ORIXINE JOINS PLAC ON THE LAUNCH OF ITS DIGITAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM.

ORIXINE JOINS PLAC ON THE LAUNCH OF ITS DIGITAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM IN ABUJA.

On Wednesday, 14th April 2025, Orixine participated in the official launch of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre’s (PLAC) digital legislative platform. The newly unveiled platforms are designed to improve access to legislative information, foster citizen participation in lawmaking, and support evidence-based policy advocacy. By offering real-time updates on bills, committee activities, and plenary sessions, these tools aim to make Nigeria’s legislative processes more inclusive, accountable, and accessible. Orixine is also working with RSTL and NCDC on similar platform for public health laws in Nigeria as part of the legal Surveillance mechanisms for the country.

The newly launched platforms include:

PLAC BillsTrack — An online system monitoring the progress of bills in the National Assembly, offering users access to bill texts, sponsors, analyses, and infographics.
PLAC Legislative Agenda Tracker — A digital tool providing real-time updates on the implementation of the National Assembly’s legislative priorities, tracking key bills, reforms, and oversight activities.
PLAC Legislative Repository — A comprehensive digital archive of legislative documents, laws, and research resources dating back to 1999.

At the launch of the platforms in Abuja, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Hon. Victor Ibuzor, commended the initiative as a timely response to public concerns over limited transparency, weak legislative oversight, and insufficient citizen engagement.

In his opening remarks, PLAC Executive Director Mr. Clement Nwankwo underscored the vital role of transparency in legislative governance. “The presence of the legislature represents the distinction between a democracy and a dictatorship. Its deliberations and decisions must be transparent and responsive to the people it serves,” Nwankwo said.

Omolara Akinyeye, Deputy Executive Director at PLAC, emphasized that the platforms were developed for both lawmakers and the Nigerian public, empowering citizens with tools to monitor legislative actions and hold their representatives accountable.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Mr. Chris Okeke, Governance Team Lead, applauded the initiative as a reflection of longstanding collaboration between civil society and the legislature. These platforms will enhance public participation, improve legislative oversight, and promote transparency and value for money in governance,” Okeke said. He expressed hope that the platform will reduce information asymmetry, improve accountability, and ensure value for money, especially for researchers.

The event concluded with a live demonstration of the platforms, with stakeholders encouraged to utilize the tools, engage actively with legislative processes, and contribute to strengthening democratic governance in Nigeria.