The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Senator Aliyu Wadada, has acknowledged concerns over the committee’s low level of activity in recent years, assuring that a new work plan has been adopted to reposition it for more effective engagement.
Speaking with journalists after a committee meeting, Wadada admitted that concerns raised by members about the committee’s performance were legitimate, noting that the issues responsible for its inactivity had been identified during a closed-door session.
“Of course, I feel concerned about it, but when we got into the details of it in a closed-door meeting, we have gotten to know where the problem or the problems are, and they will all be taken care of. The committee will be as active as it should always be,” he said.
The senator explained that under his leadership, the committee would focus on strengthening Nigeria’s legislative relations with regional and international parliamentary bodies.
According to him, the committee’s responsibilities include promoting and deepening legislative cooperation between the National Assembly and institutions such as the ECOWAS Parliament, the Pan-African Parliament, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and other parliamentary organisations around the world.
Wadada declined to disclose details of the committee’s executive session, saying discussions were centred on developing a new operational framework.
“There is nothing other than the fact that a new work plan has been drawn and we shall go by it. As events unfold, you will be notified of the activities that we shall be embarking upon,” he stated.
He announced that the committee’s first major assignment under the new agenda would be a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and regional legislative collaboration.
The committee’s renewed commitment is expected to enhance Nigeria’s participation in regional and global parliamentary engagements while fostering stronger legislative partnerships with international counterparts.
