Ogundoyin seeks Chinese support for digitising Nigerian State Legislatures

Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, has called for Chinese support to advance the digital transformation of Nigeria’s state legislatures.

The appeal was made during a courtesy visit to the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Yu Dunhai, at the Chinese Embassy in Abuja on July 4, 2025.

Representing Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies, Ogundoyin expressed gratitude for the warm reception and conveyed goodwill from the state legislatures.

He outlined key areas for collaboration, including “legislative capacity building, digital governance infrastructure, education and technology exchange, and strategic investment in infrastructure, agriculture, and SMEs.”

Emphasizing the need for modernization, Ogundoyin stated, “In line with global best practices, we are keen on fully digitizing legislative processes at the sub-national level in Nigeria to enhance transparency, citizen participation, and institutional efficiency.”

He added, “Our vision is to build smart, responsive, and transparent legislative institutions that meet today’s digital demands. China’s expertise in e-governance and legislative innovation presents a valuable opportunity for us to learn and adapt.”

Ogundoyin also sought to leverage China’s expertise in legislative drafting, committee systems, and development-focused policy frameworks to strengthen Nigeria’s lawmaking institutions.

He further advocated for educational exchange programs, scholarships, and technology transfers to empower Nigerian youths and foster innovation, stating, “China’s experience… presents a valuable opportunity for us to learn and adapt.”

In response, Ambassador Yu Dunhai welcomed the initiative and praised the Conference of Speakers for its commitment to development.

He assured that the Chinese government is open to exploring “mutual areas of cooperation that would further strengthen China-Nigeria bilateral relations, especially at the sub-national level.”

Ogundoyin reaffirmed the Conference’s dedication to sustained engagement with China to drive national growth, signaling a potential deepening of sub-national ties between the two nations.