Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, CFR, has stated that sustained collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government remains crucial to democratic consolidation in Nigeria, dismissing claims that the National Assembly operates as an appendage of the executive.
Jibrin made the remarks on Wednesday in Ilorin while delivering the 15th convocation lecture of Al-Hikmah University titled “Managing Executive–Legislative Relations Towards Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.”
He explained that cooperation between both arms of government was a deliberate strategy to ensure effective governance, noting that constructive engagement should not be misconstrued as weakness or subservience.
According to him, the current cordial relationship between the executive and legislature is largely due to President Bola Tinubu’s experience as a former governor and lawmaker, which has enhanced consultation and mutual understanding.
Jibrin said proposed bills are often discussed with lawmakers before formal presentation, allowing for corrections and faster legislative processes.
“Some have misconstrued this healthy collaboration as the legislature being a rubber stamp of the executive,” he said, adding that conflict should not be encouraged when cooperation delivers results for the nation.
He recalled that tensions between both arms of government were more pronounced at the beginning of the Fourth Republic due to the lingering effects of prolonged military rule, when leadership styles were more directive than consultative.
The Deputy Senate President stressed that sustaining democracy requires wisdom, restraint and strict adherence to constitutional principles, noting that Nigeria’s democratic journey must be measured not just by longevity but by the depth of democratic practice.
Addressing graduating students, he urged them to uphold democratic values, demand accountability and contribute positively to nation-building, saying democracy thrives on enlightened citizens and principled leadership.
The lecture was part of activities marking Al-Hikmah University’s 15th convocation ceremony, held over two days, January 7 and 8, at the Moot Court Arena of the university’s Atere Campus in Ilorin.
During the ceremony, the university conferred 2,192 first degrees, including 76 First Class, 1,008 Second Class Upper, 996 Second Class Lower and 112 Third Class graduates.
A total of 641 postgraduate degrees were also awarded across six faculties: Humanities and Social Sciences (296), Education (190), Health Sciences (83), Computing, Engineering and Technology (50), Natural and Applied Sciences (12), and Management Sciences (10).
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Lateef Oladimeji, described the number of graduands as the highest in the institution’s history.
In his convocation address, Professor Oladimeji announced a review and increase in staff salaries and welfare packages to mitigate prevailing economic challenges, noting that the measures were aimed at boosting morale, productivity and institutional stability.
He said the ceremony was the first convocation he would preside over since his appointment as the 6th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University on July 14, 2025, and unveiled the stress-free agenda, a ten-point strategic framework for governance and institutional growth.
Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, said Nigeria’s development depends on universities producing graduates with strong character in addition to academic excellence.
He commended Al-Hikmah University for combining moral values with academic standards and urged the graduands to see their education as a responsibility to society.
The second day of the convocation featured the presentation of prizes to outstanding students, including the overall best graduating student award won by Gambari Sekinat of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Management Sciences, for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The ceremony attracted dignitaries from across the country, including the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), traditional rulers from Kwara State and northern Nigeria, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Yusuf Olaolu Alli, SAN, former Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and the President of NACCIMA, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim.
