The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has formally petitioned Nigeria’s Minister of Education, seeking intervention and an investigation into the alleged irregular award of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in conjunction with the Federal University, Lokoja.
ALDRAP contends that these awards violate established National Universities Commission (NUC) standards.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Minister of Education, ALDRAP, a non-profit NGO dedicated to ensuring compliance with Nigerian legislation, stated, “We have it on record that whereas the NUC granted accreditation to the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) to conduct professional master’s degree programmes in conjunction with the University of Benin. However, in breach of the said accreditation, graduates of the said institute are now permitted to enrol in PhD programmes at the Federal University, Lokoja.”
The petition highlights that the “first batch has just graduated,” providing a memo and photograph from the graduation event dated May 28, 2025. This document, titled “Federal University Lokoja Makes History: Graduates First-Ever PhD Candidates in Legislative Governance Studies,” announced the graduation of eight pioneering PhD candidates in Legislative Governance Studies (PhD in Legislative Studies and Parliamentary Administration) from the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) Postgraduate School.
The graduates’ appreciation news stated, “This landmark occasion follows three rigorous years of intensive academic research, teaching, knowledge production, and committed learning. The successful completion of our external defences (viva voce) signals not just a personal triumph for us but a significant milestone in Africa and Nigeria’s academic and governance landscape.”
The graduates expressed immense gratitude to the vice-chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwunmi, “for conceiving and nurturing this historic academic initiative and specialised manpower development hub. Sir, your unwavering commitment and leadership excellence laid the foundation for this groundbreaking success.”
They also extended “heartfelt appreciation to the Provost of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Emmanuel Ibileye; the Director of the School of Governance and Development Studies, Professor Rotimi Matthew Ajayi; and the Head of the Department of Political Science, Professor Segun Joseph, for their leadership, dedication, and tireless efforts in bringing the Vice-Chancellor’s vision to reality.”
The graduating cohort specifically acknowledged “the Director-General and Management of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, for their enduring support, institutional collaboration, and solidarity throughout this journey.” They also thanked supervisors, lecturers, examiners, and internal and post-field examiners for their guidance.
The historic FULOKOJA PhD Course 1 pioneer graduates, including Shu’aibu Maina Birma, Fatima Saleh, Amb. Chibuzo Okereke, Mohammed Sani Tahir, Adeboboye Taofeek Adekunle, Abubakar Sodeeq Suleiman, Abubakar Muri, and Aliyu Maccido signed the appreciation news, concluding that “A new academic era has dawned, and the future of legislative governance scholarship begins here.”
ALDRAP’s letter to the Minister of Education ends with, “We look forward to your prompt and positive response,” indicating their expectation for a thorough investigation into the alleged accreditation breach.
