An Appraisal of the Roles of the Legislature and the Challenges of Economic Development in the Context of Law and Social Change in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The challenges of Economic growth and development must be in the forefront of any government in order to fulfill her constitutional duties as government. The four main purposes of all governments being the establishment of law; maintenance of order and provision of security; protection of citizens from external threats; and promotion of general welfare of the people by providing public services. For a people to perceive that their socio-economic needs are met by government, the Nation’s economy must be able to cater for employment needs of the people, which in turn will alleviate poverty and drastically reduce crime. To be able to achieve these objectives, the three arms of government must work in concert towards achieving target economic and developmental goals of government. This paper examined the economic challenges of Nigeria as a Nation, particularly as it affects the social change which had led to series of security challenges and separatism agitation and discourse as contemporary issues, and did a critical appraisal of the role of the Legislature in the application of legislative instruments towards strengthening the pillars of economic growth in the Country. The paper concluded that the legislature has a lot to do, as representatives of the people, in effecting positive contributions towards the economic development of Nigeria and the achievement of the constitutional duties of government to provide security and welfare for the people of Nigeria.

Keywords: Nigeria, Economy, Security, Welfare, Recovery, Law, Social change, Nigeria.

 

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