Nnamdi Azikiwe Journal of Political Science

Revising traditional governance: The role of trust in traditional institutions in building social cohesion

2026-04-26T01:11:55-07:00

This study examined the relationship between trust in traditional institutions and social cohesion, with particular emphasis on the mediating role of perceived fairness within the context of Ilorin Emirate, Nigeria. Drawing on Social Capital Theory and Procedural Justice Theory, the study conceptualized trust in traditional institutions as a key driver of community-level outcomes, operating both directly and indirectly through fairness perceptions. A quantitative research design was adopted using a cross-sectional survey approach. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to residents across Ilorin West, Ilorin East, and Ilorin South Local Government Areas. A total of 328 valid responses were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. The findings revealed that trust in traditional institutions has a significant positive effect on social cohesion and perceived fairness, suggesting that trusted institutions are more likely to be viewed as impartial and equitable. Perceived fairness was also found to have a significant positive effect on social cohesion, underscoring its role in fostering social stability and reducing conflict. The study contributes practical insights for enhancing inclusive and legitimate traditional governance systems to strengthen social cohesion in developing contexts.

Re-evaluating the Impact of Violent Extremism on Lake Chad Basin Region of West Africa

2026-04-27T00:22:27-07:00

This study investigated the impact of violent extremism on the Lake Chad Basin Region. From being one of the most important agricultural heritage sites in the world that provided a lifeline to millions of people in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, violent extremism in the region has become a burden, among others accounting for loss of lives, with 29,376 deaths recorded in 2015 alone. The study therefore examined ways in which porous borders, security policies and governance outcome within the region contributed to persisting challenges there. Anchored on the deprivation, frustration and aggression theory, the study utilized documentary method for data collection while content analysis mechanism was adopted for analysis. The study found out that the Lake Chad Basin region’s porous borders have, over the years, served as transportation routes for arms smuggling, thereby fueling violent extremism. It also found out that the contiguous countries’ security policies have remained ineffective. The study therefore recommended effective border management as well as the need for authorities to address the cases of unhealthy inter-agency rivalry among the security agencies in the area.

Trading Away Development? A Critical Interrogation of Nigeria-China Trade Relations (2015–2024)

2026-04-27T00:28:51-07:00

This study critically examines Nigeria–China trade relations and their developmental implications between 2015 and 2024. Persistent concerns over Nigeria’s widening trade deficit, reliance on crude oil and primary commodities, and the growing dominance of Chinese manufactured imports frame the analysis. Grounded in dependency theory, which explains unequal economic interactions between core and peripheral states, the study adopts an ex post facto design and qualitative documentary analysis of official trade statistics, international datasets, and peer‑reviewed literature to evaluate the structure and evolution of bilateral trade flows. Findings reveal that although trade expanded significantly, its composition remained asymmetrical: Nigeria’s exports were dominated by crude petroleum, liquefied natural gas, and raw materials, while imports from China consisted largely of machinery, electronics, textiles, and other manufactured goods. This pattern sustained a persistent imbalance, constrained opportunities for value addition, and reinforced structural challenges of technological dependence, industrial vulnerability, and limited integration into global value chains. The analysis suggests that trade composition, rather than volume, is central to understanding developmental consequences. The study concludes that while Nigeria benefits from market access and affordable goods, the dominant trade pattern reflected dependency dynamics that did not support long‑term industrial transformation.

INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE AND DISABILITY RIGHTS: ASSESSING NIGERIA AND RUSSIA WITHIN GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS FRAMEWORKS

2026-05-04T02:28:07-07:00

At the dawn of the twenty-first century, governance discourse shifted toward inclusion, equity, and human dignity. The rights of persons with disabilities have become a critical test of how far states have moved from rhetoric to meaningful social justice. This study examines the extent to which Nigeria and Russia have engaged with inclusive governance practices that advance disability rights within global human rights norms. Anchored on a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), a comparative case study design was adopted, relying on documentary sources and qualitative content analysis. The study found that both countries have strong legal commitments under the UNCRPD, but implementation gaps persist: Nigeria is constrained by socioeconomic deprivation and infrastructure deficits, while Russia faces administrative and regional inefficiencies. Access to healthcare, education, and rehabilitation remains highly unequal in both contexts. The study concludes that neither country has translated legal rights into lived equality, weakening progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals. It recommends stronger enforcement through independent monitoring bodies and increased investment in disability-inclusive infrastructure and budgeting.

