The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, has emphasized the need for state legislatures to harness the power of technology to enhance their oversight functions.
Ogundoyin made this call during the 7th Annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable, organized by the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation in conjunction with the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan.
The event commemorated the 75th posthumous birthday of the former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
In his goodwill message, Ogundoyin acknowledged the significance of legislative oversight in ensuring accountability, transparency, and responsiveness in governance.
However, he noted that legislative oversight in Nigeria faces numerous challenges, including inadequate resources, politicisation, corruption, and limited technical expertise.
To address these challenges, Ogundoyin advocated for the strengthening of institutional frameworks and capacities, as well as the leveraging of technology to enhance oversight processes.
He announced that the digitalization of all State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria will commence in the first quarter of 2025, thanks to the collaboration between the UNDP and the Conference of Speakers.
Ogundoyin also highlighted the importance of capacity building for lawmakers, citing the Oyo State House of Assembly’s recent training sessions on Legislative Committees’ effectiveness and oversight processes.
He commended the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation and the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies for organizing the Roundtable, emphasizing their commitment to promoting good governance, accountability, and transparency.
The Speaker urged lawmakers to draw inspiration from Senator Ajimobi’s life and legacy, striving to build a better future for Oyo State and Nigeria.
He emphasized the need for collective efforts to promote effective governance, accountability, and transparency.
