In a landmark move, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria has successfully convened a workshop aimed at harmonizing the Standing Orders of State Houses of Assembly. This monumental achievement, which began in 2021, is poised to strengthen legislative governance, promote uniformity in parliamentary practice, and enhance the overall effectiveness of State Houses of Assembly.
The workshop, which took place on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Lagos Continental Hotel, brought together esteemed Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and Majority Leaders from State Houses of Assembly across the country. Experts from the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) also participated in the event.
Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Chairman of the Conference of Speakers and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, emphasized the significance of harmonizing the Standing Orders of State Houses of Assembly. He noted that this move would enhance collaboration, improve legislative oversight, and ensure a more responsive and accountable governance framework at the sub-national level.
The Conference of Speakers has been working tirelessly to promote inter-parliamentary solidarity and legislative best practices. Established in 1999, the Conference has been instrumental in organizing workshops, retreats, and capacity development programs for Hon. Speakers and Hon. Members of State Assemblies.
The harmonization of Standing Orders is a strategic step towards strengthening the efficiency, transparency, and uniformity of legislative operations across all State Houses of Assembly. By standardizing legislative rules, the Conference of Speakers aims to promote consistency, transparency, and efficiency in legislative processes.
The workshop featured technical sessions, group work, and plenary discussions, with participants engaging in robust debates and sharing best practices. The outcome of the workshop is expected to be a harmonized Standing Order for all State Houses of Assembly, which will be ratified by the Conference of Speakers.
As the Conference of Speakers continues to work towards strengthening legislative governance in Nigeria, it is clear that this harmonization effort will have a profound impact on the country’s democratic development.
