The Senate has taken the first legislative step towards converting the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies into a regional university specializing in lawmaking, governance and democratic institutions. A bill sponsored by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau passed its first reading during plenary.
The West African University of Legislative Studies (Establishment) Bill, 2026, designated SB. 1087, would build on the institute’s existing facilities and training programmes to serve legislators and other public officials from Nigeria and across the Economic Community of West African States. Barau announced the proposal at a postgraduate convocation organized by the institute in collaboration with the University of Benin.
According to a statement from his media office, Barau believes the institute has acquired sufficient infrastructure and expertise to support a broader academic mandate. He also cited Nigeria’s hosting of major ECOWAS institutions as an advantage for establishing a regional centre for legislative education.
The proposal remains at an early stage. It must pass further legislative scrutiny and secure the necessary approvals before any new university can be established. Questions about its accreditation, funding, governance and relationship with the existing institute would require clarification as the bill advances.
