President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has commended the management of the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, for fulfilling the mandate for which it was established.

Akpabio gave the commendation on Thursday while presiding over a meeting of the Governing Board of the Institute at NILDS headquarters along Airport Road in Abuja.

The Senate President, who is the Chairman of the Governing Board, specifically praised the Director-General of the Institute, Professor Abubakar Suleiman, and his management team "for making it possible for us to have refresher courses."

The meeting was also attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who is the alternate Chairman of the board.

Akpabio said "the essence of creating this Institute is being realised," referring to the academic programmes being run by NILDS for postgraduate students up to doctorate level, in collaboration with some universities in the country.

He also expressed satisfaction that NILDS had started training staff of the National Assembly and suggested that the Institute should be mandated to take charge of the induction course for incoming Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

"When we came in 2023, the induction course that we had was at the NAF Centre. I'm sure for new Senators-elect and Members-elect, this place is befitting enough for us to use for the induction course for the incoming parliament.

"I will urge members of the council to consider resolution in that regard. That once election is over in 2027, the induction should be held here. That will also draw attention to this place. It will further boost the image of the institute," Akpabio said.

The Senate President also commended the NILDS management team for the proper maintenance of the Institute's headquarters building.

"When l came in, l was quite impressed about the maintenance of this edifice. Maintenance of edifice like this is not easy. For you and your management team, Professor Suleiman, l think you have done the job well," he said.

Earlier, at the commencement of the meeting, Professor Suleiman updated the board on the progress made by the Institute.

He said the mandate of the Institute was to add to the capacity of Nigerian legislators at the federal and sub-national levels, as well as within the sub-region.

Suleiman said NILDS now has 12 departments, including a radio station, and is in partnership with many institutions, including the University of Benin, the University of Abuja and the Federal University, Lokoja.