New National Survey Reveals National Assembly Has Become Nigeria’s Least Trusted Institution as Public Confidence Plunges

In a stunning reversal of public perception that underscores deep institutional rot, a new nationwide data assessment has confirmed that the National Assembly has officially hit rock bottom, displacing the police as the most distrusted public entity in Nigeria.

The disturbing revelation emerged from the 2026 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey report, a deep-dive data study formally unveiled in Abuja by the Africa Polling Institute (API). The findings paint a picture of a citizenry deeply alienated from its elected representatives, presenting a major public relations challenge for lawmakers currently operating in the 10th assembly.

According to data sheets presented by the API Executive Director, Professor Bell Ihua, the federal legislature could only muster a meager 23 percent trust rating among ordinary Nigerians. This low score officially pushes the lawmakers into the absolute bottom tier of civil administration, slipping just below the Nigeria Police Force, which managed a 24 percent approval rating in the same tracking model.

The widespread public skepticism also extended to other key arms of state power. The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu didn’t fare much better, drawing a weak 28 percent confidence score from respondents, while the judiciary remains deeply bogged down in its own credibility crises.

The root causes behind this massive legislative trust deficit are easy to trace. Throughout the first half of the 2026 legislative year, public dissatisfaction has mounted over the shrinking number of actual sitting days on the floor of both chambers.

Critics have continuously called out lawmakers for prioritizing endless recess calendars, delegate negotiations, and personal political alignment campaigns over pressing national duties. This pattern of frequent adjournments has severely weakened parliamentary oversight, creating a general perception among citizens that the domed complex in Abuja operates primarily as a platform for elite career advancement rather than a place focused on tackling inflation, unemployment, and persistent insecurity.

“Our survey findings indicate persistent trust among citizens in religious and traditional leaders, and very little trust in the government and public institutions,” Professor Bell Ihua explained during the formal report presentation. “Specifically, 51 percent and 45 percent of Nigerians expressed significant trust in religious and traditional leaders, respectively. This stands in stark contrast compared with only 28 percent who trust the executive government and 23 percent who trust the National Assembly. For the first time since the inception of this study, the parliament has slipped to the absolute bottom of public confidence.”

The report, which compiled thousands of face-to-face household interviews across all geopolitical zones using multiple local languages, managed to uncover a rare silver lining regarding national identity. Despite the intense financial stress shaking many households, Nigeria’s overall Social Cohesion Index climbed slightly to 48.8 percent.

Significantly, the study discovered that a vast majority of respondents are increasingly identifying themselves primarily as Nigerians rather than retreating into ethnic or regional silos.

However, as long-term analysts examine the data, the focus remains firmly on the historic collapse of parliamentary authority. By proving that the average Nigerian now holds less faith in the lawmaking apparatus than in traditionally criticized law enforcement units, the API report serves as an urgent wake-up call.

Turning this deep-seated public cynicism around will require far more than standard political reassurances from principal officers; it will demand a visible return to legislative accountability, strict attendance, and an obvious commitment to putting public welfare ahead of political convenience.