By Jonathan Lois
As it marks five years of shaping parliamentary journalism in Nigeria, The Parliament Diary is set to roll out the drums on Thursday, July 31, 2025, with a high-level event that underscores its growing influence in the nation’s legislative space.
The commemorative event, scheduled for 1:00 PM at the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja, will feature a keynote lecture, awards presentation, and the official unveiling of a N250 million Digital Press Initiative aimed at redefining legislative reporting in the digital age.
Founded in 2020, The Parliament Diary has grown into Nigeria’s foremost publication dedicated to legislative affairs, carving a niche for itself through consistent, timely, and insightful coverage of parliamentary activities, governance processes, and public policy debates. The publication has become a go-to resource for lawmakers, policy analysts, civil society actors, and citizens interested in the workings of the National Assembly.
The anniversary event is expected to draw participants from across the legislative, executive, and media landscapes, as well as civil society organisations and the diplomatic corps.
Renowned academic and Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at Gowon University FCT (formerly University of Abuja), Professor Phillip Adeyinka Oyadiran, will deliver the keynote lecture, providing intellectual depth to the occasion.
A major highlight of the day will be the formal launch of The Parliament Diary’s N250 million Digital Press Initiative—a bold, technology-driven project aimed at revolutionizing how legislative proceedings are reported and accessed by the public. The initiative seeks to deploy world-class digital infrastructure to support real-time coverage of parliamentary sittings, committee meetings, and oversight functions. It will also feature an online repository for legislative data and citizen engagement tools that promote transparency and accountability.
Speaking on the upcoming event, the management of The Parliament Diary described the initiative as “a transformative step towards building an inclusive and tech-driven media ecosystem that strengthens democratic participation.”
In addition to the lecture and project launch, the anniversary celebration will feature an awards presentation segment, honouring individuals and institutions whose contributions have advanced parliamentary democracy and quality journalism in Nigeria. Among the awardees are expected to be legislators, media professionals, and civic leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to legislative development and public accountability.
The event is open to members of the press, public officials, civil society organisations, and the general public. Organisers say it will be both a moment of reflection and a projection into the future of legislative journalism in a fast-evolving digital landscape.
As Nigeria grapples with the challenge of bridging the gap between the legislature and the people, The Parliament Diary’s five-year journey—and its ambitious new digital direction—signal a deepening commitment to transparency, inclusion, and innovation in democratic reporting.