The Nigerian children’s parliament: Adult structure or children’s space?
Background: The African Union Agenda 2040 aspires that all African states have a structure to aid children’s participation, like the children’s parliament. The recommendation for more structures like the children’s parliament begs the question of how successful this model of children’s participation has been on the African continent. Nigeria currently has the highest number of children on the continent and is one of the few countries to have established a children’s parliament over two decades ago.
Aim: This study explored the experiences of children in parliament and their views on participating in this structure.
Method/approach: A mixed method of surveys and in-depth interviews was used to collect data from 12 members of the National Children’s Parliament (NCP) in Nigeria. Ethical approval was obtained from Moray House School of Education and Sports, University of Edinburgh.
Results/findings: The findings reveal the children’s parliament as a space for children’s participation. How children engage and interact in this space is impacted by the entry method into this space and whose voices are prominent. Diverse issues intersect in how members of the children’s parliament experience participation. Children’s experience is observed in dialogue and intergenerational relations with both adults and other members of the children’s parliament.
Conclusion: This study contributes to knowledge in the field of childhood studies and children’s rights and to the debate on whether voice is enough. The promotion of children’s participation in the children’s parliament should be further interrogated to ensure it supports meaningful participation beyond the tokenism of bringing them into a space.
Implications for children and families: When included in spaces as a representative for children, you should be open to discussing with other children and getting their views heard too.
Implications for practitioners: In creating safe spaces for children to participate and be heard, you should also consider which children are being included and how you would empower them.
Keywords: children, parliament, participation, space, voice
This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: