Emmanuel Rawlings Agada Appointed Clerk of the Senate
Emmanuel Rawlings Agada, who previously served as Deputy Clerk of the Senate, has been officially appointed as the new Clerk of the Senate.
His appointment was confirmed in a letter signed by Chief Saviour Enyiekere, Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), following the Commission’s 7th meeting held on August 6, 2025.
In his former role, Agada played a pivotal part in supporting the Senate’s leadership during plenary sessions.
He was particularly instrumental in addressing the gaps left by the underperformance of the former Clerk, Mr. Andrew Nwoba, especially during critical legislative moments.
Amid growing concerns about Nwoba’s competence, Senate President Dr. Godswill Akpabio approved a month-long refresher course in chamber administration for him. During Nwoba’s absence, Agada assumed the role of Acting Clerk and impressed the Senate leadership with his performance.
His deep understanding of Senate rules and procedures earned him widespread commendation and solidified his position as a preferred candidate among senators.
Even after Nwoba completed his refresher course, Agada was retained in the role, as Nwoba failed to meet expectations upon his return.
The Senate President’s quiet decision to keep Agada in the interim role was met with unanimous approval from Senate members.
Agada’s intelligence, competence, leadership qualities, and institutional knowledge have won him the admiration of many, particularly Senate President Akpabio.
According to insiders within the Senate and the Office of the Senate President, Agada is regarded as one of the most brilliant minds currently serving in the National Assembly.
However, Agada is approaching his statutory retirement, prompting the Senate leadership to begin the search for a suitable successor.
Nevertheless, discussions are underway to potentially extend his service through a short-term contractual arrangement—possibly up to one additional year—pending NASC approval.
This move would allow Agada to mentor upcoming officers and contribute further to the institutional memory and operational stability of the Senate.
Staff members describe Agada as one of the most experienced, versatile, and respected officers in the National Assembly, and many believe that every effort should be made to retain and benefit from his expertise while it is still available.
