Abuja: Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has commended the management of the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) for fulfilling its mandate. Akpabio specifically praised the Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, and his management team for providing lawmakers with regular refresher programmes and training opportunities. He expressed these views while presiding over the board meeting at NILDS headquarters in Abuja, which was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Abbas Tajudeen, who serves as the alternate chairman of the board.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Akpabio emphasized the importance of NILDS in realizing its core objectives, highlighting its postgraduate and doctoral programmes conducted in partnership with universities. He noted the institute’s recent commencement of training programmes for National Assembly staff as an important step toward institutional strengthening. Akpabio proposed that NILDS should be tasked with conducting induction programmes for incoming senators and members of the House of Representatives after the 2027 elections, suggesting the institute’s facilities are adequate for such events.
Akpabio also praised the NILDS management team for their efforts in maintaining the institute’s headquarters, acknowledging the facility as impressive and well-managed. He expressed his satisfaction with the upkeep of the premises, noting the challenges associated with maintaining such an edifice. Prof. Sulaiman briefed the board on the institute’s achievements and ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing legislative and democratic governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Sulaiman outlined the institute’s mandate to enhance the capacity of legislators at federal, state, and sub-regional levels through research and training. He revealed that NILDS now operates 12 departments, including a radio station, and maintains partnerships with several universities across the country. The institute collaborates with the University of Benin, University of Abuja, and Federal University of Lokoja on academic programmes, showcasing its commitment to academic and legislative excellence.