Abstract:
Democracy is seen world over as the best legitimate and viable alternative to
authoritarian regimes such as military dictatorship and apartheid. Many countries
around the world are still grappling with the necessary fundamentals that could
ensure credible democratic government. After decades of military dictatorial
regimes, Nigeria has just started to follow the pattern of democratic governance like
most countries of the world. However, there exist huge challenges of transformation
and transition from military rule to a democratic system of government and from one
civilian administration to another. The present government of Nigeria has, instead of
pursuing democratic policy-making processes; the electoral systems became more
non-representative and more divorced from the popular will. This article intends
to explore some policy challenges that could face the Nigeria’s new democracy
and suggests possible alternatives that could sustain the gains of democracy in
Nigeria. Given the ongoing globalization process and its economic implications in
which Nigeria is of necessity, a role player, this article also seeks to further explore
some policy challenges that may be considered in dealing with major sectors of the
Nigerian economy especially, the private sector, the non-governmental organization
and the banking sector.