Kamoru Ogunlana, the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), has called for decisive action in adopting digital parliamentary processes, stating that Nigeria’s legislature can no longer afford to lag behind.
Speaking on Friday, at a three-day retreat in Abuja, organized with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Ogunlana emphasized that e-Parliament adoption is critical for accountability, transparency, and operational resilience.
“Our agenda at this retreat is not just to tackle emerging challenges but to explore team-building strategies that harness our human resources effectively,” Ogunlana said.
He pointed out that outdated legal frameworks, such as the repealed Evidence Act of 1945, had long hindered digital integration in legislative proceedings. However, with its 2004 replacement, he insisted: “With the new Evidence Act 2004 in place, that barrier is gone, and there should be no excuse for delay.”
Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption of legislative activities, Ogunlana warned against continued reliance on physical operations. “Failure to integrate digital technology exposes us to future shutdowns. We must be intentional in adopting the e-Parliament model.”
He highlighted key advantages, including reduced paperwork, remote lawmaker participation, improved public access to records, and efficient legislative tracking. Security concerns at the National Assembly Complex also drew his attention, as he lamented frequent unauthorized access.
“This is unacceptable. Parliaments globally manage their own security through in-house outfits like the Sergeant-at-Arms. I urge you to devise mechanisms to regulate access and strengthen identification processes to safeguard the complex.”
Echoing Ogunlana’s stance, Deputy Clerk Engr. Bashir Yero stressed the urgency of modernization. “The world is evolving, and the National Assembly must not be left behind. We need to explore best practices, tackle existing challenges, and find innovative solutions to enhance accountability, transparency, and resilience.”
The retreat, themed “Building an Accountable, Transparent and Resilient Parliament: The Role of the National Assembly Top Management,” aims to develop a strategic roadmap for the legislature’s digital transformation in line with global standards.
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