Fiscal Reforms Demand Transparency, Data-Driven Leadership, Says NILDS DG

• Tasks RMAFC commissioners on integrity, innovation to strengthen governance

• Warns of rising fiscal pressures, revenue volatility, public demand for accountability

• Training targets capacity gaps, institutional efficiency

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Director-General of National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abubakar Sulaiman, on Monday declared that Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal reforms required a new cadre of transparent, data-driven and strategically minded leaders.

Sulaiman charged commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to rise to the challenge of strengthening the country’s fiscal governance framework.

Sulaiman, a former Minister of National Planning, made the assertions at the opening of a capacity-building programme for RMAFC commissioners at the NILDS complex in Abuja.

He said the success of Nigeria’s fiscal federalism would depend largely on the competence, foresight, and integrity of those entrusted with managing the country’s revenue architecture.

He stressed that the commission occupied a pivotal position in Nigeria’s development process, given its constitutional mandate to monitor accruals into the federation account and advise on revenue allocation across the three tiers of government.

According to him, “The effectiveness of Nigeria’s fiscal federalism rests significantly on the strength, foresight and integrity of this commission.”

He underscored the urgency for commissioners to embrace transparency, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The NILDS director-general conveyed the goodwill of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, stating that the National Assembly remains committed to supporting institutional reforms aimed at stabilising public finance and boosting revenue generation.

He observed that Nigeria was currently navigating far-reaching fiscal and economic reforms designed to improve transparency and enhance efficiency in public finance management, but warned that the reforms were not without significant challenges.

Among the challenges, he listed revenue volatility, competing interests among sub-national governments, and increasing public demand for accountability as critical pressures confronting the system.

Sulaiman said, “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 explained that the capacity-building programme was deliberately structured to equip participants with practical tools in key areas, such as revenue tracking, stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, and results-oriented management.

Sulaiman expressed confidence that the training would enhance the ability of commissioners to translate strategic policy objectives into measurable outcomes, while strengthening collaboration with critical stakeholders across government.

“We expect that at the end of this engagement, you will be better positioned to drive institutional reforms that will enhance efficiency, transparency and public confidence,” he added.

Reaffirming NILDS’ role as the knowledge management arm of the National Assembly, the director-general emphasised that strong institutions were built on strong leadership. He stated that sustained investment in human capacity development remained central to democratic governance and national development.

In a complementary address, Chairman of the Committee on National Assembly Liaison and Special Duties of the Commission, Abdulazeez King, said the training was designed to address urgent capacity gaps and reposition the commission for improved efficiency and professionalism.

King explained that the programme was tailored for both newly appointed commissioners and existing staff with expanded responsibilities, serving as both an orientation platform and a refresher course to align participants with institutional values and operational expectations.

“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 said the training would focus on critical areas, including legislative engagement, intergovernmental relations, and execution of special assignments, which he described as the backbone of effective public sector performance.

During the three-day exercise, participants were expected to engage seasoned experts in interactive sessions designed to enhance their day-to-day operational effectiveness and decision-making capacity.

The committee chairman urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity by actively engaging in discussions, asking questions and sharing practical experiences that could enrich the learning process.

“The success of this programme depends largely on your active participation. I encourage you to fully immerse yourselves in the sessions,” he said.

King also expressed appreciation to the leadership of the commission and resource persons for their support, expressing optimism that the programme would translate into measurable improvements in competence and service delivery.

He said, “It is our expectation that participants will emerge with enhanced professionalism and a renewed commitment to the ideals of public service.”

The capacity-building initiative was part of broader efforts to strengthen institutional effectiveness and deepen fiscal governance amid Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape, as policymakers intensified reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, equity, and sustainable revenue management.