NGIJ Seeks Strategic Partnership With NILDS To Strengthen Legislative Reporting
Rashidat Olushola Okunlade Writes
The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) has initiated moves to establish a strategic partnership with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) aimed at enhancing legislative reporting, promoting democratic accountability, and advancing evidence-based journalism in Nigeria.
The proposal was presented during a courtesy visit by an NGIJ delegation, led by its President, Abdulrahman Aliagan, to the Institute’s headquarters in Abuja.
The Director-General of NILDS, Abubakar O. Suleiman, was represented at the meeting by the Director of Legal Services, Ibrahim Danwanka. Other officials present included the Special Adviser to the DG on Media, Muhammad Abdulkadir, and the Director of Information, Emmanuel Atakpo.
Speaking during the visit, Aliagan described the engagement as a deliberate step toward fostering synergy between investigative journalism and legislative research institutions. He commended the leadership of Suleiman for positioning NILDS as a leading centre for legislative studies and democratic governance in Africa.
“This visit is not merely ceremonial—it is deeply strategic. NGIJ and NILDS share a common vision of strengthening democracy, promoting accountability, and deepening good governance in Nigeria,” he said.
Aliagan noted that while NILDS focuses on legislative research and capacity development, NGIJ complements these efforts through investigative reporting and public-interest journalism. He highlighted the Guild’s Governance Assessment Visits conducted across states including Kogi, Bayelsa, Ondo, Kwara, Osun, and Kaduna, noting their impact on public discourse and accountability at the subnational level.
He outlined key areas of proposed collaboration to include training on legislative processes, joint research and publications, policy dialogues, data sharing, and fellowship programmes for journalists and researchers.
The NGIJ President also informed the Institute of plans to host the Dele Giwa Memorial Annual Lecture on Investigative Journalism in June to mark Democracy Day. He requested the use of NILDS’ auditorium for the event and invited the Director-General to serve as keynote speaker.
Responding on behalf of the DG, Danwanka welcomed the proposal, describing it as timely and beneficial to national development. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between journalists and legislative institutions, noting that legislative reporting requires specialised knowledge.
“If there is any institution journalists need to collaborate with, it is NILDS. Legislative reporting requires specialised knowledge that many journalists currently lack,” he said.
Danwanka explained that NILDS, established by an Act of Parliament in 2011 and expanded in 2017, has grown significantly under Suleiman’s leadership, increasing its departments, staff strength, and continental reach.
He added that the Institute currently provides research and capacity-building support to legislatures across West Africa and other African countries, including Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ghana, and Togo.
Danwanka assured the NGIJ delegation that all requests presented—including partnership proposals, facility use, and the keynote invitation—would be conveyed to the Director-General for necessary consideration.
Both parties expressed optimism about formalising the partnership, noting that such collaboration would strengthen democratic institutions and improve governance through knowledge-driven journalism.
“This engagement marks the beginning of a sustainable partnership that will advance legislative excellence and investigative journalism in Nigeria,” Danwanka added.
