N’Assembly has over 14,000 workers, busiest parliament in world — Clerk

The National Assembly boasts over 14,000 workers, making it the busiest parliament in the world, according to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana. Speaking at the final phase of a capacity-building program for legislative aides in the 10th National Assembly, Ogunlana emphasized the demanding nature of managing such a large workforce alongside federal lawmakers and their visitors.

He highlighted that the National Assembly, with more than 14,000 personnel, surpasses any other parliament globally in terms of activity. Ogunlana also revealed that the Senate and House of Representatives have collectively passed 3,500 bills over the past three years, with the Senate handling 1,500 bills and the House managing 2,000.

He underscored the necessity for a robust support system for lawmakers due to the sheer volume of legislative activities. In response to this, Ogunlana reiterated his call for a specialized salary structure for legislative aides, emphasizing their crucial role in the legislative process. He appealed to the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to address issues surrounding the salaries and working conditions of these aides.

Ogunlana clarified that while NASC is responsible for appointing and administering legislative aides, their remuneration is governed by RMAFC's framework and requires National Assembly approval. He stressed the need for reforms to enhance the welfare and capabilities of legislative aides to better support lawmakers in their duties.