The Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) has formalised a strategic partnership with the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF), strengthening its institutional support for legislative development and its flagship youth leadership programme, the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI).
On Wednesday, 25 February, CoSPAL Secretary-General, Amb. ’Dapo Oyewole, led the CoSPAL team, alongside delegates from the Otto Suhr Institute for Political Science, Berlin, led by Prof. Anja Osei, on a courtesy visit to the National Assembly Library Trust Fund. The delegation was received by Hon. Henry Nwawuba, Executive Secretary of NALTF.
The engagement culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CoSPAL and NALTF, formalising a strategic partnership to strengthen collaboration and capacity development within the legislative space.
Strengthening LMI’s Impact
A significant dimension of the partnership is its support for the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), CoSPAL’s flagship youth leadership development programme designed to nurture a new generation of legislative leaders.
The partnership provides an important institutional foundation for advancing LMI’s mission of preparing young people to participate meaningfully in legislative and governance processes. By strengthening CoSPAL’s collaboration with NALTF, the MoU creates opportunities to further enrich the experiences, learning and institutional exposure available to LMI Fellows.
For young leaders preparing for careers in public service, meaningful legislative leadership requires more than understanding how Parliament works. It requires the ability to engage with institutions, understand policy and legislative processes, and contribute effectively to governance. The partnership strengthens the ecosystem within which LMI develops these capacities.
Building Pathways for Future Legislative Leaders
Through LMI, CoSPAL continues to invest in young people who aspire to contribute to legislative leadership and democratic governance. The CoSPAL–NALTF partnership reinforces this commitment by connecting youth leadership development with established legislative institutions.