The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), a civil society group focused on legislative advocacy and good governance, has expressed concern about the growing number of standing committees in Nigeria’s National Assembly. The organisation stated that this development could undermine legislative effectiveness, raise governance costs, and weaken government oversight. PLAC, in a report released on
The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), a civil society group focused on legislative advocacy and good governance, has expressed concern about the growing number of standing committees in Nigeria’s National Assembly.
The organisation stated that this development could undermine legislative effectiveness, raise governance costs, and weaken government oversight.
PLAC, in a report released on Tuesday, compared Nigeria’s numerous overlapping legislative committees with the fewer, more streamlined committees found in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa.
The analysis indicates that the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly currently comprises 237 standing committees, marking a substantial increase from 109 in the 9th Assembly and 95 in the 8th Assembly. Similarly, the Senate has expanded its committee structure, progressing from 65 committees in the 8th Assembly to 69 in the 9th, and now totalling 86 in the 10th Assembly.
The report acknowledged that standing committees are essential to the legislative process, as they mainly examine bills, review budgets, and oversee Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). However, it also noted that the rapid expansion of these committees in the current assembly could create institutional difficulties. This is particularly due to lawmakers serving on several committees at once, which can dilute their focus and decrease the thoroughness necessary for effective lawmaking.
This development arises amid increasing calls for legislative reform and for reducing the cost of governance. At the same time, there is growing advocacy for allocating resources to vital sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and other essential needs.
PLAC noted that instead of emulating the other developed countries, its findings further show that Nigeria’s committee system is significantly larger and more unstable when compared with those of other democracies.
According to the analysis, which breaks down the legislative committees of other countries, the United States of America’s 117th Congress (2021–2023) House of Representatives: 20, Senate: 16
The US’ 118th Congress (2023–2025): has “House of Representatives: 20
Senate: 16, while the 119th Congress (2025–2027) has House of Representatives: 20, Senate: 16
India shows similar institutional consistency, with the 16th, 17th, and 18th Lok Sabhas, spanning from 2014 to 2029, each retaining 24 standing committees without expansion.
“16th Lok Sabha (2014–2019):
24 Standing Committees, 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024):
24 Standing Committees, 18th Lok Sabha (2024–2029): 24 Standing Committees”
Similarly, the report indicates that the United Kingdom has always maintained the same committee numbers across successive parliaments. From the 56th Parliament (2015–2017) through the 58th Parliament (2019–2024), the House of Commons has operated with 37 committees, while the House of Lords has maintained 27.
“56th Parliament (2015–2017): House of Commons: 37, House of Lords: 27. 57th Parliament (2017–2019): House of Commons: 37House of Lords: 27. 58th Parliament (2019–2024): House of Commons: 37 House of Lords: 27”
The report indicates that South Africa has even reduced its legislative standings committees instead of expanding, stating that during the 5th Parliament (2014–2019), it had 38 portfolio committees alongside six permanent standing committees, but it was reduced to 27 portfolio committees in the 6th Parliament (2019–2024), while retaining the six standing committees, while its portfolio to committees to 30 in the 7th Parliament (2024–present),
“5th Parliament (2014–2019): 38 Portfolio Committees and 6 permanent Standing Committees. 6th Parliament (2019–2024): 27 Portfolio Committees and 6 permanent Standing Committees
“7th Parliament (2024–present):
30 Portfolio Committees and 6 permanent Standing Committees”
As a result, PLAC warned that “Multiple committees often summon the same agencies on similar issues, slowing administrative work and creating inefficiencies that do not necessarily translate into better accountability.”
The organisation further expressed concern over the financial implications as these standing committees require dedicated staffing, logistics, and operational funding, costs that ultimately fall on the public purse. It also noted that the creation of more committees has become a mechanism for political satisfaction rather than a response to genuine legislative needs.
The organisation called for urgent reforms to address the committee system of the National Assembly by reviewing the existing mandates, the merger of overlapping committees, and a shift toward fewer but stronger committees with clearer responsibilities.
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