Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and in partnership with Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) Project, convened a 2-day Consultative and Validation meeting for the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on 22nd-23rd September. The meeting provided a platform to validate the findings of a comprehensive Needs Assessment conducted across State Assemblies nationwide and to deliberate on strategies for strengthening legislative processes, fiscal reforms, technological advancement, and administrative independence.
The 2-day forum involved in-depth discussions which identified and addressed critical gaps in the legislative capacity of the State House of Assemblies, some of which includes: inadequate infrastructure, staffing limitations, financial constraints, and weak legislative processes. Participants carefully assessed the essential tools, skills, and resources that is required to enhance effective lawmaking, encourage citizens engagement, and strengthen oversight functions in ways that better position them to respond to emerging challenges.
In the same vein, the Speakers highlighted the urgent need to review and reinforce the institutional frameworks of state assemblies. Following extensive deliberations, they collectively pledged to champion comprehensive reforms focused on strengthening legislative capacity, enhancing financial and institutional autonomy, and improving accountability. These reforms will prioritize building a legislative infrastructure capable of independent budget management, robust policymaking, and transparent governance processes. By committing to these priorities, the state assemblies will not only fulfill their constitutional mandates effectively but also uphold principles of good governance, transparency, and public trust, ultimately fostering sustainable development and democratic consolidation at the subnational level.