The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) has taken a significant step in advancing legislative accountability and evidence-based governance in Nigeria with the official launch of its Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) initiative at the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), the first of its kind in the South-South region.
The move marks an expansion of WFD’s ongoing efforts to promote transparency and legislative effectiveness at the sub-national level, following the successful establishment of Nigeria’s first dedicated PLS Unit at the Oyo State House of Assembly, a pioneering model that has since gained national recognition.
Post-Legislative Scrutiny is a vital democratic tool for assessing whether enacted laws achieve their intended purpose and deliver meaningful impact on citizens.
Through this initiative, WFD seeks to strengthen institutional mechanisms that promote accountability, ensure good governance, and rebuild public trust in the legislative process.
Speaking at the flag-off workshop in Asaba, the Country Director of WFD Nigeria, Mr. Adeboeale Olorunmola, described the Delta initiative as “a critical milestone in deepening democratic accountability across sub-national legislatures.”
“Our work in Delta State represents another important milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey. By equipping lawmakers and staff with the skills to conduct Post-Legislative Scrutiny, we are ensuring that laws are not only passed but implemented effectively to deliver real results for the people,” Mr. Olorunmola said.
He explained that the project will include a comprehensive needs assessment of lawmakers and staff of the DSHA and the State Ministry of Justice, capacity-building workshops, and the creation of a fully functional PLS Unit within the Assembly.
The programme also aims to enhance collaboration between the legislature, executive, and civil society to strengthen governance outcomes.
The event, which runs from October 22 to 24, 2025, brought together lawmakers, top officials of the Ministry of Justice, permanent secretaries, legal drafters, representatives of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), and other development partners.
Speaker Guwor Pledges Commitment to Deepening Legislative Accountability
In his keynote address, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Guwor Emomotimi Dennis, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to institutionalising Post-Legislative Scrutiny as an integral part of its oversight and lawmaking functions.
“Post-Legislative Scrutiny lies at the heart of democratic governance. While pre-legislative processes focus on making laws, PLS ensures that those laws work effectively in practice.
“For any legislature serious about accountability, transparency, and good governance, PLS is not optional, it is essential,” the Speaker stated.
Rt. Hon. Guwor emphasized that the responsibility of lawmakers extends beyond passing bills, noting that effective governance requires ensuring laws serve the people’s interests and adapt to evolving societal needs.
“The Delta State House of Assembly has passed many progressive laws across various sectors. However, without mechanisms for post-legislative evaluation, it becomes difficult to measure their real impact or identify challenges in implementation. This workshop is both timely and necessary,” he said.
Highlighting Delta’s readiness to join the ranks of progressive legislatures, Guwor announced that the state would become the first in the South-South and the second in Nigeria to formally adopt PLS practices, after Oyo State.
“We are determined to develop a clear framework for PLS, build capacity for evidence-based scrutiny, collaborate with civil society and the media for openness, and work closely with the Executive to ensure that recommendations from scrutiny are implemented effectively,” he affirmed.
The Speaker also commended WFD for its sustained partnership and technical support in advancing legislative development across Nigeria.
“Effective laws are not those that merely exist on paper but those that make a measurable difference in people’s lives.
“Post-Legislative Scrutiny ensures that the promises we make through legislation are translated into tangible outcomes for the people we represent,” Guwor added.
A Model for Institutional Reform
Since 2021, WFD has worked with NILDS and the National Assembly to build technical expertise and produce a national position paper on institutionalising PLS in Nigeria a document that now serves as the strategic foundation for state-level interventions like Delta’s.
The collaboration with the Delta State House of Assembly is expected to set a new benchmark for legislative accountability in the South-South region, providing a model for other sub-national legislatures to emulate.
WFD reaffirmed its commitment to supporting democratic institutions in Nigeria through capacity development, research, and partnerships aimed at fostering transparency, inclusion, and citizen-driven governance.
“This initiative underscores Delta State’s readiness to lead the charge for smarter, evidence-based lawmaking,” Mr. Olorunmola concluded.
“It is a model for how legislative institutions can ensure that every law truly works for the people.”
