NILDS, IPaB unveil joint plan to boost legislative excellence in W’Africa
By EricJames Ochigbo
The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and Parliamentary Institute of Benin (IPaB), have commenced a three-year implementation programme to strengthen legislative institutions and promote democratic governance across West Africa.
Speaking at the opening of a joint implementation workshop in Cotonou, Benin Republic, Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, emphasised the importance of translating partnership principles into measurable impact and sustainable results.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN),reports that the purpose of the workshop was to develop, validate and adopt a three-year work-plan for the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both institutes, singed in November 2024.
Sulaiman said that the scope and ambition of the collaboration speak directly to the pressing need to strengthen legislative institutions across West African sub-region.
According to him, it is to build capacity, foster democratic resilience and contribute to peace, development and regional integration through knowledge exchange and institutional synergy.
“As two institutions committed to the advancement of legislative excellence, NILDS and IPaB must work closely to leverage their comparative advantages and share best practices.
“They have to design joint programmes in research, training, legislative strengthening and parliamentary diplomacy.
“This workshop will provide the platform for aligning our priorities and ensuring that the framework we adopt is practical, measurable, and responsive to the evolving needs of our parliaments and the citizens we ultimately serve.
“Together, we can contribute meaningfully to the strengthening of democratic governance, not only in our respective countries but across the ECOWAS sub-region.,” he said.
Sulaiman who was a former Minister of National Planning, encouraged both institutions to bring to bear their collective experience, wisdom and innovation in shaping a work-plan that reflects common aspirations and delivers tangible outcomes.
The D-G said that NILDS remained fully committed to the partnership and look forward to continued collaboration through staff exchanges, technical assistance, joint publications, policy dialogues and mutual support in fulfilling institutional mandates.
In his remarks, the Director of IPaB, Dr Sedami Fagla said that the workshop was the culmination of series of works done since January 2025.
He said both institutes would collaborate on study on democracy, training of legislators and support staff as well as good governance.
Fagla expressed confidence that the partnership would have a positive impact on the parliament of both countries.
The IPaB director said that she strongly believed in the partnership and remained committed along with her entire team. (NAN)
Editted by Abdulfatai Beki/Francis Onyeukwu
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