National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)

Muhyideen Jimoh
Apr, Mon, 2025

Improved funding of NILDS ‘ll strengthen democracy—-D-G

91 total views today

By EricJames Ochigbo

Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, says improved and timely funding of the institute will strengthen democracy and enhance naira stability.

Sulaiman said this at the matriculation ceremony of the newly- admitted 244 students into Higher National Diploma and NILDS/UNIBEN Post-graduate programmes for the 2024/2025 academic session in Abuja on Monday.

He described NILDS as the capacity building arm of the legislature and other democratic institutions in the country.

According to him, the institute is positioned to enhance the development of the legislature in Nigeria and beyond through capacity building.

The director-general noted that the growth and development of the legislature was disrupted in the first, second and third republics.

He said that the fourth republic, therefore, offered Nigeria the opportunity to invest in the growth and development of the legislature ‘which is the fulcrum of democracy’.

“Scientific evidence continues to show that there is correlation and bi-directional causal relationship between investment in the quality of human capital development and overall national development.

“As we get more funds for capital development, we will complete other projects that include the 1,000-seater capacity auditorium that will enable us hold seminars for all students on cross-cutting aspects of democracy and development.

“With increased funding and timely release of funds, NILDS will also continue to strengthen the capacity of legislative and democratic institutions in our country.

“Through our tailored programmes, such as the Advanced Executive Education Programme (AEEP), NILDS will also help to reduce the pressure on the naira through its executive courses that rivals those offered by global training institutions.

“This will thus help to reduce the pressure on the naira for international trainings, as such programmes would be held here in NILDS,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the available courses in the institute include: Masters in Constitutional Law and Development, Masters in Legislative Studies as well as Masters in Elections and Party Politics.

Others are: Masters in Legislative Drafting, Masters in Parliamentary Administration and Postgraduate Diploma in Elections and Party Management and Postgraduate Diploma in Parliamentary Administration.

Postgraduate Diploma in Legislative Studies and Postgraduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting are also offered by the institute

Sumaiman said that the increase in the number of enrolment from 130 in 2024 to 244 was a testament to the increase in the quality of academic programmes at NILDS.

This, he said, had resulted from the support of the National Assembly and the Federal Government.

He urge the matriculating students to adhere to the rules and regulations contained in the Student Handbook.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Bright Omoregie, urged the students to take advantage of the core objectives of their various programmes.

“I charge the matriculating students to engage meaningfully with the faculty and other resource persons during this academic journey.

“The core objective of NILDS is to consolidate and bring to the knowledge of all concerned, the ideals of an egalitarian society in a scholarly environment.

“This is by providing continuous academic discourse and invention that are in zinc with global best practices.

“This is with the view that Nigeria practices democracy and legislative governance, as done in other democratic environments,” he said.

The vice-chancellor said that UNIBEN was focused of raising men and women who would be certified worthy in character and learning, as enshrined in it motto “Knowledge and Service”

Omore, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) highlighted the philosophy of the school to include: hard work, diligence, invention, discipline, honesty, fairness, equity and scholarship.

All these, he said, had been kept by the institution for the past 50 years. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

NILDS D-G calls for effective oversight of private security companies

Muhyideen Jimoh
Mar, Tue, 2025

Politics

NILDS D-G calls for effective oversight of private security companies

266 total views today

By EricJames Ochigbo

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), has called for effective oversight of private security companies in the country.

Sulaiman made the call at the opening of a workshop on Private Security Governance and Legislative Oversight in Nigeria

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that workshop was organised by NILDS, in partnership with African Law Foundation (AFRILAW) and Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)

NAN also reports that the workshop was organised for chairmen and clerks of security- related committees in the National Assembly.

Sulaiman said that the role of the private security sector in Nigeria had become increasingly crucial in augmenting public security and ensuring the safety of lives and property.

He said that private security industry in Nigeria had witnessed exponential growth in recent years, with well over 1,500 registered companies providing security services.

According to him, their services now go beyond the traditional guarding, to include more technical services like private surveillance and investigative services.

He said that while the growth presented opportunities to improve national security and job creation, it also gave rise to a new set of governance challenges, which required effective oversight by the legislature.

Sulaiman said that with the evolving security landscape, driven by complex and emerging threats such as insurgency, banditry, cyber threats and transnational crimes, it was imperative to strengthen the governance and oversight of private security operations in the country.

“As chairmen and clerks of security-related committees, your roles in enacting effective legislation and ensuring diligent oversight cannot be overstated.

“Robust legislative oversight is fundamental to ensuring that the private security sector operates within the framework of national laws, adheres to international best practices and complements the efforts of state security agencies in maintaining peace and order,” he said.

