Deputy Speaker, Kalu Urges Inter-Parliamentary Union to extend WTO capacity-building programme to Nigerian parliamentarians

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called on the Inter-Parliamentary Union to extend its ongoing capacity-building programme on the World Trade Organisation to Nigerian parliamentarians.

Kalu made the call on Friday in Geneva, Switzerland, during the 57th Session of the Steering Committee of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO, where he argued that stronger parliamentary understanding of global trade rules was critical to Nigeria’s economic interests.

The intervention followed consideration of the proposed future activities of the Parliamentary Conference, which includes a follow-up workshop for Ivorian parliamentarians and an introductory workshop for Ghanaian lawmakers on the workings of the WTO and parliamentary participation in global trade governance. The programme also seeks to deepen parliamentary involvement in the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Kalu said the need for such capacity building could not be overstated, noting that many lawmakers lacked adequate understanding of the complex workings of the WTO and global trade policies that increasingly shape domestic economic legislation.

He stressed that parliamentarians needed to understand the rationale behind international trade policies so they could contribute more effectively to laws and policies that would enable developing countries, particularly Nigeria, to derive greater benefits from the global trading system.

According to him, the planned expansion of the African free trade corridor makes the issue even more urgent, as African lawmakers must understand the rules governing international trade if the continent is to participate effectively in the emerging economic architecture.

Kalu warned that inadequate knowledge of global trade rules could leave Nigeria and other African countries at a disadvantage in the evolving trade space.

“We cannot afford to have our parliamentarians isolated from the trade space while decisions taken at the global level increasingly influence our domestic economies and legislation,” he said.

He argued that Nigerian lawmakers should be equipped to scrutinise trade agreements, understand their implications and contribute meaningfully to negotiations and implementation.

Kalu’s proposal was accepted by the IPU Secretary-General, Anda Filip, who reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to working with him towards extending the capacity-building initiative to Nigerian parliamentarians.

The Deputy Speaker said stronger parliamentary participation would ultimately contribute to a more informed and inclusive WTO, particularly in ensuring that the interests of developing economies are adequately represented.

He also called for parliamentary engagement to move beyond attendance at international conferences to sustained capacity building, legislative oversight and practical contributions to the global trade agenda.