into the National Assembly for one engagement or another. This placed enormous pressure on our facilities, including internet services and available workspaces,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the National Assembly New Media Forum, its Chairman, Clement Nwabuko, commended Dr. Danzaria’s dedication and leadership, assuring him of the group’s full support.
“We hope this is just the beginning of our relationship. We will give you every support you need to succeed,” Mr. Nwabuko stated, recalling that the group was originally inaugurated under the Omolori-led management of the National Assembly.
He also drew attention to the longstanding challenges faced by online and non-traditional media practitioners in accessing workspace within the National Assembly complex.
“It has been a crisis for the mainstream media to accommodate the new media. Some even tried to stop them from entering the Press Centre,” he said, appealing to the Clerk to help address the issue by supporting the provision of a dedicated workspace for the forum.
In response, Dr. Danzaria reaffirmed his longstanding support for media practitioners, stressing the importance of having even the most modest space for professional work.
“No matter how small the space is, it is always better to have a place you can call your own,” he said, recalling previous instances where he personally facilitated workspace opportunities for various media associations.
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He further added by thanking the National Assembly New Media Forum for the recognition, describing the award as a renewed motivation to continue strengthening institutional systems and fostering a more productive relationship between the legislature and the media.
“This recognition means a lot to me, and I look forward to continued collaboration for effective legislative reportage, even beyond my years in public service,” he added.
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