NASS Urged To Embrace E-Parliament For Efficient Lawmaking – Clerks Speak Out

The Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana and Bashir Yero, have called for the adoption of an e-Parliament model to modernize Nigeria’s legislative processes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking at the opening of a three-day retreat organized by the National Assembly in partnership with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), the duo emphasized the urgency of embracing digital innovation. The retreat, themed “Building an Accountable, Transparent and Resilient Parliament: The Role of the National Assembly Top Management”, was also supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Ogunlana argued that the National Assembly must respond to emerging challenges by adopting new technologies. “This retreat is focused not only on addressing pressing issues but also on building a united, efficient team,” he said.

He highlighted that the now-repealed Evidence Act of 1945, which prohibited the use of computer-generated evidence in court, had previously stalled progress. With the updated Evidence Act of 2004 now in effect, he said, there’s no longer any legal barrier to implementing digital solutions in legislative processes.

Referencing the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ogunlana warned that failing to adopt e-Parliament systems could leave the National Assembly vulnerable to future crises. He underscored the benefits of the digital model, including reduced paperwork, remote lawmaker participation and voting, better public access to records, and streamlined legislative tracking.

“We must consider cost-effective strategies for this necessary transformation,” he added.

Deputy Clerk Bashir Yero reinforced the point, stressing that as the world evolves, so too must Nigeria’s parliamentary system. “We must not be left behind. It’s time to adopt global best practices and overcome the challenges hindering transparency, accountability, and resilience,” he said.