The Clerk to the House of Representatives, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, has bowed out of the service of the National Assembly.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen announced Danzaria’s retirement from service during plenary today.
Abbas announced Ibrahim Sidi as the new Clerk to the House of Representatives.
A brief valedictory session was held in honour of the outgoing Clerk, during which lawmakers extolled his virtues of hardwork, integrity and dedication to service.
In his valedictory address, Abbas lauded Dr Danzaria’s services and contributions to the development of the legislature, and democracy by extension.
The Speaker said, “Today, the House gathers in solemn recognition of service. We meet not just to mark the passage of time but to honour a career dedicated to the stability, integrity, and continuity of parliamentary democracy. This valedictory session celebrates the tenure of the outgoing Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya H. Danzaria.”
While saying that in every democratic legislature, elected authority must operate within a lasting institutional framework, the Speaker noted that this framework is upheld by procedure, order, records, and professional administration.
“The Office of the Clerk stands at the heart of this responsibility. It provides continuity beyond electoral cycles, safeguards the legitimacy of parliamentary decisions, and ensures that debate, disagreement, and consensus all occur within lawful bounds,” he said.
According to Abbas, Dr. Danzaria served in the sensitive office “with clarity, discipline, and restraint,” adding that the outgoing clerk’s career within the National Assembly “reflects steady progress built on competence and learning.”
Trained in law and further grounded in public administration and policy analysis, the Speaker said Danzaria combined legal precision with administrative insight in parliamentary work.
“He understood that procedure is not ceremonial. It is functional. It exists to protect minority rights, preserve order, and ensure that decisions of the House can withstand legal and constitutional scrutiny,” the Speaker added.
He noted that among Dr Danzaria’s most important institutional contributions was his role in supporting the formulation and implementation of the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House.
He added that the Clerk also played a key role in revising the Standing Orders of the House.
On his part, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, eulogised Danzari for his humility, diligence and dedication to assignments.
Other lawmakers including Hons. Ali Isah, Sada Soli and Mariam Onuoha who spoke during the session, all paid glowing tributes to Danzaria saying, the legacy he left behind would always be remembered by the House.
