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The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, has called for the creation of a separate salary structure and working conditions for legislative aides attached to lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Ogunlana made the call in Abuja on Tuesday during a three-day capacity-building workshop for legislative aides. The training was organised by the National Assembly in collaboration with Research Enterprise Systems (RES) to strengthen knowledge and capacity among aides working with the 469 federal lawmakers.
Speaking at the event, the clerk explained that legislative aides face unique financial and structural challenges that the current system does not address. He noted that although aides are classified as political appointees, their pay and service conditions are tied to the civil service structure, which does not reflect the peculiar nature of their roles.
“We are not unaware of the challenges you face,” Ogunlana told the participants. “Unlike career civil servants, your jobs are not secure, your tenure is tied to your principals, and promotions are not always based on qualifications or competence. There are also no clear laws or guidelines defining your duties, which sometimes leaves you vulnerable to arbitrary treatment.”
He stressed that it was time to address these gaps, adding that the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) should develop a distinct salary structure tailored for aides. Ogunlana also suggested reviewing the qualification requirements for appointments in order to attract competent and experienced staff.
“Equally important is the need to create safeguards against arbitrary dismissal of aides by lawmakers. This is necessary to protect professionalism and ensure fairness,” he added.
Also speaking, the chairman of NASC, Saviour Enyiekere, urged aides to improve their knowledge and skills so they could make meaningful contributions to the legislative process. “You must be more knowledgeable and skilful than your principals. The quality of your work will reflect on the output of both chambers of the National Assembly,” he said.
The workshop was attended by different categories of aides, including chiefs of staff to presiding officers, special advisers, senior legislative aides (SLAs), and technical assistants. The programme focused on building competence in lawmaking, policy analysis, and legislative support systems.
Observers say the demand for a new salary structure comes at a time when debates around public service remuneration, political appointments, and efficiency of governance are becoming more prominent in Nigeria. While lawmakers enjoy significant benefits and allowances, their aides—who play critical roles in research, drafting, and policy development—have often complained about poor welfare and lack of career security.
Analysts also argue that a better-structured welfare system for legislative aides would enhance the quality of parliamentary work and reduce friction between lawmakers and their support staff. By setting clearer guidelines on appointments, pay, and job roles, experts believe the National Assembly could strengthen professionalism, reduce turnover, and attract young Nigerians with strong policy and research backgrounds.
The discussion on welfare and career progression for aides is expected to continue as the National Assembly reviews its internal policies and works with relevant commissions to implement reforms. For now, aides remain hopeful that the clerk’s call will lead to concrete actions that will improve their conditions of service.
