Political analysts and scholars have identified the absence of constitutional term limits for Nigerian lawmakers as a significant factor undermining effective legislation, democratic accountability, and fostering corruption within the legislative arm of government.

According to experts, without restrictions on the number of terms legislators can serve, some members have transformed their positions into near-permanent fixtures, creating a culture of entitlement and political stagnation that disconnects them from their constituents' realities.

Professor Kamilu Sani Fagge of Bayero University, Kano, explained that prolonged tenures in the legislature present serious risks to good governance despite offering experience and procedural knowledge.

"When an individual occupies a legislative seat for too long, they begin to feel entitled to it, as though it is their personal property," Fagge stated. "This mindset can provoke political instability, especially when others attempt to challenge their dominance."

He further argued that the entrenchment of long-serving legislators often blocks opportunities for younger, qualified candidates to contribute their expertise to national development, suggesting that introducing a two-term limit for lawmakers would offer a chance for political renewal.

Yusuf Ibrahim Lajawa, a former two-term member of the Kano State House of Assembly, also endorsed term limits for legislators at both federal and state levels, noting that some lawmakers today treat their legislative seats as inherited positions.

"While the current constitution does not limit lawmakers' terms due to their lack of direct budgetary allocations like governors or the president, the absence of such limits has its drawbacks," Lajawa said.

However, he expressed skepticism about the feasibility of such reform, highlighting a fundamental challenge: "The challenge is that it is these same lawmakers who are responsible for amending the constitution. Do you really believe any of them would sponsor or support a bill that limits their own tenure?"

Since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999, some lawmakers have remained in office for as long as 26 years with no indication of stepping down. This entrenched political culture, analysts argue, undermines democratic renewal and erodes public trust in the legislative branch.

Political commentators emphasize that instituting term limits, similar to those in place for executive positions such as governors and the president, would promote meritocracy, encourage broader participation in the political process, and help restore public confidence in Nigeria's legislative institutions.

Despite these challenges, many citizens remain optimistic that a more reform-oriented legislature will eventually emerge—one that creates opportunities for a new generation of leaders to contribute meaningfully to national development.