Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has called for stronger legislative oversight through closer collaboration between the National Assembly and civil society organisations (CSOs), saying greater accountability is essential if government policies are to deliver meaningful benefits to Nigerians.
Speaking during the National Assembly Open Week in Abuja on Tuesday, Dogara expressed concern that despite over 25 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, many Nigerians have yet to experience the full benefits of decisions made by the legislature.
He questioned why there remains a significant gap between what the National Assembly approves and what citizens ultimately receive, stressing that effective legislative oversight should expose corruption, inefficiency and poor governance. According to him, oversight should not merely fulfil constitutional requirements but must function as a practical tool for ensuring accountability and value for public resources.
Dogara commended the leadership of the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, for organising the National Assembly Open Week.
He described the initiative as a bold step toward greater transparency, noting that it creates opportunities for lawmakers to engage directly with civil society organisations, the media and members of the public. The former Speaker warned that oversight loses its relevance when reduced to a ceremonial exercise instead of protecting the interests of citizens.
Dogara argued that civil society organisations should be recognised as strategic partners in strengthening democratic institutions. According to him, CSOs often possess valuable grassroots information that may not be readily available to lawmakers, making them indispensable in monitoring government projects. He described civil society groups as the “eyes and ears” of the legislature because they can provide credible evidence on project implementation and identify gaps requiring legislative attention.
Reflecting on his time as Speaker, Dogara recalled supporting the inclusion of civil society representatives during budget defence sessions despite resistance from some lawmakers. He maintained that institutions unwilling to embrace public scrutiny ultimately weaken public confidence. The former Speaker identified the disconnect between budget approvals and actual project implementation as one of Nigeria’s biggest governance challenges, insisting that it reflects failures in accountability rather than a lack of development.
Dogara urged the National Assembly to devote the same level of commitment to monitoring budget implementation as it does to passing appropriation bills.
He also encouraged the executive arm of government to embrace transparency and cooperate constructively with oversight institutions, while advising civil society organisations to support legislative work with verified data and credible evidence. He further called for the institutionalisation of partnerships between the National Assembly and civil society beyond annual events, arguing that sustained collaboration would strengthen legislative oversight, improve accountability and deepen Nigeria’s democratic governance.
According to Dogara, democracy flourishes when institutions welcome scrutiny, transparency and shared responsibility, adding that lawmakers, parliamentary staff and civil society organisations must work together to ensure government policies and public projects translate into real improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
