The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) engaged in a productive exchange with Malaysia’s Parliament to enhance parliamentary administration through collaborative knowledge sharing and institutional partnerships.
This interaction occurred during a NASC delegation‘s official study tour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
According to a statement released on Sunday in Abuja by Emmanuel Anyigor, NASC’s Deputy Director of Information and spokesperson, the visit was part of the Commission’s strategic plan to adopt international best practices and elevate service standards within Nigeria’s legislative framework.
Heading the Nigerian team was Chief Saviour Enyiekere, Executive Chairman of NASC, accompanied by Commissioners, leaders of the Senate and House Committees on Public Service, and senior Commission officials. The delegation was warmly welcomed by representatives of the Malaysian Parliament in Kuala Lumpur.
This engagement served as a valuable forum for both bodies to share insights on efficient legislative administration, workforce development, and innovative parliamentary procedures.
In his introductory address, Chief Saviour Enyiekere emphasized that the visit aimed to benchmark global standards to boost the effectiveness of Nigeria’s legislative service delivery.
“Gaining exposure to international parliamentary administration practices will enhance our personnel’s capabilities and fortify the institutional structure of the National Assembly,” Enyiekere remarked.
He expressed gratitude to the Malaysian Parliament for their hospitality and highlighted the strong diplomatic ties and aligned international stances shared by Nigeria and Malaysia.
Representing the Chief Administrator of the Malaysian Parliament, Dato Ahmad Hussaini bin Abdul Rahman, Amisyahrizan bin Amir Khan, Head of the House of Representatives’ Management Division, extended a warm welcome to the Nigerian delegation. He praised Nigeria’s dedication to ongoing institutional advancement and noted that the visit would strengthen parliamentary cooperation between the two Commonwealth nations.
“Collaboration between parliaments is essential for advancing democratic governance. Both Malaysia and Nigeria are committed to reinforcing the legislature as a cornerstone of democracy,” he stated.
Beyond formal discussions, the Nigerian delegation participated in detailed technical sessions with various Malaysian parliamentary departments, examining their approaches to human resource management, records administration, staff welfare, legislative research, and procedural operations.
These interactive meetings revealed notable parallels in legislative personnel management. Malaysia has recently passed legislation to establish a Parliamentary Service Board, a statutory entity similar to NASC, tasked with overseeing parliamentary workforce management. The formation of this board is imminent.
Additionally, the sessions highlighted Malaysia’s progressive retirement preparation policy, where employees undergo comprehensive training two years prior to retirement to facilitate their transition from public service to private sector ventures.
The delegation also toured the Malaysian Parliament, including the modern Parliament Library. They were granted access to a plenary session of the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) by Speaker Tan Sri Dato (Dr) Johari bin Abdul, who acknowledged the visit as a positive step toward fostering South-South cooperation.
Both parties agreed to pursue future collaborations through initiatives such as staff exchanges, joint training programs, and the mutual sharing of administrative resources.
This visit aligns with NASC’s wider mission to promote excellence, transparency, and innovation in the governance of Nigeria’s legislative institutions.
Concluding the successful visit, the delegations exchanged commemorative gifts to honor the partnership. The Nigerian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur facilitated the parliamentary study tour.
