Executive Session in Nigerian Legislative Process: A Call for an Efficient Legal Framework

Abstract

Executive sessions play a crucial role in the legislative process of Nigeria, providing a platform for confidential discussions on sensitive matters within the legislative setting. However, the regulation and practice of the sessions in Nigeria raised concerns regarding transparency and accountability. this research examines the legal framework governing the executive sessions and identifies challenges of the sessions. The objectives of this research are to critically analyse the existing legal framework for executive sessions in Nigeria and to explore alternative legislative practices from comparative jurisdictions. The research adopts the doctrinal methodology, which involves a comprehensive review of primary legal texts, supplemented by secondary sources such as academic literature and reports. The major problem identified centres on the tension between the necessity for confidentiality in executive sessions and the public's right to information and oversight. The research finds that there are inconsistencies in conducting the executive sessions, the ambiguous criteria for convening such sessions, and varying interpretations of confidentiality. the research recommends adequate provisions of the procedure of conducting executive sessions in the extant Standing Orders of a legislative house.