The National Assembly Complex in Abuja is set to host a gathering of some of Nigeria’s most influential political, diplomatic, and public service figures on 29 June 2026, as The Parliament Diary Newspaper stages the sixth edition of its annual Lecture Series and Award Ceremony.
The event, tagged “Steering the Ship: Building a Resilient Nigeria,” is expected to provide a platform for critical discussions on governance, legislative leadership, economic reforms, and nation-building, while recognising outstanding contributions from individuals and institutions across sectors.
According to the organisers, the lecture series has evolved into one of the country’s foremost policy and leadership forums, bringing together key stakeholders to examine solutions to Nigeria’s pressing national challenges.
Former lawmaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Protocols, Treaties and Agreements in the 9th National Assembly, Rt will chair the event.
Dr Ossai Nicholas Ossai, while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike will serve as the Chief Guest of Honour.
Other notable dignitaries expected at the event include the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources, Senator AbdulAziz Abubakar Yari, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Also expected are the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Rt. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, former President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, ESV Victor Adekunle Alonge, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bauhaus International Limited, Chief Dr Victor Chukwuemeka Onukwugha, and INEC Commission Secretary, Mrs Rose Omoa Oriaran-Anthony.
The royal father of the day will be HRH Barr. Joel S. Aninge, PhD, MFR, Odyong Nyankpa of Nyankpa Chiefdom, while Dr Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, Chairperson of the Senators’ Spouses Association, will serve as Mother of the Day.
Providing the intellectual anchor for the programme, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, Prof. Oyadiran Phillip Adeyinka, is expected to deliver the keynote address. His presentation will focus on legislative leadership, fiscal reforms, and the institutional resilience required to strengthen governance and economic development in Nigeria.
A major highlight of the event will be the conferment of awards on distinguished Nigerians whose contributions have made significant impacts in governance, public service, diplomacy, real estate, academia, humanitarian service, and civil society.
Among the top award recipients are Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, who will receive the Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award; Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, recipient of the Outstanding Governor of the Year Award for Governance and Development; and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who will be honoured as Outstanding Politician of the Year.
Others include Senator AbdulAziz Abubakar Yari, recipient of the Africa’s Legislative Leader for Humanitarian Impact and National Unity Award; Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, named Best Performing Senator of the Year; and Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, who will receive the Outstanding Public Officer of the Year Award.
Additional honours will go to Rt. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her contributions to diaspora affairs and legislative advocacy; Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite for fiscal reform and economic transformation; Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu for advancing Nigerian diplomacy; and Dr Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio, who will receive the Mother of the Nation Award for Compassionate Leadership.
The organisers also announced recognitions for several professionals and institutions, including the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the African Law Development and Reform Project (ALDRAP), leaders in veterinary science, disability advocacy, humanitarian services, diaspora engagement, and public administration.
Speaking ahead of the event, the management of The Parliament Diary Newspaper described the lecture series as more than an award ceremony, noting that it is designed to stimulate national conversations on leadership and institutional development.
“Nigeria is at a critical juncture. The theme ‘Steering the Ship’ is a call to leaders across government, traditional institutions, the private sector, and civil society to build resilient institutions capable of withstanding future challenges.
While we celebrate those already making meaningful contributions, we also seek to inspire others to embrace transformative leadership,” the organisers said.
The ceremony is expected to attract senators, members of the House of Representatives, governors, ministers, diplomats, traditional rulers, business leaders, and civil society organisations, reinforcing its reputation as one of Abuja’s major legislative and policy gatherings. Interested participants, partners, and sponsors have been encouraged to contact the organisers through the designated telephone lines and email channels provided by The Parliament Diary Newspaper.
