Legislature sustains Nigeria’s democracy- Jibrin
By Tajudeen Babamale
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has reaffirmed the central role of the legislature in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy since the country’s return to civil rule in 1999.
Delivering a lecture, titled “The Role of Legislature in Strengthening Democratic Governance in Nigeria” last Monday (December 1, 2025) at a Distinguished Personality Lecture organised in his honour by the Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin, Senator Jibrin described the legislature as the heartbeat of democratic governance and the institution that best represents the will of the people.
According to him, through its core mandates of lawmaking, oversight, representation, and budgetary authority, the National Assembly and state legislatures have shaped the country’s democratic trajectory and ensured the protection of the rule of law.
He noted that the legislature remains indispensable in checking executive excesses, promoting accountability, and strengthening public institutions.
Senator Jibrin, who represents Kano North at the Senate, acknowledged that despite progress recorded over the last 25 years, several structural and institutional constraints still impede legislative effectiveness.
He stressed that deepening democratic governance will require sustained reforms aimed at enhancing legislative independence and capacity.
He outlined key reforms necessary for strengthening the legislature, including full financial autonomy for legislative bodies, strengthening committee systems, improving access to research and policy analysis, and promoting open parliament initiatives such as live-streaming plenary sessions and publishing committee reports for public scrutiny.
The Deputy Senate President further called for the reinforcement of ethical standards, deeper engagement between the legislature, civil society, and the academic community, as well as constitutional and electoral reforms that will protect legislative powers and promote functional local government administration.
Declaring the Public Lecture open, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, said that the Lecture was timely and significant, noting that discussions on strengthening democratic governance could not have come at a better moment in Nigeria’s political development.
Speaking through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, Prof. Egbewole explained that universities have a critical responsibility to provide platforms for informed dialogue on national issues, particularly those that shape governance, institutional stability, and civic participation.
While affirming that the University of Ilorin remains committed to fostering such engagements as part of its mandate to contribute meaningfully to national development, the Vice Chancellor commended the Department of Political Science for sustaining the tempo of intellectual discourse through its Distinguished Personality Lecture series.
According to him, the Department has consistently demonstrated leadership in presenting lectures that address pressing and emerging national issues and in hosting eminent personalities whose insights contribute to public understanding.
Prof. Egbewole also noted that the choice of Senator Jibrin as the speaker was fitting, describing him as a figure whose stature aligns with the importance of the theme of the event.
He expressed confidence that the Lecture would enrich students’ understanding and broaden public discourse on the role of the legislature in democratic consolidation.
In his welcome address, the Head of the Department of Political Science, Dr Abdulkareem Jimoh Edun, described the Distinguished Personality Lecture as a vital platform for intellectual engagement between academia and public office holders.
Dr Edun noted that the Lecture provides students and scholars with an opportunity to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical governance realities, especially at a time when Nigeria faces multifaceted political, economic, and security challenges.
The don, who stated that the Distinguished Personality Lecture series serves as a unique avenue for robust institutional dialogue and national reflection, commended Senator Jibrin for being a distinguished legislator and statesman whose contributions to national development, institutional reforms, and youth empowerment align with the leadership ideals the Department aims to showcase to its students. reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to promoting political education, legislative literacy, and civic consciousness, adding that hosting the Deputy Senate President underscored the dedication of the University to academic excellence, national visibility, and sustained relevance in national discourse.
