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Rethinking the State in Africa: Perceptions of Nigerians on State Formation, State-Building, and a Negotiated Social Contract in the Nigerian Case
Brief about:
Journal Article (2022)
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Other researchers:
This study investigates Nigerians’ perceptions of state formation and state-building, emphasizing the urgent need for a renegotiated social contract to address the country’s governance failures, which stem from its colonial origins, and to prevent further national decline.
Nigeria’s current state reflects the broader African experience, where externally imposed state systems, notably colonialism, laid the foundations for weak governance, insecurity, and underdevelopment. This study examines the perverse character of Nigeria’s state formation, arguing that the colonial state’s essence remains entrenched in its governance failures. It emphasizes that a renegotiated social contract, based on equality, citizen participation, and mutual consent, is crucial for national unity, improved governance, and overcoming the state-building challenges Nigeria faces.
Without confronting the perverse origins of Nigeria’s imposed state, the country risks further governance collapse. The failure of successive governments, particularly the current administration, to secure citizens from both internal and external threats has highlighted the importance of citizen involvement in restructuring the state.
The study also stresses the need to address the exclusion of Nigerians from the processes of state formation and governance, which continues to weaken national cohesion. Without confronting the perverse origins of Nigeria’s state, the country will continue on a path of self-destruction. There is an urgent need for inclusive participation by all Nigerians to renegotiate the state, thereby enabling citizens to become equal stakeholders in their governance.
Key findings
- Nigerians are highly dissatisfied with the current state of the nation.Evidence
In a sample of 225 Nigerians from 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states, 90.2% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with Nigeria's current condition, with 84.9% agreeing that the state has failed in its primary role of protecting citizens from both internal and external threats.
What it meansThis widespread dissatisfaction highlights a governance failure that undermines the state's legitimacy and effectiveness.
- Ethnic inequality and lack of trust in the government erode citizens’ loyalty to the state.Evidence
92.9% of respondents agreed that Nigeria does not treat its citizens equally across ethnic lines, resulting in diminished trust in the government and reduced patriotism. Almost 46.7% expressed a reluctance to be loyal to the current Nigerian state.
What it meansEthnic inequality contributes to disillusionment, weakening national unity and exacerbating governance challenges.
- The colonial legacy of Nigeria’s state formation is viewed as a fundamental source of the country’s problems.Evidence
52.0% of respondents identified Nigeria’s forced amalgamation in 1914 as the root cause of many contemporary issues, while 76.0% agreed that these colonial foundations hinder the state's governance and nation-building efforts.
What it meansThe imposed colonial state and lack of citizen involvement in Nigeria’s formation are still seen as central to its persistent governance failures.
- Nigerians feel alienated from the state, viewing it as an imposed entity without their ownership.Evidence
61.0% of respondents agreed that Nigeria’s citizens do not feel a sense of ownership over the state, seeing it as an alien imposition with no substantive connection to their daily lives.
What it meansThis detachment undermines the state-building process, as citizens do not feel a sense of loyalty or responsibility towards a state they view as foreign.
- There is strong support for renegotiating the Nigerian state based on equality and citizen participation.Evidence
84.9% of respondents advocated for renegotiating Nigeria’s social contract to ensure equality for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or class.
What it meansThere is a clear demand for a new social contract that emphasizes equality and inclusive governance as the foundation for a more stable and united Nigeria.
Proposed action
- Renegotiate the Nigerian state based on a new social contract that ensures equality for all citizens.
Renegotiate the Nigerian state based on a new social contract that ensures equality for all citizens.
Harmonize the 2007 and 2014 political conference reports.
- Promote constitutional patriotism by fostering loyalty to democratic principles over ethnic or religious identities.
Promote constitutional patriotism by fostering loyalty to democratic principles over ethnic or religious identities.
Build civic engagement programs that emphasize the shared values and principles of Nigeria’s constitution.
- Address ethnic inequality to strengthen national unity and rebuild trust between the government and citizens.
Address ethnic inequality to strengthen national unity and rebuild trust between the government and citizens.
- Improve governance by addressing security failures and restoring citizens’ trust in the state.
Improve governance by addressing security failures and restoring citizens’ trust in the state.
- Foster inclusive participation in state-building efforts through the active involvement of all ethnic groups.
Foster inclusive participation in state-building efforts through the active involvement of all ethnic groups.
Organize community-level consultations and ensure broad-based citizen engagement in national dialogues.
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Rethinking the State in Africa: Perceptions of Nigerians on State Formation, State-Building, and a Negotiated Social Contract in the Nigerian Case
Cite this brief: Isike, Christopher. 'Rethinking the State in Africa: Perceptions of Nigerians on State Formation, State-Building, and a Negotiated Social Contract in the Nigerian Case'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/rethinking-the-state-in-africa-perceptions-of-nigerians-on-state-formation-state-building-and-a-negotiated-social-contract-in-the-nigerian-case/
Brief created by: Professor Christopher Isike | Year brief made: 2026
Original research:
- Olasupo, O., & Isike, C., (2022) ‘Rethinking the State in Africa: Perceptions of Nigerians on State Formation, State-Building, and a Negotiated Social Contract in the Nigerian Case’ Published online https://doi.org/10.1080/18186874.2022.2073245. – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18186874.2022.2073245
Research brief:
This study investigates Nigerians’ perceptions of state formation and state-building, emphasizing the urgent need for a renegotiated social contract to address the country’s governance failures, which stem from its colonial origins, and to prevent further national decline.
Nigeria’s current state reflects the broader African experience, where externally imposed state systems, notably colonialism, laid the foundations for weak governance, insecurity, and underdevelopment. This study examines the perverse character of Nigeria’s state formation, arguing that the colonial state’s essence remains entrenched in its governance failures. It emphasizes that a renegotiated social contract, based on equality, citizen participation, and mutual consent, is crucial for national unity, improved governance, and overcoming the state-building challenges Nigeria faces.
Without confronting the perverse origins of Nigeria’s imposed state, the country risks further governance collapse. The failure of successive governments, particularly the current administration, to secure citizens from both internal and external threats has highlighted the importance of citizen involvement in restructuring the state.
The study also stresses the need to address the exclusion of Nigerians from the processes of state formation and governance, which continues to weaken national cohesion. Without confronting the perverse origins of Nigeria’s state, the country will continue on a path of self-destruction. There is an urgent need for inclusive participation by all Nigerians to renegotiate the state, thereby enabling citizens to become equal stakeholders in their governance.
Findings:
Nigerians are highly dissatisfied with the current state of the nation.
In a sample of 225 Nigerians from 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states, 90.2% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s current condition, with 84.9% agreeing that the state has failed in its primary role of protecting citizens from both internal and external threats.
This widespread dissatisfaction highlights a governance failure that undermines the state’s legitimacy and effectiveness.
Ethnic inequality and lack of trust in the government erode citizens’ loyalty to the state.
92.9% of respondents agreed that Nigeria does not treat its citizens equally across ethnic lines, resulting in diminished trust in the government and reduced patriotism. Almost 46.7% expressed a reluctance to be loyal to the current Nigerian state.
Ethnic inequality contributes to disillusionment, weakening national unity and exacerbating governance challenges.
The colonial legacy of Nigeria’s state formation is viewed as a fundamental source of the country’s problems.
52.0% of respondents identified Nigeria’s forced amalgamation in 1914 as the root cause of many contemporary issues, while 76.0% agreed that these colonial foundations hinder the state’s governance and nation-building efforts.
The imposed colonial state and lack of citizen involvement in Nigeria’s formation are still seen as central to its persistent governance failures.
Nigerians feel alienated from the state, viewing it as an imposed entity without their ownership.
61.0% of respondents agreed that Nigeria’s citizens do not feel a sense of ownership over the state, seeing it as an alien imposition with no substantive connection to their daily lives.
This detachment undermines the state-building process, as citizens do not feel a sense of loyalty or responsibility towards a state they view as foreign.
There is strong support for renegotiating the Nigerian state based on equality and citizen participation.
84.9% of respondents advocated for renegotiating Nigeria’s social contract to ensure equality for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or class.
There is a clear demand for a new social contract that emphasizes equality and inclusive governance as the foundation for a more stable and united Nigeria.
Advice:
Renegotiate the Nigerian state based on a new social contract that ensures equality for all citizens.
- Harmonize the 2007 and 2014 political conference reports.
Promote constitutional patriotism by fostering loyalty to democratic principles over ethnic or religious identities.
- Build civic engagement programs that emphasize the shared values and principles of Nigeria’s constitution.
Address ethnic inequality to strengthen national unity and rebuild trust between the government and citizens.
Improve governance by addressing security failures and restoring citizens’ trust in the state.
Foster inclusive participation in state-building efforts through the active involvement of all ethnic groups.
- Organize community-level consultations and ensure broad-based citizen engagement in national dialogues.