Long breaks and a failing legislature

The growing calls for part-time legislation in Nigeria have once again gained traction, and with good reason. The latest trigger is the troubling report that federal lawmakers have already spent more than 90 days on recess in 2026, even before the year reaches its halfway mark. The situation becomes even more concerning with party primaries […]

The growing calls for part-time legislation in Nigeria have once again gained traction, and with good reason. The latest trigger is the troubling report that federal lawmakers have already spent more than 90 days on recess in 2026, even before the year reaches its halfway mark. The situation becomes even more concerning with party primaries scheduled between April 23 and May 30, and campaigns set to begin in August. With these timelines, lawmakers are expected to prioritise constituency mobilisation, leaving limited time to meet constitutional sitting requirements.

The report shows that legislative productivity in 2026 has been sharply constrained by repeated recesses and adjournments. In the first quarter alone, the National Assembly sat for just 17 days out of about 90, meaning it was inactive for roughly 77.1 per cent of the period. This pattern is part of a longer trend: since its inauguration on June 13, 2023, the 10th National Assembly has reportedly spent 581 out of 1,003 days on recess, compared with 422 days of actual sittings. The situation worsened in 2025, when lawmakers recorded only 141 sitting days, falling 40 days short of the constitutional minimum of 181 days, and spending about 61.3 per cent of the year away from plenary.

At a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship, insecurity, inflation and unemployment, the country’s legislators have repeatedly chosen absence over duty.

This development is not only unfortunate, but it is also damaging to democratic accountability. Whether many Nigerians acknowledge it or not, the legislature remains a critical arm of government in any democracy. The National Assembly is expected to make laws, scrutinise the executive, ensure accountability in public spending and represent the interests of citizens. But when lawmakers are absent for extended periods, that constitutional responsibility is weakened.

Unfortunately, many Nigerians have become detached from the National Assembly because the institution itself increasingly appears disconnected from the urgency of the nation’s problems. The repeated and lengthy recesses by lawmakers reinforce the growing perception that the legislature has become more ceremonial than functional.

Based on the not-so-convincing performance of its predecessor, the 10th National Assembly came into office amid high expectations. Nigerians hoped it would rise to the occasion at a time of severe national challenges. Instead, public confidence in the institution has continued to decline. From the outset, political calculations linked to the 2027 elections appeared to dominate attention far more than legislative seriousness.

Even when the chambers are in session, Nigerians are often confronted with the embarrassing spectacle of largely empty seats during plenary. Frequently, the number of absent lawmakers appears to outnumber those present. This raises serious questions about commitment, productivity and value for money.

It is, therefore, not surprising that many citizens now openly question whether Nigeria truly needs a full-time legislature operating at such enormous cost. The repeated absences of lawmakers have unintentionally strengthened the argument for part-time legislation. In truth, the lawmakers themselves are helping to justify this demand.

Nigeria operates one of the costliest governance systems relative to its economic realities. Yet, despite the huge financial burden imposed on taxpayers, legislative productivity has not reflected the scale of investment. There is a growing feeling among Nigerians that lawmakers have effectively turned their constitutional duties into part-time engagements while continuing to enjoy the privileges and benefits of full-time public office.

Advocates of part-time legislation have long argued that reducing the operational burden of the legislature would free up scarce resources for critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and social welfare. The current situation has only amplified that argument.

Beyond the issue of cost, there is also the question of legislative rigour. Serious lawmaking requires detailed scrutiny, consultations, debates and oversight. Yet, many Nigerians believe that several important bills have been processed without the depth and seriousness expected from a vibrant parliament.

This concern becomes even more pronounced when compared with the speed at which requests from the executive are often approved. On numerous occasions, proposals from the Presidency have moved through the National Assembly with minimal resistance or detailed scrutiny. This has reinforced the long-standing criticism that the legislature functions largely as a rubber stamp for the executive.

More troubling is the contrast between the urgency attached to political controversies and the seeming lethargy surrounding national emergencies. For a significant period, public discourse around the National Assembly was dominated by the controversy involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Yet, during the same period, insecurity continued to claim lives, inflation remained crushing, and millions of Nigerians struggled to survive.

Nigerians naturally ask: how many days have lawmakers devoted to debating serious national issues compared with the time spent on defections, political drama and partisan calculations?

The legislature is traditionally referred to as the hallowed chamber. But repeated absenteeism, endless recesses and questionable priorities have steadily hollowed out the institution’s credibility. Citizens who struggle daily under harsh economic conditions should not be compelled to fund a legislature that increasingly appears unavailable for the better part of the year.

At Daily Trust, it is our belief that it is time for an honest national conversation on legislative reform. Nigeria must revisit the structure, size and cost of its parliament. The country should seriously examine the merits of transitioning to a part-time legislature, especially if lawmakers themselves continue to operate in a manner that resembles part-time engagement.

At the very least, lawmakers’ remuneration should reflect their level of engagement and measurable productivity. Nigerians cannot continue to shoulder the enormous cost of governance while essential public services remain underfunded.