The director-general stressed the need for urgently amending the Private Guard Companies Act, 1986 which is the primary law regulating private security companies in the country.

He said that the law was crafted without consideration to the current private security landscape or evolving threats.

Sulaiman further stated that the workshop would provide an opportunity to examine international experiences, best practices and key legislative interventions that could be applied to enhance the effectiveness, accountability and professionalism of the sector.

In her remarks, the Programme Manager of DCAF, Ms Gabrielle Prinklopilova, said that the centre, established in 2000, was an initiative of Swiss Government.

Prinklopilova also said that the organisation, governed by a foundation council of 40 member-states, offered support to states, international organisations and civil society organisations to build effective, inclusive and accountable security institutions, guided by international norms and practices.

“We help states regulate private military and security companies and to ensure that the operations align with legal standards, human rights and public security needs.

“We also develop national regulatory frameworks and we are here with our esteemed partner, to work with them to strengthen regulatory frameworks in Nigeria,” she said.

Chairmen of House of Representatives Committees on Police Affairs and Army, expressed their willingness to champion the amendments of relevant laws regulating the sector.

The Chairman of the Committee on Army, Rep. Aminu Balele (APC-Katsina), represented by Rep. David Ogewu (APC-Benue), said that every Nigerian had a role to play in the security of the country.

He said that the national assembly had been very committed to security matters, as seen in the budgetary allocation to the sector.

The lawmaker said that the committee was looking forward to the outcome of the workshop, as its own contribution to legislative and policy formulation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

NILDS D-G urges stakeholders to enhance maritime safety

Muhyideen Jimoh
Mar, Mon, 2025

Politics

NILDS D-G urges stakeholders to enhance maritime safety

266 total views today

By EricJames Ochigbo

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), has called on stakeholders in the blue and maritime sector to develop solutions that ensure maritime safety.

Sulaiman made the call on Monday in Abuja at the opening of a policy dialogue on “Harnessing the Potentials of the Blue and Marine Economy,” organised by NILDS.

He highlighted how countries such as Singapore, Norway, and the United States had strategically utilised marine resources to drive GDP growth while ensuring environmental sustainability.

He noted that numerous studies had consistently recognised Nigeria’s potential in the blue economy.

Sulaiman, who cited data from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), reeled out the opportunities in shipping, maritime trade, and other offshore activities that could significantly boost Nigeria’s economic development.

“While Nigeria has made progress in tapping into its maritime and blue economy potential, insights from the 2024 Maritime Day highlight that the sector remains exposed to global challenges.

“These challenges include maritime safety and security, environmental threats, and the need for sustainable shipping practices,” he said.

Sulaiman urged participants to engage constructively and propose innovative solutions, assuring that NILDS would ensure that the outcomes of the policy dialogue informed legislative actions shared with policymakers.

The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Bola Oyebamiji, explained that the blue economy was not just a concept but a key driver of sustainable growth.
Represented by Mr Mohammed Dangana, Head of Special Duties at NIWA, Oyebamiji noted that economic activities such as fishing, tourism, renewable energy, and maritime transport depended on a thriving maritime environment.

“Effective policy frameworks are essential in unlocking the full potential of the blue economy.

“By implementing sound regulations and promoting sustainable practices, we can create an environment where businesses thrive while ensuring the marine ecosystem remains healthy for future generations,” he stated.

A former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, stressed that the blue economy was Nigeria’s easiest route to breaking free from a mono-economy.

He identified energy supply as one of the major challenges hindering Africa’s economic progress, urging synergy between the power, petroleum, and marine ministries to fully harness the benefits of the blue economy.

“One of the most critical issues in the blue economy is renewable energy. Nigeria and other African nations cannot develop industries without adequate energy supply.

“The ministries of petroleum and marine economy must work together to optimize marine resources,” Jamoh said.

He further emphasised the need for legislative backing to ensure that recommendations from such policy dialogues were implemented rather than remaining theoretical discussions.

In a paper presentation, Prof. Christopher Ekong of the Department of Economics, University of Uyo, underscored the importance of harnessing Nigeria’s blue economy for economic diversification and sustainable development.

“With strategic policies, investment in innovation, and strengthened governance, Nigeria can unlock the vast potential of its blue economy resources.

“Embracing the blue economy will not only reduce the nation’s reliance on oil but also create a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable future,” Ekong said.

The dialogue concluded with a strong call for policy-driven actions, enhanced collaboration, and investment in marine innovation to transform Nigeria’s blue economy into a key driver of national economic growth. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa