Abstract

This study assessed how effective legislator-constituent engagement can foster a more sustainable development in Nigeria. The study was anchored on two theories – Thomas Hobbes’ Social Contract Theory, and Paulo Freire’s Participatory Development Theory. Triangulation research design, using survey and in-depth interview, was used. The descriptive survey method used online questionnaire as the research instrument to elicit data from 2,400 respondents across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, out of which 1,936 were returned as at the deadline. For the interview, the views of six legislators, one from each zone, on the subject of research, were sought. Findings showed little or no purposeful engagement between legislators and their constituents on the roles, place, needs, processes, and policy thrust of sustainable development in Nigeria. Recommendations were made towards fostering a more robust and mutually-beneficial relationship between legislators and their constituents, which can aid in providing a formidable and acceptable paradigm for sustainable national development.

Key Words: Communication, Constituent, Governance, Legislator-Constituent Engagement, Legislature, Sustainable Development.

About the Authors

*Patrick Ene Okon, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. A former legislator at the local, state and federal levels, he specialises in public relations, journalism, media studies, and integrated marketing communications.

**Eric Ugor Ogri, Ph.D., ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0789-7300, is a Lecturer and acting head of the Department of Public Relations, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. His major area of research is Public Relations.

***Presly ‘Ruke Obukoadata, Ph.D., ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4913-9313, is a Professor of Mass Communication at Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. His interest in research covers Brand Communications, New Media Technology, Cultural Studies, Advertising, Semiotics, Strategic Communication, and Development Communication.

****Linus Okaiba Obogo, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3010-1873, is the Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Cross River State Governor. He is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. His research areas are Public Relations, New Media, and Strategic Communication.

*****Patience Eyo Abu, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9827-3806, is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Her major area of research is Strategic Communication.

******Zeniatu Ochuwa Kadiri, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8474-5179, is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Her major area of research is Public Relations.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, April 2026, pp. 144-158.

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

Article Citation

Okon, P. E., Ogri, E. U., Obukoadata, P. R., Obogo, L. O., Abu, P. E. & Kadiri, Z. O. (2026). The representative versus the represented: Pathfinding sustainable development through effective legislator-constituent engagement in Nigeria. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 18 (1): 144-158.

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