One of the world’s premier parliamentary academic and research institutions, NILDS supports the sustenance of dynamic and effective legislature in Nigeria — at Federal, State and Local levels — and the ECOWAS sub-region.
One of the world’s premier academic and research institutions, NILDS supports the sustenance of dynamic and effective Legislature in Nigeria — at Federal, State and Local level — and the ECOWAS sub-region.
The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) is an organ of the National Assembly established by an Act of Parliament. President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law the National Institute for Legislative Studies Act 2011 on March 2nd 2011 following the passage of the same by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
In 2016, the Institute’s Governing Council approved the establishment of a new department of Democratic Studies as well as a Department for Post Graduate Studies. On January 26th, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Institute for Legislative Studies (Amendment) Act, 2017 — enabling the Institute to provide capacity development services to democratic institutions and governance in Nigeria.
To ensure the quality and effectiveness of laws, NILDS is actively involved in Legislative Drafting, Drafting of motions and Resolutions, Bill Analysis and Scrutiny, Support for committees and more.
The Institute recognizes that individuals respond to different teaching and learning styles. It adopts pedagogic approaches which enable participants to be actively involved in the learning process.
Through its training programmes, NILDS enhances the capacities of legislators and staff to become more effective in carrying out their mandate.
An important objective of NILDS is the dissemination of research output and designing or analysing policies that could be translated into legislation or imputed into the policymaking process.
LeCeSA is the peace and security research arm of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, under the National Assembly of Nigeria.
The Institute’s civic-education contest for secondary schools across the Federation, hosted at the NILDS Arena, Permanent Site, Abuja.
Programme details ›Themed “Celebrating 7 Years of Unmatched Leadership”, showcasing the station’s programmes and activities.
With Mande Global Impact Consulting, African Youth Growth Foundation, Next Generation Civic Initiatives and partners.
A four-day course convened by the Centre for Advanced Executive Education Programme (CAEEP).
Next edition to be determined. Proceedings from the previous edition remain available on the conference portal.
The Institute has hosted an Open House and Staff Engagement programme organised by Democracy Radio 104.9 FM to showcase the station’s programmes and activities. The event was held on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, at the NILDS Arena.
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In partnership with Mande Global Impact Consulting Ltd, African Youth Growth Foundation, Next Generation Civic Initiatives and other partners, the conference was held at the NILDS Permanent Site, Abuja.
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The Centre for Advanced Executive Education Programme held a four-day International Executive Leadership Course for members of the Governing Council, themed “Strategic Leadership and Institutional Readiness for Legislative Excellence”.
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Four major sections — Technical, Reader Services, ICT and Archives — supporting your research and information needs.
Preserves and makes available to the public the historical records of the National Assembly and the research records of the Institute.
Open access to the Institute’s research output in digital form, including articles and the Institute’s publications.
A user-friendly digital platform providing access to the resources available in the library.
The National Institute For Legislative Studies and Democratic Studies / UNIBEN Programmes timetable is out. The complete examination timetable for the 1st Semester 2022/2023 — with courses, day and time, venue and appointed invigilators clearly listed — can be downloaded below.
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Through the development of its infrastructure the Institute targets to be an internationally recognized research outfit that facilitates the development and sustenance of dynamic and effective legislature and democracy in not only Nigeria but the sub-region and the entire African continent.
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