Nigeria’s Independence Day is a time to reflect on political gains and challenges

Nigeria got independence from Britain on 1 October 1960. As the country celebrates its political journey in the last 62 years, political scientist Ayo Olukotun takes a look at the nation’s political development, gains and challenges. He also offers the way forward.

How would you describe Nigeria’s political development?
Well, in terms of evolution, the nation appears to be shedding the toga of unitarism and jackboot politics – at least for now. However, there are residues of the long years of military rule in today’s civilian democracy. Nigeria is still quite authoritarian.

One example would be a report recently released by the National Human Rights Commission. Discipline was recommended against some police officers because they allegedly brutalised civilians. And, despite the EndSARS protests against police brutality in 2020, not much has changed in terms of their behaviour.

There is also presidential omnipotence. The Nigerian president is about the most powerful president in Africa. This power is made possible by the 1999 constitution, a unitary document masquerading as a federalist one. State governors, too, are protected by the constitution. Nobody dares challenge them: in one instance a journalist was arrested for statements a governor considered uncomplimentary.