Executive Summary

There are roadblocks to a strong democracy in Nigeria at all levels of government. Conflict—triggered by political competition and communal, ethnic, religious or resource allocation rivalries—poses a major threat to democracy. Corruption pervades the daily lives of Nigerians. Many government institutions do not adequately engage with citizens or the private sector and lack the capacity to carry out their mandates.

One of the major factors that accounts for the failure of most African countries, including Nigeria, to attain development has been the absence of good governance and accountability in their democratic process. The reasoning is that without good governance being institutionalized through accountability, democratic consolidation would be jeopardized. The concept of good governance encompasses general values and basic freedoms that include accountability, competence, the reign of the rule of law and absence of human right abuse.

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