Parliamentary democracy and citizen's welfare in Nigeria: The case of National Assembly

Abstract

This study examined how National Assembly's legislation has facilitated or enhanced citizen's social welfare in Nigeria. Based on qualitative research methods and post‐colonial theory, the study argued that the National Assembly has primarily elevated its private interests (including the interests of the executive arm) above qualitative pro‐people legislation that could enhance citizen's social welfare. Between 2015 and 2018, only 12 out of the 86 bills passed and assented to by the President were related to, and had direct effects on citizen's social welfare in Nigeria. Hence, an estimated 86.9 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty. Unemployment rate increased from 10.57% of total labor force in 2012 to 22.56% in 2018. Key challenges include: poor communication between lawmakers and the citizens, frequent turnover of legislators, lack of experience/technical capacity, corrupt tendencies and executive–legislative crisis. Thus, citizens' engagement via town hall meetings and public interactions is imperative for the enactment of qualitative pro‐people legislation that improves people's lives and social welfare.