Legislative clerks key to successful legislation in Nigeria — NILDS DG

Director General of National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies(NILDS) Professor Abubakar Sulaiman said clerks of legislative arms of government are crucial to the success and effectiveness of legislation in Nigeria.

Sulaiman who emphasised the critical roles being played by the clerks to the success of legislations in the country, said achieving good governance and constitutional mandates depends on the competence of legislative bureaucracy.

The DG spoke during a two-day capacity-building workshop on leadership development and innovative management skills for clerks of the state of Houses of Assembly in Nigeria in Abuja.

He explained that the workshop was necessary to present, “an opportunity to strengthen our collective capacity to enhance legislative efficiency, institutional resilience, and democratic governance.”

According to him, “You are the engine room of legislative activities through the coordinating role you play in your various Assemblies. Your leadership, administrative competence, and strategic guidance are essential for the smooth functioning of legislative processes and the successful implementation of financial and administrative autonomy.

“Recognising this crucial role, NILDS being the capacity-building hub for legislatures at all levels of government, has designed this intensive two-day capacity-building workshop to equip Clerks with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary for innovative and responsive leadership in legislative management.

“Our carefully selected resource persons, drawn from various fields of expertise, will offer valuable insights and practical strategies to address the complex challenges confronting legislative bureaucracies in Nigeria.”

The Chairperson, Forum of Clerk to State Houses of Assembly, Rukkaiya Adamu Jalo commended the DG and the management of NILDS for organizing the training for them, noting that it would help in no small measure to advance effectiveness of the legislature.