During the 10th National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)/University of Benin (UNIBEN) Matriculation ceremony for Post Graduate programmes, the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, expressed his commitment to passing quality legislation that will elevate the standard of education in Nigeria. The ceremony took place in Abuja on Monday.
Acknowledging the current state of education in the country, Sen. Akpabio assured attendees that the government is dedicated to addressing the persistent issues affecting educational stability and unrest in tertiary institutions. He highlighted the recent signing of the Students Loan Act by President Bola Tinubu as evidence of the government’s commitment to ensuring access to education for all. Sen. Akpabio emphasized that the 10th Assembly will prioritize educational development as part of its legislative agenda, recognizing that the nation’s growth and development are closely tied to the quality of its educational system.
Representing Sen. Akpabio, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, encouraged the matriculating students to view their admission as a great privilege. He emphasized that the knowledge they will acquire through these specialized programs cannot be found in conventional universities. Barau stated that the programs will equip the students with the necessary knowledge to contribute to the nation’s democracy and national development.
Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, underscored the importance of research, training, and education in fostering a strong and vibrant democracy. He commended NILDS for its efforts in equipping lawmakers, policymakers, and the general public with the skills required to navigate legislative and democratic processes effectively. Abbas urged NILDS to develop targeted programs to address the capacity gaps among new members of the 10th Assembly and their legislative aides, as well as the entire staff of the National Assembly. He expressed hope that such interventions would enhance the efficiency and productivity of the National Assembly.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Lilian Salami, congratulated the students on their admission to the various postgraduate programs offered by the institute. She highlighted that the number of admitted students had increased from 80 in the previous session to 107 in the current session. Prof. Salami emphasized that these programs, such as Master’s in Elections and Party Politics, Legislative Drafting, Parliamentary Administration and Legislative Studies, and Postgraduate Diploma in Elections and Party Management, are unique and rare, with limited availability elsewhere. She assured the students that UNIBEN and NILDS would continue to provide high-quality education and keep up with international trends.
The Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, praised the productive collaboration between NILDS and UNIBEN over the years. He reiterated the institute’s commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the university. Prof. Sulaiman encouraged the matriculating students to attend lectures promptly and emphasized the importance of continuous assessment. He also highlighted the institute’s focus on discipline and dedication, stating that students must exhibit these qualities to successfully complete the program.
In conclusion, the matriculation ceremony marked a significant milestone for the students admitted to the NILDS/UNIBEN Post Graduate programs. The government’s commitment to passing quality legislation and prioritizing educational development, as well as the collaboration between NILDS and UNIBEN, reaffirm Nigeria’s dedication to promoting a strong educational system and preparing future leaders for the challenges of democracy and national development.