Clerk to the National Assembly [CNA] Barrister Kamorudeen Ogunlana, has charged legislative aides to remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring a smooth, efficient, and result-oriented discharge of their responsibilities for success of their principals and the Legislature.
Ogunlana gave this charge at the opening ceremony of the capacity-building training for legislative aides of the National Assembly
He said: “We are delighted to welcome you all to the opening ceremony of this capacity-building training programme for Legislative Aides in the National Assembly Service.
“Today marks the commencement of the first phase in a carefully planned series of eight training sessions which will run from today, 19th August, to 29th October 2025, and will cumulatively cover over 3,000 Legislative Aides serving in the National Assembly.”
According to Ogunlana, the effective functioning of the National Assembly depended not only on the elected legislators but also on the quality of support provided by their Legislative Aides.
Ogunlana stated that legislative aides were a critical support pillar in the service of the National Assembly.
According to him: “You are the silent engines behind the visible legislative actions of your principals; taking and keeping records of their activities, conducting research on legislative measures, coordinating engagements with constituents, drafting bills and motions, and providing sound advice on legislative procedures.
“Without your dedication, precision, and commitment, the legislative process would be far less effective.
“However, many legislative aides are appointed without prior exposure to the unique demands of the legislative service.
“Inadequate training leads to inefficiencies that can hamper legislative processes and service delivery.
“Therefore, it is imperative to build the capacity of Legislative Aides regardless of their qualifications and experiences, through structured training programs tailored to the Nigerian Legislative context.”
He continued: “This training is designed to sharpen your skills, broaden your knowledge, and enhance your professional effectiveness in these vital roles.
“As the legislative service evolves, so too must the capacity of those of you who support it.
“The complexity of legislative work today demands continuous learning, adaptability, and professional discipline.”
“Under my leadership, management is not just talking about valuing you, we are showing it. We have ensured that your salaries are paid promptly, the First 28 Days allowance, which every newly recruited public servant is entitled to, is settled for about two-thirds of the legislative aides, and arrears arising from the 25% / 35% increase in minimum wage and wage awards for the year 2024 has been fully paid.
” I want to assure you that whatever is outstanding on these claims shall be fully settled by September ending,” he said.
Beyond these, the CNA drcalred “we are addressing your logistical needs; plans are underway to repair your bus and acquire new vehicles to facilitate your movement in and out of the office.
” These measures are not privileges, but necessary support for you to function effectively,he assured.
“We are not unaware of the challenges you face. Although Legislative Aides are political appointees, your conditions of service are tied to the template of career civil servants, which appears not to take cognisance of your peculiar needs. Unlike the career civil servant, your appointments do not guarantee job security, tenure is largely dependent on your principals, and ranking is often not based on qualifications or competence.
“Furthermore, there is currently no comprehensive law or guidelines clearly defining the duties and responsibilities of the various cadres of Legislative Aides. This leaves gaps that sometimes expose you to arbitrary decisions and unfair treatment.”
The present management, the CNA disclosed, believed it was time to address these systemic issues.
Read him: “We are advocating that the National Assembly Service Commission and the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission should consider developing a distinct salary structure and conditions of service that reflect the unique nature of your work.
” We also believe the qualifications for appointment should be reviewed to attract competent and experienced personnel.
“Equally important is the need for mechanisms to prevent arbitrary termination of appointments by principals.
“Like other political appointees, nominees for Legislative Aide positions should also be vetted by relevant authorities to forestall the engagement of individuals whose conduct or past records may undermine the integrity of the National Assembly.”
He said “this training is more than a learning exercise. It is a step towards professionalizing the role of Legislative Aides in Nigeria’s legislature.”
Ogunlana urged legislative aides to approach the training with open minds, active participation, and a commitment to apply what they learned.
“Together, let us build a legislative support system that is professional, secure, and effective, one that can stand the test of time and serve the people of Nigeria with distinction,” he further urged.
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