The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) commenced a specialized two-day capacity building program in Abuja on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, aimed at equipping 100 young lawyers with essential skills in legislative drafting and policy advocacy.
NILDS, a premier institution dedicated to strengthening democratic governance, views this initiative as a vital component of its mandate to ensure that the legislative process is supported by technically proficient and ethically guided legal expertise.
The training initiative, which is a continuation of NILDS’s commitment to professional development over the past three years, seeks to bridge the gap between legal practice and governance processes.
Declaring the program open, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, the Director-General of NILDS, highlighted the strategic intent behind the exercise. Prof. Sulaiman emphasized that the curriculum was carefully designed to arm young legal practitioners with innovative skills in policy formulation, advanced legislative drafting techniques, and practical advocacy methods critical for national development.
“The value of this training lies in empowering young lawyers to meaningfully influence governance,” the Director-General stated, stressing that the sessions require commitment and discipline to build long-term institutional effectiveness among participants.
Bridging the Trust Deficit
In her remarks, Barrister Zullaihat Ohiare, Chairperson of the Young Lawyers Forum (YLF), noted the importance of the partnership with NILDS. She explained that recent interactions within the FCT branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have revealed a decline in public confidence in the justice system, with citizens expressing doubts about lawyers’ readiness for pro bono work.
Barrister Ohiare emphasized that individual efforts alone are inadequate to address systemic issues. She stressed that sustainable, meaningful change is contingent upon the establishment of strong, efficient legal frameworks and institutions, which necessitates the active involvement of young lawyers.
The YLF Chairperson urged participants to view the training not merely as an opportunity to obtain a certificate, but as a path to gaining a deeper understanding of policy formulation, legislative processes, and governance structures. She thanked Prof. Sulaiman for creating the opportunity for 100 lawyers to participate, encouraging them to envision the multiplied impact their collective contributions would have on systemic reform.
Also speaking at the opening, Anthony Ojo, Esq., Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, expressed his appreciation to NILDS for its commitment to supporting professional development by opening its doors to the legal community.
He voiced his hope that the program would successfully expose participants to the necessary principles and competencies required for legislative drafting and improve their overall communication skills, thereby strengthening the legal and governance landscape in Nigeria.
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