NILDS Emerges as Regional Hub for Legislative Development

By Aremu Toyeebaht

The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has further cemented its reputation as Africa’s premier legislative think tank and training ground, with the hosting of lawmakers from Nigeria and Malawi at its state-of-the-art facility in Abuja.

While the House Committee on Library, Research and Documentation, led by Hon. Yusuf Galambi, was on an oversight visit, over a dozen Malawian parliamentarians and staff were undergoing a capacity-building training themed “Repositioning Parliamentary Administration in a Changing Global Environment.”

The Director General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, personally led the Nigerian lawmakers on a tour of the institute’s expansive infrastructure, including its digital library, multi-capacity auditoriums, training halls, and the Conference of Speakers of African Legislatures (COSPAL) Secretariat.

Prof. Sulaiman stated, “NILDS is more than a legislative support institution, it is fast becoming a regional hub for democratic strengthening and parliamentary diplomacy,”

The Nigerian lawmakers were visibly impressed with facilities such as:
• The 270-, 150-, 70-, and 60-seater auditoriums;
• A digitally enabled library with technical, serial, and archival resources;
• The open arena for high-level ceremonies;
• Ongoing construction work on classrooms, offices, and conferencing wings.

The event also served as a diplomatic bridge, with Prof. Sulaiman encouraging the Government of Malawi to establish an embassy in Nigeria, deepening bilateral ties between both nations.

“This convergence of lawmakers from Nigeria and Malawi shows that African democracies can collaborate to build stronger, more responsive institutions,” he noted.

Hon. Galambi, Chairman of the Committee, praised the institute’s role in enhancing legislative capacity and governance across Africa: “This isn’t just about infrastructure. It’s about vision, capacity, and impact. NILDS is setting the benchmark for legislative institutions on the continent.”

As African parliaments face increasing demands to deliver in fast-changing environments, NILDS’ role in shaping a new generation of parliamentary professionals and fostering legislative diplomacy is drawing international recognition.