Retaining National Assembly Institutional Memory: Why Rawlins Agada’s Service to The Nation Should Be Extended
By Anderson Osiebe
1 Introduction: The Value of Experience in Nation-Building
The mandatory retirement of public servants at age 60 is a standard practice across many civil services worldwide, including Nigeria’s. However, the exceptional contributions of certain individuals warrant special consideration to prevent the irreversible loss of institutional memory and expertise. Mr. Rawlins Agada, recently confirmed as the substantive Clerk of the Senate after a distinguished career, represents precisely such a case. His retirement on September 1, 2025, despite his pivotal role in modernizing Nigeria’s legislative administration, represents a significant loss to the nation’s governance capacity. This advocacy publication by the Hallowmace Foundation Africa argues for the creation of flexible mechanisms that allow the continued service of uniquely qualified individuals like Mr. Agada, ensuring that their wealth of experience continues to benefit the nation through mentorship, specialized consultancy, and leadership in critical initiatives.
2 Professional Background: A Career of Distinguished Service
Mr. Rawlins Agada’s career exemplifies the dedication and expertise that form the foundation of effective legislative governance. His journey through the National Assembly service demonstrates consistent excellence and innovation:
– Representation at International Bodies: Mr. Agada represented Nigeria with distinction at the Permanent Secretariat Desk of the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa and actively contributed to the legislative work of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland . These roles required diplomatic skill and deep understanding of global parliamentary procedures.
– Leadership in Staff Welfare: As President of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Mr. Agada was instrumental in advocating for staff welfare and institutional reforms that improved working conditions and operational efficiency within the National Assembly .
– Transformative Leadership as Director of Information and Research: Appointed to this position in May 2019, Mr. Agada spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives including:
Digitization of chamber proceedings, enhancing transparency and accessibility
Recalibration of accreditation protocols for National Assembly correspondents, improving media relations
Launch of the National Assembly’s New Media platform, modernizing citizen engagement
– Progressive Administrative Leadership: His appointment as Deputy Clerk (Administration) of the House of Representatives on June 26, 2023, and subsequent redeployment to the Senate where he served as Deputy Clerk (Administration) and later Deputy Clerk (Legislative), demonstrated his versatile expertise in both administrative and legislative functions .
3 Global Context: International Practices in Retaining Expertise
The retention of critical expertise beyond standard retirement age is consistent with international best practices in parliamentary administration worldwide:
– The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), where Mr. Agada represented Nigeria, emphasizes the importance of knowledge transfer and capacity building in strengthening parliamentary institutions globally . The IPU itself benefits from the service of experienced parliamentarians and officials who continue to contribute beyond their formal retirement.
– Many advanced democracies utilize flexible retirement policies that allow for the extension of service for exceptional contributors or the engagement of retirees in specialized consultancy roles. These arrangements recognize that institutional memory cannot always be replaced through standard succession planning.
– The United Nations system frequently engages retired officials as special envoys, consultants, and mentors, recognizing that their experience is invaluable for addressing complex challenges.
4 Rationale for Retaining Mr. Agada’s Services
4.1 Preservation of Institutional Memory
The National Assembly has undergone significant digital transformation and procedural modernization under Mr. Agada’s leadership. His sudden retirement risks creating a knowledge vacuum that could take years to fill, potentially slowing down ongoing reforms and initiatives.
4.2 Mentorship Capacity
Mr. Agada’s career provides a blueprint for excellence in parliamentary administration. Retaining his services would allow for the structured transfer of knowledge to younger administrators, ensuring that his expertise benefits multiple generations of public servants.
4.3 International Representation
Nigeria’s continued participation in bodies like the Pan-African Parliament and IPU requires representatives with deep institutional knowledge and established relationships. Mr. Agada’s network and experience make him uniquely qualified to represent Nigeria’s interests in these forums .
4.4 Completion of Ongoing Initiatives
As the architect of several digital transformation projects, Mr. Agada’s continued involvement would ensure the smooth implementation and institutionalization of these critical improvements to parliamentary operations.
4.5 Precedent for Knowledge Management
Creating a mechanism to retain Mr. Agada’s services would establish a valuable precedent for managing the retirement of other exceptional public servants, ensuring that Nigeria never unnecessarily loses the expertise of its most accomplished administrators.
5 Proposed Implementation Framework
We propose the creation of a Specialized Consultancy and Mentorship Role specifically designed to utilize Mr. Agada’s expertise through the following mechanisms:
– Senior Parliamentary Advisor: Appointment as a special advisor to the Clerk of the National Assembly on digital transformation and international parliamentary relations.
– Leadership Development Program: Establishment of a formal mentorship program under Mr. Agada’s guidance to develop the next generation of parliamentary administrators.
– Special Envoy for Parliamentary Relations: Representation of Nigeria’s parliamentary interests at international bodies including the IPU and Pan-African Parliament, where his existing relationships would be invaluable .
– Head of Transition Management: Leadership of knowledge transfer initiatives to ensure the preservation of institutional memory during leadership transitions.
6 Call to Action
We urge the following actions from Nigeria’s leadership:
- The National Assembly Service Commission should invoke provisions for the exceptional extension of service for uniquely qualified officials and immediately reinstate Mr. Agada in a suitable capacity.
- The Senate Leadership should advocate for the creation of a Senior Parliamentary Fellow position that would allow Mr. Agada to continue contributing to legislative excellence.
- The Federal Government should consider establishing a National Emeritus Program for exceptional retired public servants, creating formal pathways for their continued contribution to national development.
- The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) should endorse this initiative as part of its advocacy for knowledge management and institutional continuity.
7 Conclusion: Beyond Retirement to Legacy Building
Nations progress not only through policies but through the preservation and transmission of wisdom across generations. Mr. Rawlins Agada represents a national resource whose value extends beyond chronological age. His career embodies the expertise, innovation, and dedication that Nigeria needs to navigate complex governance challenges. By creating mechanisms to retain his services, Nigeria would not only benefit from his continued contributions but would also establish a progressive precedent for managing the transition of other exceptional public servants. The Hallowmace Foundation Africa stands ready to support the government in developing the frameworks necessary to retain our national icons like Mr. Agada, ensuring that their wisdom continues to serve the nation long after their formal retirement.
Hallowmace Foundation Africa
Advocating for Effective Governance Through Knowledge Preservation
Signed:
Anderson Osiebe
Executive Director
Hallowmace Foundation Africa
