Assessing Democratic Backsliding in Nigeria through IIAG 2022–2024: The Imperative for Legislative Actions

Abstract

Recent governance assessments, including the Chandler Institute of Governance’s Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) 2022–2024, indicate a pattern of democratic stagnation and institutional decline in Nigeria. Nigeria ranks 116th globally in the 2025 CGGI and performed below the West African regional average in the IIAG, with particular deterioration in security & rule of law, participation, and economic opportunity, despite modest gains in human development. When compared with selected West African countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mauritius, Nigeria’s governance indicators reflect weakening institutional effectiveness, shrinking civic space, persistent insecurity, and limited economic inclusion. Sequel to this state of affairs, this brief recommends: o There is an urgent need for legislative intervention to reverse democratic backsliding, strengthen institutional accountability, and restore public trust ahead of 2027. o National Assembly may wish to encourage the Judiciary to establish a special terrorism court in order to fast-tract terrorism-related cases and deter would be offenders o National Assembly is encouraged to effectively oversight MDAs in the communication sector and internet service providers to ensure adequate provision of effective internet services across the country. This will help in strengthening electoral oversight and boost voter education, enhancing transparency through digital electoral processes, and institutionalizing performance-based governance reporting and benchmarks aligned with international standards. o The relevant Committees of the National Assembly should ensure effective oversight of the defense, security and intelligence sector and prevail on the executive to make the most out of the current temporary military partnership between the Nigeria and the United States to reduce the impact of terrorism to the bearless minimum. This will enable victims of forceful evictions to return to their communities before the 2027 General Elections in order to be able to vote.