EXPLORING THE COMPLEXITY OF DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA: A STUDY OF THE TENSIONS BETWEEN GOVERNANCE, IDENTITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

By

Adebayo Adekunle Moses

Department of General Studies

McPherson University, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract 

Nigeria’s democratic journey offers valuable insights for African democracies. Effective governance, requires strong institutions and inclusive political culture. Using qualitative and content analytic approaches, on a Nigerian democratic space, the paper critically examines the complexities, challenges, prospect of democracy and good governance in Nigeria. The tension between the identity and development have been there since her independence in 1960. Nigeria has experienced democratic rule, military interventions and fragile transitions that has resulted to Biafra civil war (1967 and 1970). The paper highlights in Nigeria, weak institutions, patronage networks, etc.  The research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing democratic consolidation in Nigeria. The findings suggest that the politicization of identities has contributed to the erosion of democratic norms and the exacerbation of socio-economic inequalities in Nigerian societies. However, this study also recognizes the agency and resilience of Nigerian citizens, who are navigating the complexities of democracy and development in innovative and context-specific ways. The paper concludes by arguing that a more nuanced understanding of the intersection between identity, development and democracy is essential for promoting more inclusive and sustainable democratic futures in Nigeria and beyond. The paper therefore, recommends civics activism in form of electoral reforms and judicial assertiveness as a panacea to increase democratic practice in Nigeria and Africa at large. Ultimately, the work will provoke scholarly debates on democracy and good governance in Africa, in order to entrench civic education and inclusive political participation.