Nigeria’s democratisation in the globalisation age

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.