High Cost of Governance and its Implications for Nigeria’s National Development: Analysis of Some Salient Issues

2026-05-04T05:00:39-07:00

The cost of governance has emerged as a critical constraint on Nigeria’s developmental trajectory, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability, institutional efficiency, and the effective service delivery. This study examines the implications of cost of governance and Nigeria’s development outcomes, with particular emphasis on public expenditure patterns, administrative overheads, and political office maintenance. Relying on secondary sources of data and discourse analysis, the study discovered that high cost of governance especially in the payment of salaries, wages and allowances for political office holders, and the maintenance of a large bureaucratic and political structure undermines economic growth, exacerbates inequality, and weakens public trust in state institutions. Furthermore, issues of corruption, duplication of agencies, and weak fiscal discipline are identified as key drivers of high governance costs. The study concludes that without comprehensive reforms—such as rationalization of government agencies, reduction in the size of political office holders, enforcement of transparency mechanisms, and prioritization of capital expenditure—Nigeria’s aspirations for sustainable development may remain elusive. The paper recommends pragmatic policy measures aimed at reducing the cost of governance while enhancing efficiency and accountability in public sector management.

Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Land Disputes Settlement in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State

2026-05-04T05:57:45-07:00

Land disputes have persisted in many communities in rural Nigeria due to the economic, cultural, and ancestral values attached to land and the reliance on customary mechanisms as first point of call for resolution of land disputes, despite the presence of formal legal systems. This study examined the efficacy of customary conflict resolution mechanisms in land dispute resolution within Anambra State. A qualitative research design was adopted for the study while purposive sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study. The collected data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Findings revealed that the use of oath-taking and sanctions, community-based hearings, indigenous land knowledge, and reconciliation practices contribute effectively to the settlement of disputes. The study recommends continuous training of traditional institutions to enhance their skills in conflict resolution and improve sustainable peace.

Reimaging Democratic Governance In Africa: Between Citizen Participation And Elite Capture

2026-05-04T06:30:15-07:00

This study examines democratic governance in Africa, focusing on the persistent tension between citizen participation and elite capture. Despite the adoption of democratic institutions across many African states, governance outcomes are often undermined by entrenched elite interests, patronage networks, and weak institutions. At the same time, rising civic awareness, youth mobilization, and digital activism reflect increasing demands for inclusive governance. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study draws on participatory democracy and elite theory to explore conditions under which citizen engagement can coexist with accountable governance. Using a comparative case study approach, it relies on qualitative data from policy documents, scholarly literature, and institutional reports, analysed through qualitative content analysis. Findings indicate that while elite capture remains a major constraint, strong civil society engagement, decentralization reforms, and digital participation can mitigate its effects. The study argues that democratic renewal in Africa is achievable through strengthened accountability mechanisms, civic education, and institutional reforms that enhance citizen agency. It concludes that balancing elite influence with grassroots participation is essential for advancing inclusive development and political legitimacy in African democracies.

Rethinking the Practice of Separation of Powers in Nigeria: Between Historical Assumptions and Institutional Realities

2026-05-04T07:11:53-07:00

This article develops a theoretical framework for understanding the persistent distortions in the practice of separation of powers in Nigeria. Although the 1999 Constitution formally adopts the classical doctrine of separation of powers, its practical operation remains inconsistent and unstable. Existing scholarship often attributes this dysfunction to institutional weakness, corruption, or executive overreach. The article argues that three historically embedded assumptions offer a more coherent analytical lens: the authoritarian legacy assumption, the colonial administrative continuity assumption, and the judicial sanctification assumption. First, prolonged military rule normalized executive centralization and fostered a political culture that equates strong authority with effective governance, thereby weakening institutional autonomy. Second, the colonial administrative system emphasized bureaucratic command over balanced representation, leaving a legacy of centralized governance that continues to influence institutional behaviour. Third, the widespread perception of the judiciary as the ultimate sanctuary of justice has encouraged the over-judicialization of political disputes, overburdening the courts beyond their institutional capacity. Drawing on constitutional analysis, historical interpretation, and postcolonial state theory, the study examines how these deep-rooted assumptions shape inter-branch relations. Rather than claiming definitive causation, the article proposes an interpretive framework for understanding Nigeria’s constitutional practice. It concludes that meaningful reform requires engaging these underlying structural predispositions alongside formal institutional redesign.