Evolution of the National Assembly Service Commission

Name	Position
Alh. Dr. Othman Ladan-Baki	Chairman
Dr. Simi Johnson	Member
Mr. James Taggert	Member
Alh. Abbas Hanma	Member
Mr. V. E. Equali	Member
Mr. H. A. Reuben Daka	Member
Mr. A. Jatau Fikiya	Member

The First Commission was dissolved following the military takeover of 1985.

Second Commission

The Second Commission was established by the NASC Act 2000 and inaugurated in June 2001 with the following Membership:

Third Commission

The Third Commission was inaugurated in September 2006 with the following Membership:

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION

The powers and functions of the National Assembly Service Commission as provided in Section 7 of the National Assembly Service Act, 2014 (as Amended) are as follows:

• Formulate and implement guidelines for its functions;
• Appoint persons to hold or act in the office of:
  • The Clerk to the National Assembly;
  • The Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly;
  • The Clerk of the Senate;
  • The Clerk of the House of Representatives;
  • Deputy Clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives;
  • Secretaries to Directorates and all other offices in the Service.

For the purpose of administering the National Assembly Service, the Commission is statutorily empowered to make appointments, promotions, transfers, confirmations, dismissals, and exercise disciplinary control over its staff, as well as regulate its proceedings and conduct.

CONDUCT OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMMISSION

The Commission is the policy-making body whose decisions are implemented by the Management of the Commission and the National Assembly. Members are appointed on a full-time basis and hold statutory weekly meetings. Activities are processed through Standing Committees before final deliberation.

Earlier Commissions operated seven (7) Standing Committees:

• Establishment Committee
• Senior Staff Committee
• Junior Staff Committee
• Documentation, Research and Records Committee
• Tenders Committee
• Finance and General Purpose Committee
• Welfare Committee

The 5th Commission currently operates ten (10) Standing Committees:

• Finance and General Purpose
• Administration and Employee Relations
• Planning, Research and Information Technology
• Procurement and General Services
• Zonal Offices and Legislative Aides
• Promotions and Discipline
• Establishment, Records and Training
• Public Affairs
• Appeals and Legal Services

STRUCTURE OF THE COMMISSION

• Office of the Chairman (OCC)
• Office of the Commissioners (OCMRS)
• Office of the Secretary to the Commission (OSC)
• Administration & Employee Relations
• Finance and Accounts
• Planning, Research & Information Technology
• Establishment, Records & Training
• Promotions and Discipline
• Procurement and General Services
• Zonal Offices and Legislative Aides
• Public Affairs
• Appeals and Legal Services

As at June 2021, the Commission had a total staff strength of 433, comprising 389 senior and 44 junior staff.

ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION

The Commission has undertaken extensive activities in line with its mandate, including staff recruitment, appointment of Legislative Aides, production of operational documents, staff promotions, screening exercises, resolution of appeals and petitions, management retreats, and advocacy for the establishment of State Assembly Service Commissions.

ON-GOING DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES

• Construction of a Permanent Office Complex
• ICT Upgrade and Digitalization of Records
• Internet Infrastructure Expansion
• Upgrade of Library to an e-Library
• Establishment of a Health Clinic
• Development of a Training Policy
• Review of Conditions and Schemes of Service

CHALLENGES

• Inadequate funding
• Lack of a permanent office complex
• Other operational constraints

CONCLUSION

The 5th Commission remains committed to repositioning the National Assembly Service to ensure a conducive working environment for effective legislative functions.

Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi, FNSE
Executive Chairman
National Assembly Service Commission
June, 2021.