An assessment of the effectiveness of Nigeria's 9th National Assembly Committee on ecology and climate change

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Nigeria’s 9th National Assembly Committee on Ecology and Climate Change in responding to the growing environmental and climate challenges facing the country. Since the inauguration of the 9th Senate in 2019, Nigeria has experienced heightened exposure to climate-induced hazards such as flooding, coastal erosion, droughts, desertification, and increased food insecurity. These events, driven by global warming and shifting rainfall patterns, continue to threaten livelihoods, public health, agriculture, and national development. Given the urgency of environmental sustainability, the study was guided by four objectives: to assess the interventions of the committee, evaluate their outcomes, examine the challenges encountered during implementation, and propose actionable strategies to enhance performance. The study adopted a mixed-methods research design combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The population consisted of members of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, legislative aides, technical staff, and officials from relevant government agencies. Using stratified random sampling, 384 respondents were selected. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and unstructured interviews, supplemented by secondary sources such as policy documents and reports. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square analysis, were employed to analyze the data and determine relationships between key variables. Findings revealed that the committee made notable efforts in terms of budgetary oversight, stakeholder consultations, and issue prioritization, particularly on matters such as carbon emissions reduction, desertification control, and soil degradation. Approximately 67.4% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the committee prioritized key environmental issues (Mean = 3.655). However, the study also found that the slow passage of climate-related legislation remained a significant obstacle to effective policy delivery, with 92.5% of respondents identifying it as a major challenge (Mean = 4.1423). Limited legislative engagement, procedural delays, and inadequate monitoring mechanisms further hampered the committee’s overall effectiveness. To improve performance, the study recommends increasing the frequency of committee meetings to facilitate regular dialogue, faster policy decisions, and better coordination with relevant agencies. Stakeholder engagement should also be deepened through structured public forums, which would enable more inclusive participation and robust evaluation of climate initiatives. Furthermore, enhanced collaboration with external experts such as climate scientists, environmental NGOs, and policy consultants should be institutionalized to address knowledge gaps and reduce legislative bottlenecks. Another key recommendation is the development of robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track budgetary allocations and program outcomes. This would enhance accountability, ensure proper use of public funds, and improve the overall impact of environmental programs initiated by the committee. In conclusion, while the 9th Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change made strides in promoting climate policy, significant improvements are needed in legislative output, stakeholder involvement, and oversight functions. Implementing the proposed strategies would strengthen the committee’s capacity to tackle environmental challenges and align Nigeria’s climate response with global best practices.