Leadership Masterclass: Ogunlana Showcases Achievements, Sets New Direction for Directors, Pledges Enhanced Capacity Building, Condemns Attempted Illegal Picketing

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana, has reiterated his commitment to ensuring adequate training of personnel for optimal service delivery.

He made this known in Kano during a three-day workshop for Directors of the National Assembly. He was represented by the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Engr. Bashir Aminu Yero.

Ogunlana explained that the capacity-building programme for Directors of the National Assembly, themed “Leadership Masterclass for Effective Corporate Governance,” is timely and essential for the continued growth, professionalism, and institutional stability of the National Assembly.

Addressing the Directors, he noted that the National Assembly remains one of the world’s largest and busiest legislative institutions. With a workforce of over 4,000 career staff across various cadres, including more than 200 Directors, he emphasized the critical administrative, technical, and managerial roles they play in supporting the Legislature.

He stressed that the current generation of National Assembly staff stands out as the most experienced, exposed, and educated in the institution’s history. Despite this strong profile, he said Management remains committed to continuous training and retraining as a strategic investment. According to him, more than 3,000 personnel, including staff and legislative aides, have been trained this year alone, with many participating in international workshops, seminars, and conferences.

The Clerk stated that the ongoing training offers another opportunity for Directors to exchange knowledge, share experiences, strengthen teamwork, and expand professional networks, urging full and active participation.

Speaking further, he highlighted key achievements since assuming office on February 2nd. Within three months, Management:

Settled long-standing arrears of salaries and allowances arising from previous adjustments, wage increases, and wage awards;

Ensured prompt and consistent payment of salaries to staff and legislative aides;

Streamlined the payment of departmental imprest to guarantee that all Directors heading departments receive imprest;

Commenced payment of first 28 days allowances to all newly recruited staff and legislative aides;

Procured utility vehicles for critical departments;

Made significant investments in the National Assembly clinic, equipping the laboratory to conduct a wide range of tests internally;

Supported several staff and their dependants facing serious medical challenges, including financial assistance for treatment beyond the National Assembly clinic.

He added that Management is also working, despite budgetary constraints, to procure utility vehicles for all qualified Directors.

Ogunlana further emphasized Management’s belief that ownership and control of the National Assembly Complexes in Lagos and Abuja should be vested in the National Assembly Management, in line with global parliamentary standards.

He also noted that any future retirement policy must guarantee adequate pension and gratuity for staff who have devoted years of service to the nation.

Acknowledging challenges faced by Directors—such as delayed promotions due to limited vacancies, reporting structures where Directors answer to ranking Directors, and lack of adequate office accommodation—he said these issues require time and budgetary improvements to resolve. He urged Directors to work with Management to develop practical and sustainable solutions. He praised the establishment of the National Assembly Forum of Directors, noting the Management’s constant communication with the body in line with the CNA’s policy of democratizing decision-making.

Ogunlana also addressed what he described as an unfortunate attempt by certain misinformed staff to organize illegal picketing within the National Assembly Complex, allegedly aimed at disrupting legislative activities. He stressed that he has always maintained an open-door policy and even appointed a ‘Director Office Management’ to strengthen communication with staff.

Reminding Directors of their leadership responsibilities, he urged them to enforce discipline, uphold integrity, and maintain strict adherence to the National Assembly’s Conditions of Service. He expressed concern over rising indiscipline among a group calling themselves “Concern PASAN Staff,” which he attributed to a lack of understanding of public service norms and codes of conduct.

He stated that no formal complaint or demand notice was submitted before he was suddenly served a purported “Notice of Peaceful Picketing” signed by three GL 09 officers claiming to act on behalf of the group. According to him, credible intelligence revealed that the group opened a bank account to solicit funds for the illegal activity, with about 75 staff—including one Director—making contributions. The account has since been frozen, and contributors are being profiled for possible criminal prosecution.

He described allegations of Management interfering in intra-union disputes, short-paying salaries, or failing to remit statutory deductions as baseless and false. He warned that the National Assembly lies within a security zone, and any conduct capable of disrupting legislative business violates the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, amounting to a threat to national security.

Due to time constraints, the Clerk said he could not address every issue but expressed deep appreciation to all participants, the organizing team, the CNA, the Director of Training, resource persons, and the lead consultant for their efforts in putting the training together.