NILDS calls for stronger research, capacity-building to improve legislation

The National Institute for Legislative & Democratic Studies (NILDS) says stronger research, capacity-building is vital in improving legislation.

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman made this declaration at the opening of the 6th capacity-building workshop for the Institute’s academic staff.

The two-day event was held in collaboration with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, a German political foundation.

Prof. Sulaiman said in 2023, NILDS prioritized staff training and capacity building on international and national programmes in line with International best practices.

He said this was to ensure that the Institute was well equipped to deliver on its mandate to build the capacity for members of the national and state assemblies respectively.

“A review of NILDS activities in 2023 shows clearly that staff training and capacity building have translated in enhancing staff performance. In the areas of bill analysis, bill drafting, and scrutiny, research and policy analysis, as well as stakeholder engagement with our principals and other democratic actors, NILDS has improved on all fronts,” he said.

The NILDS Chief Executive said so far,  research, policy analysis, and policy briefs increased from 85 in 2022 to 151 in 2023.

He added that drafted motions increased from 22 in 2022 to 48 in 2023, despite being an election year; while bill drafting and analysis also increased from 225 in 2022 to 312 in 2023.

“Despite these laudable achievements, we must not relent in seeking new avenues for growth through staff training and re-training. It is for this reason that this workshop, just like the previous ones, has been organized.”