Abuja: The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) have inaugurated a collaborative partnership aimed at enhancing legislative and judicial capacity in Nigeria. Speaking at the inauguration of the initiative in Abuja on Friday, the Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, emphasized the importance of synergy between the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary for democracy to thrive.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Sulaiman highlighted that development and good governance are achievable only when the three arms of government work in harmony. He noted that NILDS, NJI, and the Public Service Institute (PSI) are pivotal institutions established by an Act of Parliament, underscoring the need for these agencies to collaborate effectively. Prof. Sulaiman stressed the importance of providing necessary tools and support to bolster the operations of the three branches of government. He also emphasized the need for reciprocal knowledge sharing between NILDS and NJI to build capacity within the national assembly and judiciary.
Justice Babatunde Adejumo, Administrator of NJI, also spoke about the initiative, describing the courtesy visit as an opportunity to understudy NILDS operations and explore collaboration areas. He expressed NJI’s interest in sharing insights on library records, publications, departmental operations, and organizational challenges. Justice Adejumo, a former President of the Industrial Court, highlighted the necessity of continuous training for judges through workshops, conferences, and seminars to keep pace with evolving legal concepts such as climate change and insecurity.
Adejumo stressed that training is crucial because the law is a dynamic tool for social engineering. He warned that failing to ensure stability through proper interpretation and application of legislation could lead to instability, hindering the country’s growth. He concluded by stating that a strong judiciary is vital for peace and stability, which are prerequisites for economic growth and international trade with Nigeria.