https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/31 2026-10-13T11:02:06Z 2026-10-13T11:02:06Z Alkali, Rufa'i Ahmed https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3655 2026-09-28T14:50:13Z 2026-09-01T00:00:00Z

Nigeria's Political Transition to 2027: Challenges and Opportunities for a Multi-Party Democracy Alkali, Rufa'i Ahmed Nigeria's democratic experience since the return to constitutional rule in 1999 has been characterised by uninterrupted electoral transitions, expanding political competition, and the continuing evolution of a multi-party system. As the country approaches the 2027 General Elections, political realignments, coalition building, party defections, and strategic alliances have intensified, raising important questions about the future of democratic governance and electoral competition. This paper examines Nigeria's political transition towards the 2027 General Elections within the broader context of the country's multi-party democracy. Drawing on historical analysis and established theories of political parties and party systems, the study explores the evolution of coalition politics, mergers, alliances, defections, elite consensus, and party realignments from the First Republic to the present democratic dispensation. It further analyses the changing strengths and weaknesses of both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition political parties in the context of the emerging electoral contest. The paper argues that concerns about Nigeria drifting towards a one-party state should be understood within the broader context of the history of multi-party democracy in Nigeria. Historically, Nigeria’s multi-party democracy tends to move towards a one dominant party system rather than a one party state. This paper contends that the relative dominance of a ruling party has often been influenced not only by its political strategies alone, but also by the internal fragmentation, leadership challenges, ideological inconsistencies, and organisational weaknesses of the opposition. Historical experience demonstrates that successful political transitions in Nigeria have generally depended on broad based political coalitions, strategic elite consensus, and effective national mobilisation. The study concludes that the credibility of Nigeria's 2027 political transition will depend not merely on electoral outcomes but on the collective commitment of political parties, the electoral institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media, and citizens to democratic principles, constitutionalism, peaceful political competition, and credible elections. It is hoped that the analysis and recommendations presented in this paper will contribute further to scholarly discourse, informed public debate, and policy initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic governance and democratic consolidation in Nigeria.

2026-09-01T00:00:00Z Osayi, Osadebamwen Francis https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3516 2026-04-22T08:10:44Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Syrian Crisis and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P): Between Sovereignty and Humanitarian Intervention Osayi, Osadebamwen Francis The development of sovereignty as a core concept in International Relations is one of the most important developments of the Westphalian Revolution. Promoted by the International Law and the United Nations Charter, the sanctity of sovereignty has received its loudest support. However, the realization of the interdependence of human society has again produced a world community with codes, ethics, norms, and morality for securing peace. The adoption in 2005 of R2P at the World Summit sounded largely that the world is a community that places a high premium on the idealism of world peace and security despite the detest of dictatorship. Thus, in Libya, the sanctity of R2P rose to secure the responsibility of sovereignty to protect the Libyan population, while conversely, it has failed to act in Syria. While some put this failure at the doorstep of Syria’s powerful friends, others argue that R2P implementation in Libya has given it a bad name. It is in this context that the argument is situated, using idealism as the prime plank for analysing the failure of the International Community to act in the crisis that has snowballed into a civil war and the resurgence of a Second Cold War amongst the great powers.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Olaniyan, Taiwo Abimbola https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3515 2026-04-22T08:07:24Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

An Appraisal of Economic Development and Nation Building in Nigeria Olaniyan, Taiwo Abimbola Nigeria attained independence in 1960, and since then, economic development in the country has undergone several phases. Beginning with an agrarian economy that helped in sustaining and supporting the immediate family, and by the commencement and close of colonial rule, up to the early decades of independence, provided avenues for regional and national development. Agricultural exports further deepened Nigeria’s economic development in the First Republic but witnessed a steady decline following the discovery and gradual dependence on oil shortly after the country attained a major oil-producing status in the world. As revenues from oil increased and were relied on for the nation’s development, the prospects for agriculture declined. The consequence of declining agricultural production heightened, resulting in greater imports of much-needed food for the teeming population. Also, the incident of oil glut decreased the prospects for economic development, creating a dangerous trend for the country. This paper examines the trajectory of Nigeria’s economic development and its impact on nation-building. It takes a look at the beginning of Nigeria’s developmental profile through the different phases of development plans and the factors that truncated its effective implementation across the board.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Dele, Isiaka https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3514 2026-04-22T08:06:16Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Implications of Kidnapping on National Security in Nigeria’s North Central Region Dele, Isiaka The study examines the causes of the increased rate of kidnapping in Nigeria, investigates the impact of kidnapping on national security, and examines the difficulties in solving the kidnapping issue in Nigeria. The study used a survey research design and administered a five-point Likert scale questionnaire to respondents who were residents of Abuja’s six Area Councils. The Taro Yamane formulas were used to minimize the study’s 3,652,000 population, and a 400-person sample was taken. 400 respondents were chosen at random from the six Area Councils in Abuja to receive the questionnaire. Simple percentages and chi-square were employed to evaluate the data in this descriptive survey study. The study results indicated that the marginalization of particular ethnic groups, failures in leadership, weak security systems, high rates of youth unemployment and poverty, and a lack of societal values were the main causes of the surge in abduction. The study also showed that kidnapping has detrimental effects on national security, including harm to the nation’s reputation abroad, a decline in foreign investment, a rise in public unease, and slowed economic expansion. The study recommended that the government should address the underlying issues that lead to marginalization, poverty, and unemployment, particularly among young people.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z