NILDS, UNIBEN Graduate 123 at 10th Convocation Ceremony

National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), in affiliation with the University of Benin (UNIBEN), has conferred postgraduate degrees and diplomas on 123 graduands at its 10th convocation ceremony in Abuja.

The graduands completed programmes in legislative studies, parliamentary administration, legislative drafting, elections and party politics, and constitutional law, among other governance-related disciplines.

Addressing the graduands, the Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, described the ceremony as a significant milestone, noting that it coincided with the tenure of the 10th National Assembly and marked his final convocation address as Director-General.

Reflecting on his tenure, which began in 2019, Prof. Sulaiman highlighted the Institute’s growth in academic programmes, research, professional training and institutional partnerships. He noted that the NILDS–UNIBEN postgraduate collaboration had expanded from five to nine accredited programmes, while the Institute had strengthened its academic capacity through the recruitment of more than 40 scholars, professors and practitioners.

He also highlighted the accreditation of the Institute’s Higher National Diploma programmes in Official Reporting and Parliamentary Administration by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), alongside the digitisation of key academic and administrative processes, including admissions, fee payments and results management.

On future expansion, the Director-General announced that NILDS had prepared six Open and Distance Learning programmes to improve access to specialised training for legislators, local government personnel and public service professionals unable to attend in-person programmes in Abuja.

He further disclosed that the Institute had secured approval from the University of Abuja to develop four specialised undergraduate degree programmes, subject to final resource verification by the National Universities Commission. These initiatives, alongside the Centre for Advanced Executive Education Programmes (CAEEP), are intended to broaden access to legislative education and strengthen leadership capacity across Africa.

The ceremony also featured the groundbreaking for the CAEEP building, funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives performed the groundbreaking ceremony, marking a further step in the Institute’s efforts to expand its executive education and leadership development capacity.

Prof. Sulaiman urged the graduands to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies to their professional responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to society. He charged them to be worthy ambassadors of NILDS, UNIBEN and the National Assembly, emphasising integrity, professionalism and service to humanity.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, representing the President of the Senate; Senator Babajide Omoworare, CON, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, SAN; the convocation lecturer, Prof. Etannibi Alemika of the University of Jos and Hon. Khafilat Ogbara. Members of the NILDS Governing Council, principal officers of the National Assembly and representatives of other educational and security institutions were also present.

The convocation reaffirmed the continuing NILDS–UNIBEN partnership in postgraduate education and the development of professional capacity for legislative practice, democratic governance and public administration.