By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, in collaboration with the University of Benin, has matriculated 180 students into its postgraduate programmes for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The ceremony, held in Abuja, formally admitted the students into a range of master’s and postgraduate diploma programmes aimed at strengthening legislative capacity and democratic governance in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NILDS, Abubakar Sulaiman, said the programmes are designed to equip participants with practical knowledge in governance, lawmaking and policy development.
He explained that all lectures are now conducted physically at the institute’s Abuja facilities to enhance effective learning.
According to him, students will be evaluated through continuous assessment (20 marks), class attendance (10 marks), and final examinations (70 marks), while successful candidates will be awarded certificates jointly issued by NILDS and the University of Benin.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Shuaib Salisu, urged the students to take their studies seriously, describing them as future custodians of democratic institutions.
Also represented at the event was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, whose message encouraged students to engage actively, think critically and apply their knowledge in service to national development.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Edoba Omoregie, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Victor Igbineweka, congratulated the students and highlighted the university’s commitment to academic excellence and character development.
The postgraduate programmes include Legislative Studies, Parliamentary Administration, Election and Party Politics, Legislative Drafting, as well as Constitutional Law, among others.
