The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on capacity building with two regional Parliaments in Africa.
They include the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and that of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) .
The indication was given during a courtesy visit of the speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Joseph Ntakirutimana, accompanied by his counterpart at the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis to the Director General of NILDS, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman.
Mr Ntakirutimana who expressed delight over the establishment of NILDS in Nigeria likened it to the American Democratic Institute (NDI) in terms of ideas and intellectual resources.
He also advocated adequate funding for the institute by the Nigerian government to enable it serve Nigeria ad Africa effectively without external influence.
While stressing on the imperative of collaboration, Speaker of Ecowas Parliament, Sidie Tunis said the training would boost the capacity of ECOWAS Members states and the entire Africa.
In his response, the Director General (NILDS) Professor Abubakar Sulaiman said the institution was African focus stressing that the first support received by the institution as a program under National Assembly was funded by Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) after which Nigerian Government took over the funding
He also pledged NILDS willingness and commitment to sign pact with the two regional parliaments on capacity building of their staff on legislative issues.
