ActionAid Nigeria Declares Democracy Deeply Fragile After 26 Years
Abuja, June 12, 2025 – As Nigeria marked 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, ActionAid Nigeria issued a stark warning about the fragility of the country’s democracy, describing it as “deeply fragile” and under threat due to persistent governance failures, rising poverty, and shrinking civic space.
In a press statement released in April 2025 and reiterated during Democracy Day events, ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, highlighted the findings of the World Bank’s Africa’s Pulse report, which projects a 3.6 percentage point increase in Nigeria’s poverty rate by 2027. He condemned the government’s failure to address the worsening poverty crisis, calling it a “national disgrace” given Nigeria’s abundant resources.
“Governance remains Nigeria’s greatest obstacle,” Mamedu said, pointing to weak government effectiveness, lack of accountability, and political instability as key factors undermining democratic progress.“Public institutions continue to fail in managing resources and delivering basic services, widening the trust deficit between citizens and government.”
ActionAid criticized the federal, state, and local governments for prioritizing luxury expenditures over the welfare of the people, noting billions spent on new vehicles and office renovations while millions live in poverty. The organization also condemned the shrinking civic space, where activists and citizens who speak out face intimidation, harassment, or detention.
The burden of insecurity, including banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes, disproportionately affects vulnerable groups such as women, youth, persons with disabilities, and communities in conflict zones. Mamedu warned that without urgent reforms, Nigeria risks becoming the “global capital of extreme poverty” despite being Africa’s largest economy.
Supporting Views from Civil Society
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) echoed ActionAid’s concerns, lamenting the erosion of democratic values, leadership failure, and collapse of accountability. CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, stated that Nigeria’s democracy is backsliding due to compromised electoral processes, rising corruption, and shrinking civic space.
“Political leaders must retrace their steps to safeguard the democratic rule that was fiercely fought for,” Rafsanjani urged, calling for urgent electoral and political party reforms to restore public trust.
He also highlighted unchecked corruption at the state level and the failure of state assemblies to provide oversight, which undermines governance and widens inequality.
Calls for Action
Both ActionAid and CISLAC called on the Nigerian government to:
- Prioritize meaningful structural reforms addressing poverty, insecurity, and governance deficits.
- Uphold the rule of law and protect civic freedoms, ensuring activists and journalists can operate without fear.
- Improve transparency and accountability at all levels of government.
- Engage citizens actively in decision-making processes to rebuild trust.
Conclusion
As Nigeria celebrates 26 years of democracy, these warnings serve as a reminder that democratic governance is not guaranteed by elections alone but requires sustained commitment to justice, inclusion, and good governance. Without urgent and deliberate reforms, the democratic project risks unraveling, leaving millions further marginalized.
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