Abuja:The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, has urged the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to enhance its legislative administration. This call was made during the opening of a capacity-building program in Abuja, aimed at improving the skills of the Assembly’s Service Commission and Clerks-at-Table.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Sulaiman emphasized the importance of professionalism and institutional memory among parliamentary administration staff, noting that these factors, alongside the work of elected legislators, contribute to the effectiveness of the legislature. He praised the Nasarawa State Government for its commitment to workforce development through capacity-building initiatives, which he described as strategic investments in governance.
Sulaiman highlighted the role of parliamentary administrators as crucial to maintaining legislative procedures and records, and he urged them to become strategic managers and custodians of parliamentary memory. He stressed that clear procedures enhance the predictability and transparency of parliamentary business, while weak procedures could lead to inefficiency and conflict.
The director-general also underscored the significance of the state house of assembly service commission in fostering a competent and ethical legislative workforce. He discussed the need for financial autonomy to be balanced with accountability, advocating for responsible resource management and improved institutional performance.
Sulaiman encouraged the commission’s leadership to use the workshop to enhance systems, human-resource management, and to promote merit-based practices. He emphasized that institutional strength is built on the strength of its people, aligning with NILDS’ mandate to reinforce legislative and democratic institutions.
Participants were urged to apply the knowledge gained from the program to develop effective policies and systems that would improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the house of assembly. Sulaiman reaffirmed NILDS’ dedication to collaborating with Nasarawa State and other institutions to strengthen legislative capacity and governance.
Yusufu Ibrahim, representing the Chairman of the House of Assembly Service Commission, expressed gratitude to NILDS for the informative and beneficial training sessions. He invited further collaboration to enhance the capacity of legislative administrators.
Deputy Clerk Okugya Paul also thanked Sulaiman for the training, noting that it provided new insights and practical knowledge, which are expected to improve legislative administration and parliamentary duties. Paul expressed appreciation to the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly for approving the training program.