National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) is advocating increased funding to secure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI).

Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, Director General of the Institute, urged National Assembly’s leadership to allocate dedicated funding for the initiative during the opening ceremony of the second cohort of LMI in Abuja. Emphasizing the need for investment in the initiative, he highlighted the potential contributions of LMI graduates to democracy.

Prof. Sulaiman also outlined the its evolution into a comprehensive program, encompassing mentorship, research, networking, and alumni engagement to foster collaboration and shared purpose among legislative leaders. Additionally, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, emphasized the importance of financial empowerment for youths and called for support from the private sector and NGOs to bolster President Bola Tinubu’s administration efforts in this regard. Gbajabiamila commended Prof. Sulaiman for his stewardship of LMI, acknowledging the collective commitment to sustaining its vision for building a unified nation bound in freedom and unity.

The LMI, conceptualized by the former Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila CFR, aims to cultivate a skilled legislative cadre adept at navigating governance complexities and delivering effective representation.