Digital Shift in National Assembly No Longer Optional

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, has stressed the urgent need for the Nigerian Parliament to adopt digital technology, describing it as a necessity in today’s world rather than a choice.

Ogunlana made the remark during his opening address at a three-day retreat organised by the National Assembly in partnership with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC). The event, which began on Friday, was supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and held under the theme “Building an Accountable, Transparent and Resilient Parliament: The Role of the National Assembly Top Management.”

According to him, “the use of technology in the Nigerian Parliament is not an option but a necessity,” especially as legislative processes around the world are becoming increasingly digital.

He pointed out that the retreat’s theme directly addresses the ongoing shifts and demands within the National Assembly, offering a critical moment to rethink approaches, plan strategically, and implement meaningful reforms.

“This presents a vital opportunity to reflect, strategize, and lay actionable plans that will shape the future of the National Assembly Service,” Ogunlana stated.

Ogunlana said, “It is essential to recognise that the National Assembly Service is dynamic and continually facing new challenges and at the same time opening up fresh opportunities.

“Our agenda in this retreat, is not limited to addressing these challenges and exploring new areas that lie ahead of us but to create innovative team building plan to harness our human assets.

“Embracing digital technology is not an option, but a necessity. As a parliament, it is high time we upgraded our practices and processes in line with the concept of E- Parliament.

“I am mindful that the integration of digital technologies into the parliamentary process in Nigeria was delayed because the repealed Evidence Act which was enacted in June 1945 prohibited the admission of computer-generated evidence in Nigeria courts. The new Evidence Act 2004 has removed this obstacle.

“Therefore, there should not be any hesitation to integrate digital technology in parliamentary practices and processes. Failure to integrate digital technology in parliamentary practices and processes exposes us to the risk of another shutdown of parliament as was experienced during the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019 and the consequent lockdown in 2020.

“The National Assembly should be intentional in adopting the concept of E-Parliament because this reduces paperwork, allows lawmakers to participate in sessions and vote without being physically present, gives members of the public access to parliamentary proceedings, documents and records online, makes tracking by the Management of legislative processes including the drafting, debating and amendment of bills easier. We must deliberate on the implementation strategies that will bring this vision to life at a minimal cost.

“Parliaments worldwide prioritize security, that is why they are allowed to establish and manage their own in-house security outfits which are called Sergeant-At-Arms in most Commonwealth countries. It is concerning that unauthorized persons access the National Assembly Complex unabated because of the growing challenges of insecurity.

“This development is unacceptable considering the security risk it poses to the complex, lawmakers, staff and visitors. I urge you to come out with innovative ideas or mechanisms for regulating access control and identification process with a view to enhancing security within the National Assembly complex”.

In his address, the Deputy Clerk, Eng. Bashir Yero said that, the world is evolving and the National Assembly should not be left behind.

He said, “We will delve into best practices, challenges, and innovative solutions that can enhance accountability, transparency and resilience within our National Assembly”.