National Assembly Advocates Merit-Based Promotions for Staff

The National Assembly expressed its opposition to promotions of staff influenced by external factors that are not merit-based, as mandated by the National Assembly Service Act 2014. Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, articulated these concerns during a speech at a three-day retreat for top management of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Service Commission, held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Ogunlana warned that promotions influenced by external considerations could lead to serious institutional consequences, including judicial review and administrative embarrassment. He stressed the importance of appointing and promoting staff based on merit, competence, experience, and performance.

Additionally, he called for a shift towards using the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies for training personnel, citing the unsustainability of current ad-hoc training arrangements due to limited financial resources. Ogunlana emphasized the need for continuous exposure of staff to various legislative practices and emerging global practices in parliamentary administration.