Academics, Political Experts Advocate Democratic Dividends to More Demographics in Nigeria

Academics, Political Experts Advocate Democratic Dividends to More Demographics in Nigeria

Academics, scholars, and political experts gathered on Thursday to discuss the links between the democratic dividend and the demographic dividend in the context of Nigerian democracy since its return in 1999 and came up with a consensus that the government must plan how democratic dividends will be distributed across the country’s demographics. The virtual discussions

Academics, scholars, and political experts gathered on Thursday to discuss the links between the democratic dividend and the demographic dividend in the context of Nigerian democracy since its return in 1999 and came up with a consensus that the government must plan how democratic dividends will be distributed across the country’s demographics.

The virtual discussions under the auspices of the Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies symposium to shed more light on the complexities surrounding Nigeria’s politics, governance, economics, and population dynamism. The array of discussants included Professor Peter Okebukola, the former chairman of the council of the National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Hassan Saliu, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Ilorin and a seasoned politician, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.

Others were Professor Elijah Agbaje, a political scientist at Osun State University, Professor Franklin Sanubi of Abraka University Delta University, Prof. Stephen Monday Omodia, expert in Democratic Studies, Political Economy, Policy & Administrative Studies and pioneer Deputy Vice Chancellor, Edo State University, Uzairue, Edo State, Nigeria. Prof. Akeem Mojisola Adeyanju, MNIPR, mni, Head, Public Affairs Department/Advancement Office, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, Nigeria, the symposium was moderated by Dr. Moses Etila Shaibu, Associate Professor of Political Economy and former Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja Nigeria.

It was the 3rd International Symposium titled: “Democratic Dividends and Demographic (Population Index) Dividends of Democracy in Nigeria” It tried to resolve questions such as how well the Nigerian democratic governance has responded to the needs of the population since 1999 to date? And, to what extent have “democratic dividends” been translated to “demographic dividends” since 1999 to date? Also, in what ways have the Federal, State and Local governments in Nigeria delivered demographic dividends to their people since 1999 to date?

The host of the symposium was Professor Eserinune McCarthy Mojaye, Director, Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies. And the stimulating submissions from the experts focused on the advantages that citizens receive from the government, how a country’s population structure can increase its economic development and sustainability, and how the government can improve in providing citizens with the benefits of democracy.

The symposium, which was attended by political activists, demographers, and sociologists, put their theories front and centre, exposing the elements working against Nigeria’s democratic advancement and outlining solutions.

Prof Peter Okebukola

In his keynote address, Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, the former chairman of the council of the National Open University of Nigeria, noted that Nigerians typically require basic services from the government as dividends, including food security, healthcare, education, employment, governance and leadership, security, and urban development.

He noted that despite Nigeria’s expanding population, the government’s performance has not kept pace with the benefits its citizens had hoped for. He also stated that the Nigerian government lacks the “ability to respond quickly or appropriately and positively to developmental issues affecting population growth.”

The emeritus professor advised that “African countries must urgently commit to lowering the rate of youth unemployment through a combination of efforts including functional education, entrepreneurial training, and provision of job opportunities, as well as an enabling environment for investment and growth of small and medium-scale enterprises.”

He also argued that “productive investment in the health of the citizenry is a major pathway to responsive population management.” Universal access to reliable, affordable, low-carbon electricity is a major key to Africa’s socio-economic transformation, making houses affordable is a good measure of population responsiveness to which African countries should strive”.

Prof Hasan Saliu

Professor Hassan Saliu, Professor of Political Science, University of Ilorin and President, Nigerian Political Science Association. distinguished between tangible and intangible dividends of democracy, stating that the tangible ones fall under concrete government performance such as infrastructure development, whereas the intangible ones fall under expected government performance such as recognition of human rights and justice.

He stated that Nigeria, as a democratic country, is expected to respect human rights and have an inclusive electoral system. He noted, however, that the country has been operating in the opposite direction, with a prevalence of injustices, insecurity, poor economics, and unemployment. The Don also stated that Nigeria has over 33% unemployment, a 70% poverty rate, and an external debt of over N49 trillion.

The government and the people were urged by Professor Saliu to promote the inclusive participation of minorities like women, young people, and people with disabilities. In order to increase the growth index in the nation and meet citizen expectations, he also suggested reinventing economic growth. He concluded that it would ensure that citizens received the well-deserved dividends of the country’s democratic government.

Senator babafemi Ojudu

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, a former lawmaker who represented the Ekiti Central constituency from 2011 to 2014, decried the country’s regressive state, focusing on corruption and underperformance of public office holders, as well as a lack of transparency with public funds.

The former lawmaker stated that Nigeria has failed its youth due to widespread corruption among politicians, who have redefined democracy as “government of the big man, by the big man, and for the big man.” He claimed that the monetization of Nigeria’s democracy has allowed the rich to continue oppressing the poor, while also sabotaging citizen engagement because political elites have enough money to silence the masses.

He also bemoaned the country’s current divisions and called for integration of the country’s various ethnic groups. “Nigeria has never been divided like this in the history of this country, greediness and corruption is making Nigerians to suffer instead of getting enough dividends of democracy. I can say that even the youth have lost hope in the development of this country”.

Speaking on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent appointment of federal ministers, he criticised the selection process, noting that most of the appointees were not qualified for the positions but were chosen because of their political affiliation.

In proposing a solution to Nigeria’s democratic challenges, he stated, “Democracy as a multifaceted process is meant to promote the trajectory of human development and inclusivity.” We must begin with the promotion of equal representation in this country, we must address the exclusivity and justices must be restored to our society. Democracy should be used to promote national unity by ensuring cohesion. “There should be women’s involvement in our major sectors like education, health and others: that will make the country better”

Senator Elijah Agbaje

Similarly, Professor Elijah Agbaje, a political scientist at Osun State University, blamed the country’s stagnant development on a lack of political ideology among Nigerian politicians. He added that the lack of political ideologies in the nation has led to a lack of interest in the political system among the populace.

The professor advocated for the country’s political activities to be demonetized and noted that patronage politics had reduced poverty. He claimed that vote buying during the elections had led to many Nigerians putting their own interests ahead of good leadership.

In the same vein, Professor Franklin Sanubi of .Abraka University Delta University agreed with his colleagues that the role of demography will serve as a springboard for the country’s democratic and economic development. He also called on the citizens to frown at the rising spate of military coups in the African continent. He insisted that democracy remained the best form of government when compared to the military regime.

The symposium concluded with comments from participants who shared similar views with the facilitators, indicating that the government must plan how democratic dividends will be distributed across the country’s demographics.

The discourse also ended with calls from the participants to the government for well-targeted policies that will bolster Nigeria’s development around inclusivity and good governance. Additionally, they exhort the government to promote demographic and democratic dividends for the benefit of Nigeria and its people.

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