Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has espoused the critical role of legislative oversight in ensuring transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in governance.
He made these remarks during the 7th Annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable which coincided with the 75th posthumous birthday celebration of the former governor, held at the Abiola Ajimobi Resource Centre, Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan.
Themed “Legislative Oversight and Accountability in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects,” the event brought together key stakeholders, including legislators, political leaders, and academics, to discuss ways of strengthening legislative functions in Nigeria’s democratic framework.
In his address, Ogundoyin stressed that legislative oversight is a cornerstone of democracy which helps to ensure that the executive arm of government remains accountable and transparent to the public.
He highlighted that through effective oversight, lawmakers can prevent abuses of power, curb corruption, and protect citizens’ rights.
“As lawmakers, legislative oversight is a vital component of democratic governance.
“It ensures that the executive branch is accountable, transparent, and responsive to the needs of citizens.
“Through oversight, we can prevent the abuse of power, identify inefficiencies in government policies, and make necessary adjustments for better governance,” Ogundoyin said.
However, the Speaker acknowledged the numerous challenges hindering effective oversight in Nigeria.
These challenges according to the lawmaker include a lack of resources, weak institutional frameworks, political interference, and the dominance of the executive branch.
Despite these obstacles, Ogundoyin expressed optimism, noting that there are promising prospects for strengthening oversight mechanisms.
“One of the key prospects for legislative oversight in Nigeria is the strengthening of institutional frameworks.
“This will assist lawmakers in conducting more effective oversight and holding the executive branch accountable.
“A major step forward is the introduction of Post Legislative Scrutiny (PLS), a new initiative aimed at assessing the impact and effectiveness of legislation after it has been passed,” He added.
Ogundoyin also highlighted that the Oyo State House of Assembly has become the first in Nigeria to institutionalize a PLS Unit, which is designed to systematically evaluate the impact of laws on the public, including both intended and unintended consequences.
This initiative, he noted, is part of ongoing efforts to improve legislative oversight processes and ensure that laws enacted truly serve the people.
The Speaker further emphasized the importance of capacity building for lawmakers and their staff. He revealed that the Oyo State House of Assembly has been organizing training sessions focused on improving the effectiveness of legislative committees and oversight activities.
These efforts, Ogundoyin said aims to equip lawmakers with the tools and skills necessary for better governance.
Ogundoyin also discussed the role of technology in enhancing oversight processes, announcing plans to digitalize all State Houses of Assembly across Nigeria.
He disclosed that this digital transformation will begin in the first quarter of next year (2025) through a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Conference of Speakers.
The lawmaker said that the move will enable lawmakers to access vital information, track legislative progress, and enhance the efficiency of their oversight functions.
The event was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, President of the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation and wife of the late politician, who played host to the gathering.