Abuja: National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has inaugurated a specialised lecture series to bridge critical gaps in drafting effective subsidiary legislations in Nigeria’s regulatory and enforcement landscape.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative is targeted at building the capacity of legal officers in the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), among other law enforcement agencies. Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Director-General of the institute, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, emphasized that the strategic intervention aims to address deficiencies in the technical quality of regulations used by enforcement institutions.
In his address, Prof. Sulaiman highlighted that in any constitutional democracy, the rule of law is the foundation of governance, security, and social order. He noted that while primary legislation outlines overarching policy frameworks and legal mandates, it is the subsidiary legislation that operationalizes those mandates. The professor explained that subsidiary legislation provides the necessary clarity, detail, and mechanisms for practical enforcement and operational efficiency.
Prof. Sulaiman pointed out that deficits in technical drafting expertise often result in vague, inconsistent, or legally-defective regulations. These flaws can lead to administrative bottlenecks, enforcement lapses, and costly litigation. He stressed that while acts of parliament provide the legal foundation, subsidiary legislation ensures that these laws function effectively. Therefore, improper drafting can compromise both justice and institutional credibility.
He further expressed the need for legal officers within the armed forces and other law enforcement bodies to master the art of drafting subsidiary legislation. This mastery is essential not only for ensuring compliance with constitutional and statutory provisions but also for safeguarding institutional integrity, enhancing operational coherence, and avoiding legal ambiguities.
The director-general stated that the workshop aims to sharpen participants’ legal drafting skills and empower institutions to operate with clearer mandates and stronger public accountability. Participants will be trained by an elite faculty of senior legal scholars, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and other legislative experts assembled by NILDS to provide both theoretical insights and practical strategies for regulatory development.
A Legal Officer at Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Gideon Madaki, described the training as timely and crucial. With the recent amendment of the NCS Act, the process of subsidiary legislation for effective implementation is ongoing. Madaki expressed high expectations, anticipating a deeper understanding of drafting rules and modern techniques.
Similarly, Mr. Umar Ibrahim, a Legal Officer at Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), emphasized the importance of the training in sharpening their legal and administrative skills. He commended the director-general and facilitators for the initiative, describing it as a well-reasoned effort to improve legislative drafting for effective governance in the country.
