Speaker Tajudeen calls for collective action to tackle transnational challenges

…Seeks youth inclusion in African democracy

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen on Tuesday  called for the need for collective action to address transnational challenges such as insecurity, migration, and democratic erosion. 

He also called for deeper collaboration within the Pan-African Parliament, ECOWAS Parliament, and bilateral legislative forums to harmonize laws, defend democratic standards, and advance a unified African agenda rooted in peace, prosperity, and the rule of law.

Hon. Tajudeen gave the charge in Abuja while declaring open the 2025 International Conference on Africa’s Democracy (ICAD) themed: ‘The role of Parliament in fostering Africa’s democracy and development’, organized by the Centre for Youth Participation in Dialogue and Advocacy (CYPA) Africa in partnership with Equity International initiatives

Speaker Tajudeen who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, said that the 10th House has sponsored deliberations and bills around education access, innovation financing, and youth employment, including the enactment of the Student Loan Act. 

ALSO READ: We’re committed to enacting laws to protect press freedom — Speaker Abbas

He said: “As we deliberate on the future of democracy in Africa, the importance of parliamentary solidarity across borders must be emphasized.

The challenges we face, ranging from insecurity to migration and democratic erosion are transnational, and so must be our responses.

“In this light, the Nigerian House of Representatives strongly supports deeper collaboration within the Pan-African Parliament, ECOWAS Parliament, and bilateral legislative forums.

“These platforms are not only avenues for shared learning but also critical instruments for harmonizing laws, defending democratic standards, and advancing a unified African agenda rooted in peace, prosperity, and the rule of law.

“The 10th House has also sponsored deliberations and bills around education access, innovation financing, and youth employment.

“Our work on enacting the Student Loan Act and related frameworks is aimed at reducing systemic barriers to higher education.

“Simultaneously, we have continued to invest in legislative frameworks that promote social accountability, gender parity, and peace architecture across communities prone to instability.

“While international partnerships remain valuable, the future of Africa lies in solutions anchored in indigenous governance systems and local realities.

“We must move beyond the fragility of donor-driven models and reimagine development as a process that flows from the people upward, not the top-bottom approach. 

“This is why parliaments must invest in local accountability, budget transparency, and inclusive policymaking particularly for marginalized communities and young people.

“Our legislative choices must reflect the lived experiences of our constituents, and our development models must be designed by Africans, for Africans, and with Africans at the center.

“As part of our legislative diplomacy, we are actively collaborating with African parliaments and continental bodies to strengthen inter-parliamentary engagement and harmonize development efforts in ways that reflect Africa’s evolving political realities. 

“Our collective resolve is to ensure that democracy is not only practiced but also lived by all citizens especially young people who hold the future of the continent in their hands.”

Speaker Tajudeen also revealed that the House is also investing in legislative frameworks that promote local accountability, budget transparency, and inclusive policymaking, particularly for marginalized communities and young people. 

He said that open parliament platforms and digital civic inclusion mechanisms have been initiated to close the gap between elected officials and citizens, democratizing access to information and fostering a culture of transparency and responsible governance.

“In aligning with the aspirations of young Africans, we have initiated open parliament platforms and digital civic inclusion mechanisms to close the gap between elected officials and citizens.

“These tools are helping to democratize access to information, reduce apathy, and foster a culture of transparency and responsible governance”, he said. 

The Speaker appreciated the organizers of the event, hoping that the perspectives of the participants will enrich the outcomes. 

“Let me appreciate the conveners of ICAD 2025, particularly CYPA Africa and their development partners, for bringing this initiative to life. I also thank the distinguished leaders, scholars, and youth stakeholders present at this conference. Your perspectives and insights will greatly enrich the outcomes of this important conversation.

“I encourage all participants to engage in robust and forward-looking deliberations. The insights generated here will be invaluable in shaping future legislative considerations and actions within the Nigerian parliament and across sister institutions on the continent,” Tajudeen said. 

 

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE