By Lekan Olagunju
Democracy recognises the legislature as an institution for law making, representation and oversight because the legislature prevents both the executive and judiciary from “getting out of line.” In 1999, Nigeria inaugurated its fourth phase of civilian governance but democracy met a parliament that had been weakened and hollowed out by successive military interventions.
The immediate concern was how to firm-up the legislature; how to make the legislature (the “oversighter”) function at the required global rate in tandem with global best practices.
Therefore, there was an obvious need for an institution that would help strengthen the capacity of the Legislature. NILDS accordingly started as Policy Analysis and Research Project (PARP, I & Il) from 2003-2007. It then transformed to National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) before dovetailing into National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILS) from 2011-2017.
NILDS’ vision is “to be the regional hub and top-tier research and training institution that promotes and supports the development of dynamic, effective and accountable legislatures and democratic institutions.”
Its mission is “to support and strengthen the legislature and other democratic institutions and actor in Nigeria and beyond to make informed decisions and effectively discharge their statutory responsibilities through focused research, training, sharing of best practices and the provision professional services.
From incipience, the Institute’ modus operandi has been both systematic and coordinated: 2012 – 2015 saw capacity building programmes at the National Assembly, ECOWAS Parliament and National Parliament in the West African Sub-region. For all these activities, it used four work plans disaggregated yearly as 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Its second strategic plan which covered 2016 – 2019, deepened Legislative Development and its goals of 2012 – 2015. From 2011 – 2018, the Institute achieved and superseded its foreign training occasional papers; briefs or arguments/lead debates; research reports submitted; as well as research related activities.
Ever since gaining a firm foothold, the Institute has been fulfilling its core objectives in the following areas: issue/data/sector briefs; policy analyses; bills analyses, bills tracking, bills scrutiny and bills drafting. Additional roles include drafting motions, occasional papers, briefs or argument/lead debates, research reports submitted, as well as research related activities. It has equally upped its ante by developing partnerships; identified new capacity building and outreach activities with African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)UNDP-Democratic Governance for Development (DGD), among others.
The Institutes relationship with Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH), and other world class institutions like Harvard University, McCall University, International Law Institute (IL), etc has grown NILDS vision and mission and reinvigorated democracy in Nigeria, other African countries and the Diaspora.
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