By Our Correspondent
ABUJA/Nigeria: Efforts to improve internal security and strengthen governance across Nigeria received a boost on Monday as the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Interior agreed to deepen collaboration on legislative reforms, public safety and the implementation of policies aimed at improving service delivery across the country.
The development followed a high-level meeting in Abuja between the Minister of Interior, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and a delegation of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly led by the Chairman of the Conference and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor. The engagement, according to a statement issued after the meeting, focused on strengthening cooperation between the Federal Government and state legislatures on issues affecting national security and governance.
The discussions centred on ways to align state legislative activities with federal reforms in critical sectors under the Ministry of Interior, including immigration, correctional services, public safety and internal security, with both sides agreeing that closer cooperation would improve policy implementation at the grassroots.
Speaking after the meeting, Guwor said state legislatures occupy a strategic position in translating federal policies into laws and programmes capable of delivering tangible benefits to citizens.
According to him, stronger collaboration between the Ministry and State Houses of Assembly would facilitate the domestication of relevant legislation, improve legislative oversight and accelerate reforms designed to strengthen governance and enhance national security.
“We had a fruitful discussion on how state legislatures can better interface with the Ministry to support federal initiatives at the grassroots,” Guwor said.
He stressed that addressing Nigeria’s security and development challenges requires coordinated efforts by all levels of government, describing state legislatures as critical partners in advancing the Federal Government’s reform agenda.
“Our shared goal is national development, peace and improved welfare for Nigerians. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to enact legislation and provide oversight that will strengthen institutions and support programmes that benefit our people,” he added.
Guwor noted that the engagement marked another step towards building a stronger working relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government, particularly in responding to emerging security challenges and improving public service delivery.
Responding, the Minister of Interior, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, commended the Conference of Speakers for initiating the engagement, describing it as a demonstration of the commitment of state legislatures to national development and institutional cooperation.
He assured the delegation of the Ministry’s readiness to sustain collaboration through regular consultations, information sharing and joint oversight of federal institutions and agencies operating across the states.
According to the minister, stronger cooperation between the Ministry and state legislatures would enhance the implementation of government policies while improving the effectiveness of programmes designed to meet the needs of Nigerians.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to establish structured channels for sustained collaboration to strengthen internal security, improve governance, enhance public service delivery and reinforce Nigeria’s constitutional democracy through effective intergovernmental cooperation.
