A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ACT (NIIA) ACT 1961 CAP N113 LFN 2004 TO ESTABLISH A TRAINING SCHOOL TO PROVIDE FOR TRAINING IN DIPLOMATIC PRACTICES, AWARD OF CERTIFICATES AND POST GRADUATE DIPLOMAS AND OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH,
BE IT ENACTED by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as follows:
1. The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Act 1961 CAP N113 LFN 2004 (herein after referred to as the principal Act ) is hereby amended as set out below.
2. Section 2 (Objects) of the Principal Act is amended by introducing new clauses d, e and f as follows:
(d) to provide courses of instruction leading to diplomas, certificates and other institutional distinctions in international Affairs and diplomatic relations locally and internationally and such related studies as may be prescribed;
(e) to provide courses of instruction and other facilities for the pursuit of learning in all its branches, and to make those facilities available on proper terms to such persons as are equipped to benefit from them;
(f) to encourage, promote and conduct research in the fields of international and diplomatic relations ; and
(g) to undertake any other activities appropriate for an Institute of the highest standard.
Section 2 of the Principal Act is hereby further amended by inserting a new Section 2A in the Act as follows:
2A. Establishment and objects of Training School of the Institute
(1) There shall be established within the Institute as an integral part thereof, a training school of the institute which shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal.
(2) The objects of the Training School shall be—
(a) to provide courses of instruction leading to diplomas, certificates and other institutional distinctions in international Affairs and such related studies as may be prescribed;
(b) to provide special training courses, whether leading to postgraduate distinctions or not, for such persons as may be prescribed, taking into account at all times the requirements of the National University Commission;
(c) to conduct research, with particular reference to research in the field of international affairs, diplomatic relations and foreign relations and affairs;
(d) to arrange conferences, seminars, study groups and like activities; and
(e) to perform such other functions as may be conferred on it by statute.
(3) the Training school shall have the power to appoint subject to the approval of the Council relevant instructors drawn from with relevant qualification and expertise within and outside Nigeria
a. the institute’s Research Department,
b. retired and serving Nigerian Diplomats,
c. Academic Professors
d. International Law Experts
Notwithstanding the above the institutes shall appoint/employ above listed category and or the appointments of other experts on Permanent/Temporary basis as may be required to carry out its object of training under this Act.
Section 8 is hereby amended by inserting in the Act as a new Section 8A as follows:
8A Departments of the institute
There shall be established in the institute for the purpose of carrying out its objects under this Act;
a. Department of international Cooperation and Public Affairs
b. Information and Communication Technology(ICT) Department
c. etc
Notwithstanding the establishment of the above listed Committees, the Institutes shall have the powers to create further and additional Committee for the purpose of carrying out its objects under this Act.
This Bill may be cited as the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (Amendment) Act Bill, 2015.
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
The Bill seeks to provide a legal framework for the establishment of a department for the training of persons by the institute, for the creation of relevant departments by the institute in furtherance of its object under its substantive and present amendment Act and to organise trainings and seminars in international, diplomatic and consular relations in Nigeria.
