1,200 National Assembly Workers Sit for Promotion Exam

1,200 employees from the National Assembly (NASS) and the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) participated in a promotional examination on Saturday.

The one-day examination, held in Abuja, included staff across all ranks, from junior to senior and managerial levels.

Speaking on the matter, the commission’s spokesperson, Emmanuel Anyigor, clarified that the exam was not connected to the recent retirement of some staff, describing it as an annual exercise.

He stated, “Not less than 1,200 staff of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Service Commission sat for the exams. The exam, which is a one-day examination, covers all levels.

“The exam has nothing to do with the retirement of staff; it has been in the work before now. Staff of both NASS and NASC usually take promotional exams every year, and this is one of such promotional exams.”

Earlier reports revealed that around 30 senior officials, including the Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Tambawal, are set to retire.

Tambawal began his pre-retirement leave on 1 November 2024, handing over responsibilities to his deputy, Kamoru Ogunlana. Appointed acting clerk in November 2022 and confirmed in March 2023, Tambawal is scheduled to officially retire in February 2025 upon reaching 60.

During his pre-retirement leave, he will not undertake any official tasks.

Other notable retirees include the Clerk to the Senate, Chinedu Akabueze, the Deputy Clerk to the Senate, the Deputy Clerk to the House of Representatives, 11 directors, six deputy directors, one assistant director, and two directors at the NASC.

This wave of retirements follows President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to sign a bill proposing an extension of the retirement age for parliamentary staff.

The proposed legislation aimed to raise the retirement age from 60 to 65 years or increase the service duration from 35 to 40 years. The existing law stipulates retirement at 60 years of age or after 35 years of service.

The bill, initially introduced during the 7th Assembly, failed to gain traction and was reintroduced in subsequent assemblies.

It progressed through the 10th Assembly under sponsorship by the Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Aliyu Madaki (NNPP, Kano). After passing a second reading in October 2023, it was approved by the House on 20 December 2023.

Although initially rejected by the Senate, the bill was passed on March 31, 2024, and sent to the President.

With the President’s refusal to assent, a significant number of directors are set to retire between October and December 2024, with further retirements expected next year.