NASS underperforms, again

Nigeria's 10th National Assembly is underperforming, failing to deliver on a significant majority of its legislative commitments, according to a recent report by the AdvoKC Foundation. The study, conducted via its Promise Tracker NG platform, examined the promises made by lawmakers since the current assembly began its tenure in June 2023.

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federal lawmakers failed to fulfil 68 of the 92 commitments made since the beginning of their tenure in June 2023.

The findings reveal a stark picture: 68 out of 92 commitments remain unfulfilled. The House of Representatives scored a fulfillment rate of 26.8 percent, while the Senate managed 44.11 percent. This performance suggests a fundamental misunderstanding of the legislature's role in governance, with lawmakers seemingly prioritizing their own interests and a comfortable relationship with the executive over their constitutional duties of lawmaking and oversight.

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The House of Representatives recorded a fulfilment score of 26.8 per cent, while the Senate posted 44.11 per cent.

Promise Tracker monitored 56 commitments from the House and 34 from the Senate across crucial sectors like healthcare, education, the economy, governance, and security. The House fulfilled only 13 commitments, classifying four as compromised and 39 as broken. The Senate delivered nine commitments, with twelve deemed compromised and thirteen unfulfilled. Even in areas where some progress was noted, such as education and economic development, the achievements were deemed insufficient.

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The parliament continues to underperform because it has fundamentally misunderstood its role, principles and purpose within the governance ecosystem.

The report highlights specific failures, including the lack of meaningful impact on the crisis of 18.3 million out-of-school children and the unresolved status of electoral reforms and constitutional amendments. The House scored zero percent in economy and jobs and a mere 6.0 percent in governance and political reform. Analysts suggest the assembly mistakenly equates legislative independence with opposition to the executive, while viewing compliance as good governance.

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It appears to consider its cosy relationship with the executive more important than its constitutional responsibilities of lawmaking and oversight, which are essential to governance and development.