As tenure extension fails, NASS moves toward Contract-Driven appointments

President Bola Tinubu’s decision to withhold assent to a bill seeking to extend the service years of legislative officers from 35 to 40 years and their retirement age from 60 to 65 has been widely praised as a demonstration of his commitment to upholding the integrity of the Public Service Rules.

Public servants hoping for career progression described the move as a welcome relief, noting that the current Public Service Act already allows for the retention of officers with specialized skills on short-term contracts to address critical institutional needs.

This legal framework has now been cited in support of the appointment of Emmanuel Rawlings Agada as the substantive Clerk of the Senate by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC). His confirmation was conveyed in a letter signed by NASC Chairman, Chief Saviour Enyiekere, following the commission’s 7th meeting held on August 6, 2025.

Agada, who previously served as Deputy Clerk of the Senate, has earned recognition for his role in guiding debates and resolving procedural challenges during plenary sessions.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other lawmakers reportedly acknowledged his competence, especially during periods when he filled in for the former Clerk, Andrew Nwoba.

At one point, Akpabio even approved a refresher course for Nwoba to enhance his understanding of chamber administration.

In his absence, Agada assumed the Clerk’s duties and was widely commended for his mastery of legislative rules and operations.

Over his career, Agada has served in both chambers of the National Assembly, represented Nigeria at the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa, and worked closely with former Senate Clerk Chinedu Akabueze, who retired in December 2024.

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Despite his appointment, Agada is approaching the statutory retirement age, prompting discussions on retaining him beyond his official service years. Sources within the Senate indicate that leadership, under Akpabio, is considering invoking Section 4 (02401) of the Public Service Rules to keep Agada on a contract basis for at least 12 months.

A senior National Assembly NASS staff member, speaking anonymously, said:

“Agada is one of our most senior and experienced legislative bureaucrats. Call him the last of the Titans and you won’t be wrong. The President’s decision not to extend retirement age aligns with existing civil service provisions. In specialized areas like ours, experienced hands can be retained post-retirement to mentor younger officers and sustain institutional memory.”

The development highlights a shift towards using contract appointments rather than tenure elongation to retain expertise within the legislative bureaucracy.