The maiden summit of the Nigerian Former Legislators Forum (NFLF), held on May 3, 2025, in the historic city of Enugu, served as a powerful convergence of legislative minds—past and present. The event was marked by a keynote address delivered by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu, which captured the essence of Nigeria’s legislative evolution and laid out a visionary roadmap for the future of the Forum.
In his speech, the Deputy Speaker emphasized the significance of the NFLF as more than a ceremonial body. He declared it a living institution—a reservoir of experience, insight, and national service—tasked with the duty of fortifying Nigerian democracy through continued engagement and leadership. He opened by acknowledging that Nigeria’s democratic landscape has been profoundly shaped by its legislators, many of whom have gone on to occupy top executive roles.
He cited examples of such transformative leaders: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who once served in the Senate and whose reforms now shape national development; First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu, renowned for her advocacy for social justice; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila; and SGF George Akume—all alumni of legislative chambers. He also praised state governors and former presiding officers such as Yakubu Dogara, Emeka Ihedioha, Anyim Pius Anyim, and Ken Nnamani, noting their impact as testaments to the legislature’s leadership potential.
Building on this lineage, the Deputy Speaker urged the NFLF to take deliberate steps toward institutional relevance. Drawing inspiration from models in the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa, he advocated for the development of structured support systems for former legislators. He spoke of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC), which leverages the knowledge of over 800 members for civic education and diplomacy. Likewise, the U.K.’s cross-party association of former MPs offers a framework for post-parliamentary engagement. These examples, he suggested, serve as blueprints Nigeria can adapt to its unique context.
The speech identified four key imperatives for the Forum. First, pension security: He proposed a hybrid system combining contributory schemes with social safety nets for indigent retirees, thus ensuring that years of service are honored with dignity. Second, holistic member welfare: The NFLF must serve as a political, economic, and social support system, offering networking, mentorship, and transition pathways into private and public sectors for former members.
Third, the institutionalization of legislative knowledge: The Deputy Speaker proposed the creation of a Knowledge Bureau within the Forum to house best practices and policy research, and to collaborate with universities for civic education. Fourth, he recommended special privileges—lifetime ID cards, healthcare access, parking facilities—managed by bipartisan committees to honor service while safeguarding integrity.
Hon kalu also emphasized the need for a robust organizational structure: an executive committee with staggered tenures, an advisory board with corporate and policy expertise, and diversified funding through endowments, dues, and grants. He called for the Forum to establish itself as a policy pressure group with real influence, guided by democratic values and bipartisan unity.
As the speech drew to a close, he urged the Forum to expand from its southeastern origins in Enugu to all geopolitical zones, becoming a true national body. With global partnerships and legislative diplomacy, the NFLF, he stated, could elevate Nigeria’s democratic voice on the world stage.
In his closing remarks, Kalu issued a rallying call: let no legislator’s impact end with their tenure. Instead, let their service evolve into a lasting legacy, one that shapes governance, fosters unity, and advances Nigeria’s journey toward greatness.