By Springnewsng Media Limited | March 20, 2025

In a landmark move to ensure uniformity in legislative procedures across Nigeria, the 36 state Houses of Assembly have adopted harmonized standing orders. This initiative seeks to eliminate discrepancies in the suspension and impeachment of lawmakers while also standardizing key legislative processes.

The newly ratified standing orders cover a broad range of legislative functions, including the removal of presiding officers, budgetary processes, confirmation of executive appointments, election of presiding officers, and the adoption of legislative and statutory reports. The framework also provides guidelines for constitutional amendments, treaty ratifications, formation of committees, and executive sessions.

The adoption took place at a workshop in Lagos, organized by the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria in collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

A Step Towards Legislative Stability

Chairman of the Conference of Speakers, Adebo Ogundoyin, emphasized that the harmonization of legislative rules aligns Nigeria with global best practices. He pointed to countries like the United States, South Africa, and Rwanda, which have similar unified legislative frameworks.

“This monumental step forward, which began in 2021, is not just a procedural reform; it is a strategic move toward strengthening efficiency, transparency, and uniformity in legislative operations across all state Houses of Assembly,” Ogundoyin stated.

He expressed confidence that the newly harmonized rules would be fully adopted by all state legislatures within the next three months, ensuring better collaboration and accountability at the sub-national level.

The Need for Legislative Uniformity

Marija Peran, Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Nigeria, highlighted the importance of these standardized rules in preventing legislative crises, citing the recent instability in the Lagos and Rivers state Houses of Assembly.

“With the harmonized standing orders, we are fostering a more cohesive legislative environment. This initiative aims to reduce procedural inconsistencies, enhance transparency, and improve the overall efficiency of legislative processes,” Peran said.

Protecting Legislative Independence

Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of NILDS, stressed that a uniform legislative framework would protect state assemblies from undue executive interference.

“A harmonized framework will promote consistency in parliamentary practices, strengthen legislative independence, and safeguard against external disruptions,” he said.

The process of standardizing these standing orders began in 2016, culminating in their official ratification on Thursday. With implementation now in motion, Nigeria’s legislative landscape is set for a new era of efficiency, stability, and accountability.