Top Nigerian political figures have joined other African legislative leaders in championing a robust role for parliaments in resolving conflicts and strengthening democracy across the continent. This call was made at a major continental gathering of speakers and presidents of African legislatures.
Legislatures Must Evolve Beyond Law-Making
The Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has declared that modern parliamentary leadership must move beyond traditional law-making duties. He asserted that legislative bodies should become proactive instruments for peace and development.
Abbas delivered this powerful message at the 3rd Annual General Assembly of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL). The event was hosted in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, from December 12 to 14, 2025.
He argued that in today's complex world, parliaments need to exercise strategic foresight and build institutional strength. "Our parliaments must serve as anchors of democratic stability and engines for inclusive growth," Abbas told the assembly.
CoSPAL's Founding Vision and Forward Plan
Also addressing the conference was the Founder and Pioneer Chairman of CoSPAL, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is also the Chief of Staff to the Nigerian President. He reflected on the organisation's creation, stating it was formed to fill a significant leadership void in Africa's legislative arena.
"Africa needed a coordinated platform of legislative leaders capable of shaping regional and global conversations," Gbajabiamila explained. He reaffirmed that CoSPAL's core purpose is to be a pan-African institution for deliberation, coordination, and unified action.
The Secretary-General of CoSPAL, Ambassador 'Dapo Oyewole, presented a progress update and the detailed 2026 Work Plan. He revealed that African leaders have agreed on a forward-looking agenda focusing on several key areas:
- Leadership development for legislators
- Capacity building for parliamentary institutions
- Enhancing parliamentary diplomacy
- Improving overall institutional effectiveness
Oyewole emphasized that the plan intentionally promotes women's leadership, youth participation, and social inclusion within parliamentary processes. He described this as a commitment to turning policy talks into tangible results that improve legislative leadership continent-wide.
A Unified Call for Strategic Continental Action
The Chairman of CoSPAL and Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, set the tone earlier with a powerful opening address. He urged African legislatures to break free from their conventional roles and claim a more strategic position in both continental and global affairs.
"Africa can no longer confine its influence to the walls of its parliamentary chambers," Bagbin stated. "Parliaments are not only law-making bodies; they are institutions of peace, development, accountability and global partnership."
The assembly, themed "Legislative Leadership and Parliamentary Diplomacy in a Changing Global Order," drew presiding officers, senior lawmakers, development partners, and experts. The meeting was held against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions and challenges to democratic systems.
Participants praised CoSPAL's growing relevance and collectively adopted the Rabat Declaration on Legislative Leadership in a Changing Global Order. This declaration solidifies their shared commitment to protect democracy, fortify institutions, and proactively advance Africa's interests on the world stage.
Oyewole extended gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco and the Speaker of its House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Rachid Talbi El Alami, for hosting the General Assembly in North Africa for the first time. He also acknowledged the sustained support from leaders like Bagbin, Gbajabiamila, and Abbas in driving the organisation's growth.
