By Nefishetu Yakubu
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies( NILDS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Training Institute.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the signing of the MoU took place at the during a benchmarking visit by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature delegation on Friday in Abuja.
The Director-General(DG) of NILDS, Abubakar Sulaiman, welcomed the Gauteng Legislature delegation and described the visit and the signing of the MoU as a milestone in strengthening bilateral institutional cooperation.
According to Sulaiman,Nigeria and South Africa share enduring ties rooted in democratic governance, constitutionalism, and African development.
He noted their leadership roles in shaping the continent’s political future.
He highlighted structural differences between the two legislatures but emphasised their shared mandates of lawmaking, oversight, and representation, which required strong capacity, research support, and continuous professional development.
Sulaiman described NILDS as Nigeria’s foremost legislative think tank, providing research, training, and institutional support while promoting knowledge exchange and best practices across Africa’s democratic institutions.
The DG said the MoU would establish strategic cooperation in legislative training, institutional frameworks, funding models, and sustainability, including plans for a Gauteng Legislature Training Institute.
“These are not mere technicalities but foundational elements for building resilient institutions capable of supporting lawmakers, staff, and policy actors in effective governance delivery,” he said.
He noted that the visit provided valuable platforms for reflection and shared learning, enabling both institutions to strengthen legislative effectiveness and improve governance outcomes for citizens.
Sulaiman urged active engagement, emphasising that the partnership was not ceremonial but a long-term collaboration built on shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to democratic excellence.
The NILDS DG expressed optimism that harmonising expertise would generate practical solutions to strengthen legislative development in South Africa and across Africa’s democratic landscape.
He reaffirmed NILDS’ commitment to productive discussions and the successful implementation of the MoU.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Mr Mpho Maloka, said the delegation’s visit aimed to learn from the experience of the NILDS and to explore collaboration in key institutional areas.
Maloka outlined priority areas, including frameworks for establishing a legislative institute, overcoming bureaucratic barriers, strengthening governance practices, and building trust to support sustainable institutional development initiatives.
He added that efforts would focus on developing administrative and subject-matter expertise, alongside designing tailored training programmes suited to the unique needs of parliamentary systems.
Maloka emphasised that these initiatives aligned with legislatures’ core mandates of lawmaking, oversight, and public participation within a democratic governance framework that guided institutional responsibilities.
He said the delegation was eager to understudy the achievements of the NILDS, and leverage its experience to enhance institutional capacity and improve legislative effectiveness in Gauteng Province.
Maloka expressed optimism about strengthening ties through the MoU, describing it as a pathway to deepen cooperation and foster long-term institutional collaboration.
The South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, was represented at the event by the Deputy Head of Mission, Madam Lindi Mminele(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
NY/KOO
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa
