By Hassan Ibrahim
In the intricate machinery of Nigeria’s legislative arm, the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly (DCNA) serves as the vital connective tissue between administrative strategy and legislative execution. Occupying a high-stakes position within the National Assembly bureaucracy, the DCNA ensures continuity, coordination, and institutional stability.
Currently, this critical role is held by Engr. Bashir Aminu Yero, FNSE, whose responsibilities place him at the heart of legislative administration in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Often described as the “second and strong pillar of support,” the DCNA functions as the backbone of the National Assembly’s operational framework.
Under the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, presided over by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, GCON, the role of the DCNA has assumed even greater significance.
This is particularly evident in the pursuit of the Assembly’s “One-NASS” policy, aimed at fostering unity, efficiency, and seamless cooperation between the two chambers.
A Pillar of Administrative Continuity
While the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) sits at the apex of the bureaucracy, the DCNA operates as the principal lieutenant—translating legislative leadership’s vision into practical, day-to-day administrative outcomes.
Key responsibilities of the DCNA include:
Coordinating the Two Chambers: Serving as a bridge to ensure synchronized administrative workflows between the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Policy Implementation: Supervising the execution of civil service reforms within the National Assembly to equip staff for the demands of the 10th Assembly.
Strategic Advisory Role: Providing the CNA with technical data, procedural guidance, and institutional insights required for informed decision-making.
Supporting the Leadership of the 10th Assembly
The 10th National Assembly operates under a results-driven legislative agenda that demands efficiency, precision, and institutional discipline.
The DCNA supports this agenda by ensuring: Legislative Readiness: Guaranteeing that back-office operations—ranging from Hansard production to committee secretariat support—function seamlessly, allowing plenary sessions to proceed without disruption.
Institutional Memory: Acting as a custodian of legislative procedures, especially critical when leadership introduces complex bills or constitutional amendments.
Stability Amid Transition: Providing continuity in an era of political and governance evolution, ensuring that changes in leadership do not disrupt the Assembly’s institutional foundations.
Key Takeaway
The Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly is far more than a supporting officer. The position represents the engine room’s chief coordinator, ensuring that legislative ambitions are matched by administrative capacity.
Without this “strong pillar,” the bold objectives of the 10th National Assembly would lack the bureaucratic backbone required for effective governance.
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