The Visionary Leader:
Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba
Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba is more than a legislator or an executive; he is a bridge-builder whose experience spans corporate innovation, legislative advocacy, and pioneering institutional development. This unique trajectory equips him with an insight that is driving the large-scale innovation at the National Assembly Library. He is a testament to the power of diverse experience harnessed for national development.
Education
Born in Imo State, his academic journey began with a First School Leaving Certificate from Bayero University Staff School, Kano (1981) and a Senior Secondary School Certificate from Federal Government College, Kano (1987).
He went on to bag a Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Hons) from the University of Jos, Nigeria (1992) and a Master of Science (MSc) in Business Computing from the University of Westminster, London, UK (1994).
The Private Sector:
Building Financial Empowerment
Before his foray into public service, Hon. Nwawuba demonstrated considerable entrepreneurial acumen. He was a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fortis Microfinance Banks Plc. in Abuja (2007) and served as CEO of NICNOC Nigeria Limited. This background provided him with crucial insights into wealth creation, financial inclusion, and the operational demands of running a large-scale enterprise—skills he has since leveraged in governance. His corporate years, including managing computer infrastructure at City of London Colt Technology Services in the UK, established a foundation of international best practices and technological foresight.
A Reform-Driven Lawmaker
From 2015 to 2023, Hon. Nwawuba served with distinction as the elected Member representing the Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives. His tenure was marked by an unwavering commitment to institutional reform and tangible legislative action.
He did not merely participate; he led. His pivotal roles included:
Chairman, House Committee on the Implementation of the Legislative Agenda (2019–2023):
In this critical role, he oversaw the strategic goals of the entire House, positioning him as an internal architect of institutional efficiency and accountability.
Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Niger Delta Ministry (2019–2023)
He was a leading voice in ensuring responsible governance and development in Nigeria’s oil-rich region, also captured in his book, “Niger Delta: Time to Take Responsibility.”
Chairman, House Ad-Hoc Committee on the Investigation of the Sales of Polaris Bank (2022)
This high-stakes assignment showcased his commitment to transparency and financial oversight, reinforcing public trust in governance.
Technical Committee on the Petroleum Industry Bill (2021)
He was instrumental in shaping the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), a landmark piece of legislation critical to the nation’s economic future.
Bills Sponsored
As a true legislative champion, he sponsored impactful bills like the South East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2019 and the Police Service Commission Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2020, demonstrating a national vision that prioritized regional equity and security sector reform.
Other Bills Sponsored/Co-sponsored by Hon. Nwawuba
- Federal University of Land Resources Bill, 2020
- Local Government Autonomy Bill
- National Boundary Commission Task Force (Establishment) Bill, 2020.
- National Emergency Management Agency (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
- Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
- Nigerian Constitution Amendment Bill.
- Petroleum Industry Bill (Served on Technical Committee twice).
- Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Bill
The Current Mandate: Pioneering the Future of Governance
Today, Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba serves as the Pioneer Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF). This is arguably his most strategic assignment yet—establishing the knowledge backbone for Nigeria’s democracy.
In this role, he is leveraging his vast legislative and technical experience to:
- Establish a world-class, digital-first knowledge repository.
- Preserve Nigeria’s legislative heritage through digital archiving.
- Empower current and future policy-makers with the research tools necessary for evidence-based decision-making.
Leadership Through Service
The consistent theme throughout Rt. Hon. Nwawuba’s career is the convergence of innovation, accountability, and empowerment.
His private sector experience taught him the importance of capital and scale; his time in the legislature instilled a deep understanding of policy and public interest; and his current executive role proves his ability to found and manage complex national institutions.
He has been nationally recognized as the Most Valuable Parliamentarian (MVP) of the Year (2020) and the Most Reform-Driven Parliamentarian (2020). These accolades, alongside his professional membership in bodies like the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, underscore his credibility and preparation.
Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba’s path—from the City of London to the floors of the National Assembly, and now to the command of a critical knowledge institution—is a clear trajectory of a leader whose vision for a prosperous, accountable, and technologically-driven Nigeria is not just theoretical, but grounded in a proven track record of tangible results. He is the leader who translates vision into reality.
Awards and Accolades
The Awards and Accolades Hon. Nwawuba has received are testaments to his widely recognized academic, leadership and public service commitments. His awards include:
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership, Commonwealth of Kentucky, USA (May 2025)
Iconic Leadership Award, Postgraduate Students’ Department of Public Administration, Nasarawa State University
Leadership Award of Excellence, Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership, Commonwealth of Kentucky, USA
Nigerian Library Association Brand Ambassador (November 2024)
Exemplary Leadership Award, Alumni Association of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative
Most Valuable Parliamentarian (MVP) of the Year (2020)
Most Reform-Driven Parliamentarian (2020)
Golden Service Award
Rotary Club Top 10 Parliamentarians to Watch (2021)
Professional bodies Hon. Nwawuba belong to include:
Registered Professional Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (PFRCN)
Institute for Business Development (IBD)
Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba
has also been honored with distinctions such as the Chieftaincy title of Ogbuhuruzo of Amaukwu Orodo (2016), Ambassador of Peace, Patron of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, and Grand Patron of Owerri Sports Club.
His published works include Niger Delta: Time to Take Responsibility (This Day Dailies, 2020) and The Journey so Far: Letter to My Great Constituents (Imo Trumpeta, 2020), reflecting his commitment to public discourse and accountability.
Residing in Abuja, Hon. Nwawuba continues to drive the mission of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, leveraging his extensive experience to advance knowledge management and legislative support for Nigeria’s development.