Gender and Lawmaking in Nigeria: Assessing Female-Responsive Legislation in the National Assembly, 1999–2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67874/ijlcs.75Keywords:
Representation, Parliament, Bills, Lawmaking, Female-ResponsiveAbstract
This study examines the extent to which legislative trends in Nigeria’s National Assembly from 1999 to 2023 reflect responsiveness to women’s issues. Using desk-based research, it analyses 9,788 proposed bills and 2,530 passed bills across both chambers. Findings reveal low, unstable, and divergent levels of female responsiveness: only 1.98% of proposed bills and 2.83% of passed bills were substantively female-responsive. Key constraints include entrenched socio-historical inequalities, failure to satisfy legislative review requirements, and limited commitment by sponsors to lobby and mobilise support. The study recommends increased female representation and targeted capacity-building in legislative advocacy and strategic lobbying.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Adetuyi, O. A (Author)
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