Abaribe, Oshiomhole, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Others Set for 2026 National Legislative Awards

Prominent lawmakers, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, are among distinguished legislators shortlisted for honours at the 2026 National Legislative Awards scheduled for July 9 in Abuja.

Organisers of the awards, HallowMace Africa and its partners, unveiled the final list of nominees across various categories ahead of the event, which has as its theme: "Celebrating Distinguished Leadership, Parliamentary Excellence, and Public Service."

According to a statement signed by the Head of Public Communications Desk of HallowMace Africa, Ambassador Oguh Hyginus John, the selection process combined public online voting and consultations with critical parliamentary stakeholders, including the National Assembly Press Corps, the Nigerian Conference of Speakers, the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) and the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (NASLAF).

The statement noted that the finalists emerged after what it described as a rigorous and transparent process aimed at recognising outstanding contributions to legislative development and democratic governance across the country.

Under the category of Most Outstanding Lawmakers in the National Assembly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Hon. Chike Okafor emerged as winners for the South-East in the Senate and House of Representatives respectively.

For the South-South, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Hon. Inombek Awaji-Abiante were selected, while Senator Solomon Olamilekan and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele tied for the South-West Senate category. Hon. Bamidele Salam emerged as the House of Representatives awardee for the zone.

In the North-Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Hon. Jonathan Gaza secured the Senate and House of Representatives honours respectively. Senator Mohammed Monguno and Hon. Ahmadu Usman Jaha were selected for the North-East, while Senator Sunday Katung and Hon. Sada Soli emerged from the North-West.

The organisers also announced winners in the category of Most Outstanding Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, selected through consultations with the Nigerian Conference of Speakers.

They include Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji; Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y. Suleiman; and Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu.

A special recognition and long service achievement award will be conferred on the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan.

In other categories, Dr. Cornelius Ikalumhe and Mr. Paul Adara Adiwu were named as the most outstanding parliamentary staff in the Senate and House of Representatives respectively, while Hajia Hauwa M. Lamin and Mr. Agwunobi Peter Anochie emerged as the most outstanding legislative aides.

Among parliamentary correspondents, Oyediya Agwu Nancy Urum of AIT was recognised in the Senate category, while Joke Adisa of TVC emerged in the House of Representatives category. Comrade Babalola Lukman Laleye of Emporium was named the outstanding parliamentary reporter in the new media category.

The awards ceremony will hold at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, beginning at 4 p.m.

Former President of the Senate in the Third Republic, Senator Ameh Ebute, will serve as chairman of the occasion, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki are expected as special guests of honour.

HallowMace Africa, which is hosting the event in partnership with ERGAF Africa, the International Goodwill Ambassador Club and the IsabellaAyuk Foundation, said the awardees had demonstrated exceptional commitment to legislative due process, effective constituency representation and the promotion of democratic values.

"These finalists have demonstrated uncommon dedication to legislative due process, constituency representation, and the advancement of democratic values. We thank the Nigerian public and our media and parliamentary partners for ensuring a credible selection process. July 9, 2026, will be a night of pure legislative honour," the organisers stated.

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