NASS clerk demands special salary structure for aides

• Ogunlana said the absence of a comprehensive law defining aides’ duties exposes them to arbitrary treatment and unfair workplace decisions.
• He argued that political appointees deserve conditions of service that recognise their contributions beyond the rigid civil service template.

The clerk of the national assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, has called for the creation of a special salary structure for legislative aides.

Ogunlana made the call in Abuja on Tuesday during a three-day capacity-building training organised for legislative aides by the assembly in collaboration with Research Enterprise Systems.

He said the demand became necessary to tackle the financial and structural challenges faced by aides working with lawmakers in both chambers.

“We are not unaware of the challenges you face,” Ogunlana told participants at the workshop.

He noted that although legislative aides are political appointees, their conditions of service are tied to the civil service template.

According to him, the arrangement does not reflect the peculiar realities of their work in the national assembly.

“Unlike the career civil servant, your appointments do not guarantee job security, tenure is largely dependent on your principals, and ranking is often not based on qualifications or competence,” he said.

He also lamented the absence of a clear law or guideline defining the duties of aides across different cadres.

“This leaves gaps that sometimes expose you to arbitrary decisions and unfair treatment,” he added.

Ogunlana said the management of the assembly believes the issues must be addressed without further delay.

“We are advocating that the National Assembly Service Commission and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission should consider developing a distinct salary structure and conditions of service that reflect the unique nature of your work,” he said.

“We also believe the qualifications for appointments should be reviewed to attract competent and experienced personnel.

“Equally important is the need for mechanisms to prevent arbitrary termination of appointments by principals.”

The chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Saviour Enyiekere, also urged aides to be more knowledgeable and skilful than their principals.

“Your effectiveness will reflect on the quality of output in both chambers of the national assembly,” Enyiekere said.

The training attracted chiefs of staff to presiding officers, special advisers, and senior legislative aides.