THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND DEMOCRATIC DIVIDENDS FOR RURAL AREAS: A STUDY OF JIGAWA STATE, 2015-2023

This study appraised the role of the State Legislature in the delivery of dividends of democracy to rural areas in Jigawa State, Nigeria; the study sought to assess the extent to which the State Legislature has effectively translated the principles of democracy into tangible benefits for rural communities to have access to basic services, infrastructure development, and socio - economic well-being; Data was generated through both primary and secondary sources, the research utilized the qualitative and quantitative technique while explanatory and expository approach was used in the analysis of data. The findings revealed that Jigawa State legislature has made strides in the delivery of dividends of democracy to rural areas through efforts to promote economic empowerment in rural areas through initiatives such as agricultural support programs, small business development, and empowerment. The research contributes to the understanding of the dynamics of democracy and development and highlights the importance of effective legislative representation in ensuring that rural communities benefit from the dividends of democracy. The study recommends that for Jigawa State Legislature to succeed in delivering dividends of democracy to the people living in the rural areas, it must improve the allocation of resources towards rural development, strengthen legislative oversight functions by fostering community engagement, promote transparency and accountability in legislative processes in order to ensure meaningful development to the people living in the rural areas.