The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has reiterated its commitment to collaborating with state Houses of Assembly to promote governance reforms and ensure effective policy implementation at the sub-national level.
This was announced in a communique signed by the NGF chairman, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, following their meeting on Wednesday.
AbdulRazaq stated that the forum engaged with the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (COSLON) to discuss several important matters. These discussions focused on strengthening the synergy between COSLON and the NGF, as well as ensuring that subnational perspectives are adequately represented in the ongoing constitutional review process.
COSLON also informed the forum about their collaboration with a Development Finance Institution to digitize state houses of assembly, aiming to boost legislative efficiency and transparency.
Additionally, the governors engaged with the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., who shared his vision for a revitalized partnership between Nigeria and the U.S. Ambassador Mills highlighted a shift from a donor-recipient model to one of mutual collaboration, emphasizing the importance of creating economic opportunities for Nigerians.
He outlined four key priorities for U.S. engagement with Nigeria, which include enhancing trade, improving the business environment, attracting investments, and driving economic growth.
The forum also received a briefing from the Minister of Women Affairs regarding the Nigeria For Women Project (NFWP) Scale-Up, which is expanding nationwide after initially being implemented in six states.
The project aims to support women’s economic empowerment through Women Affinity Groups, livelihood grants, and capacity-building programs, contributing to the goal of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.
