AN EXAMINATION OF DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA'S FOURTH REPUBLIC

Abstract

Nigeria is the largest democracy in Africa. In 1999, it returned to civil rule after years of military interregnum. The return was greeted with excitement, fanfare and expectations. The paper seeks, therefore, to interrogate the journey so far in Nigeria's democratic experience. The study adopts qualitative method with emphasis on secondary source of data gathering. Data was analysed using content analysis. The study finds out that democracy is not equal to development, and at the same time not a threat to it. It concludes that democracy has not brought expected development to Nigeria due to failure of both the leaders and the followers to build a system that engenders development. The paper, thus, recommends developmental democracy, democratic institutionalization, and socio-political restructuring among others for a positive democracydevelopment relation.