Fiscal reforms: NILDS charges RMAFC commissioners on transparency, data-driven decisions
The Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, on Monday tasked Commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to
- From Sanni Onogu, Abuja
The Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, on Monday tasked Commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to embrace transparency, data-driven decision-making, and strategic leadership to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal governance framework.
Speaking at the opening of a capacity-building programme for commissioners of the Commission at the NILDS complex, Sulaiman said the country’s ongoing economic and fiscal reforms demand a new level of competence, innovation, and integrity from key actors in the nation’s fiscal architecture.
He described the Commission as central to Nigeria’s development process, noting that its constitutional responsibilities, ranging from monitoring accruals into the Federation Account to advising on revenue allocation, place it at “the very heart of our national development process.”
“The effectiveness of Nigeria’s fiscal federalism rests significantly on the strength, foresight, and integrity of this Commission,” Sulaiman said.
The DG, who conveyed the goodwill of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, stressed that Nigeria is currently navigating far-reaching fiscal reforms aimed at stabilising public finance, boosting revenue generation, and enhancing transparency.
According to him, these reforms come with challenges, including revenue volatility, competing interests among sub-national governments, and rising public demand for accountability.
“It is within this context that the role of Commissioners becomes even more critical. You are not only custodians of fiscal equity, but also key actors in fostering intergovernmental harmony, strengthening public trust, and ensuring that revenue allocation decisions are guided by data, fairness, and national interest,” he said.
Sulaiman added that the training programme was deliberately structured to equip participants with practical tools for improved revenue tracking, conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement, and results-oriented management.
“We expect that at the end of this engagement, you will be better positioned to translate strategic vision into measurable outcomes, strengthen collaboration with critical stakeholders, and drive institutional reforms that will enhance efficiency, transparency, and public confidence,” he stated.
He reaffirmed NILDS’ commitment as the knowledge management arm of the National Assembly to building institutional capacity for democratic governance and sustainable development, stressing that “strong institutions are built on strong leadership.”
In a complementary address, the Chairman of the Committee on National Assembly Liaison and Special Duties (NAL&SDC) of the Commission, Hon. Abdulazeez Idris King, said the training was conceived to address urgent capacity gaps and reposition the Commission for greater efficiency.
The Chairman noted that the programme targets both newly appointed members and existing staff with expanded responsibilities, serving as “both an orientation and a refresher” to align them with institutional values and expectations.
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“This programme was conceived in recognition of the urgent need to strengthen institutional capacity and ensure that both Members and Staff are adequately equipped to meet the demands of their roles in an increasingly complex administrative environment,” he said.
He explained that the training would focus on critical areas such as legislative engagement, intergovernmental relations, and execution of special assignments, which he described as the backbone of professionalism and operational efficiency in public institutions.
Over the three-day exercise, participants are expected to interact with seasoned experts through practical and engaging sessions designed to enhance their day-to-day performance.
The Committee Chairman urged participants to maximise the opportunity by actively engaging in discussions and sharing experiences.
“The success of this programme depends largely on your active participation. I encourage you to ask questions, share experiences, and fully immerse yourselves in the learning process,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Commission and resource persons for their support, expressing optimism that the training would yield measurable improvements in competence and professionalism.
“It is our expectation that at the end of this training, participants will demonstrate improved competence, enhanced professionalism, and a renewed commitment to the ideals of public service,” he added.
The capacity-building programme is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional effectiveness and deepen fiscal governance amid Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape.
