A significant assembly of Nigeria's political elite converged on the nation's capital on Saturday, January 10, 2026, marking a pivotal moment of dialogue and reflection. The occasion was the 60th Birthday Colloquium of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
A Gathering of Titans at Transcorp Hilton
The high-profile event, held at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, transformed a celebratory gathering into a serious forum for national discourse. The colloquium was chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, setting a tone of gravitas for the discussions. The guest list read like a who's who of Nigerian opposition and civil society, fueling intense political conversations across the country.
Key figures in attendance included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and former Senate President David Mark. Although not physically present at the initial report, former President Goodluck Jonathan was officially listed as the Special Guest of Honour for the event.
Jega's Keynote on Nigeria's Democratic Pathway
The intellectual core of the colloquium was a keynote address delivered by former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega. His presentation was titled "The future of democratic governance in Nigeria: Pathways to national cohesion, human security and economic renewal."
Organisers clarified that the forum was deliberately designed to provide a platform for critical reflection on Nigeria's democratic journey. The focus was squarely on identifying and discussing the necessary reforms to strengthen national governance, unity, and progress.
Broad Spectrum of Dignitaries in Attendance
The event's significance was underscored by the diverse and powerful array of guests from various sectors of national life. Religious leadership was represented by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah.
The political class was represented in full force, including numerous former governors and lawmakers:
- Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi
- Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi
- Former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje
- Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal
- Former Speaker, Yakubu Dogara
- Former Edo State Governor, Oserheimen Osunbor
- Former Gombe State Governor, Alhassan Dankwambo
- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe
Other notable personalities included Professor Pat Utomi, former Deputy Speaker Austin Opara, and former Minister Solomon Dalung.
A close associate of the celebrant highlighted the symbolic nature of the event, noting that Tambuwal's 60th milestone was being marked "with ideas rather than ceremony." They emphasized that the colloquium perfectly reflected his long-standing commitment to fostering dialogue, upholding democratic values, and advocating for meaningful national development.
