By Chidi Ugwu
The 36 State governors under the aegis of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) have engaged the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (COSLON) with a view to strengthening synergy between the state lawmakers and the NGF, and ensuring subnational perspectives are well-represented in the ongoing constitutional review process.
This is contained in a communiqué signed and issued by AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, after the 11th meeting of the NGF which lasted till the early hours of Thursday February 20, 2025, in Abuja.
“The Forum engaged with the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (COSLON) to discuss key issues, including strengthening synergy between COSLON and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and ensuring subnational perspectives are well-represented in the ongoing constitutional review process.
“COLSON also informed the Forum of their partnership with Development Finance Institution (DFI’s) to digitize the State Houses of Assembly, aimed at enhancing legislative efficiency and transparency. Governors reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with state legislatures to advance governance reforms and ensure effective policy implementation at the subnational level” reads part of the statement.
According to the communiqué, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jnr, also shared his vision for a renewed partnership between Nigeria and the United States of America, shifting from a donor-recipient model to mutual collaboration.
The NGF Chairman pointed out that the Ambassador outlined four key areas to guide US engagement with Nigeria, including:
“Enhancing Trade and Investment: Improving the business environment to attract investments and drive economic growth; “Promoting Transparency and Accountability, Strengthening institutions through good governance; Supporting Subnational Governments: Bolstering development at the state level; and Establishing Sustainable Healthcare: Although the details of this priority were not provided, it’s likely focused on improving healthcare outcomes in Nigeria.
He noted that Governors welcomed these renewed approaches and emphasized the critical role of states in driving economic and social development, stressing that the Forum looks forward to deepening cooperation with the U.S. on these shared priorities.
“The Forum received a briefing from the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs on the Nigeria For Women Project (NFWP) Scale-Up, expanding nationwide from its initial six-state
implementation. The project aims to support women’s economic empowerment through Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), livelihood grants, and capacity-building initiatives, contributing to the goal of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty”.
