The 2011 elections could provide Nigerians with a real opportunity to reform their country.

The Africa Programme's Nigeria project, aims to try and understand the breadth of such a dynamic and expansive country. Events, reports and articles have contributed to a collection of resources; some of which are gathered here.

Key issues in Nigeria's 2011 Elections

Nigeria's elections are critical for the future of Africa's most populous country and potential economic giant. This paper by Sola Tayo examines the key electoral issues and looks at the long-term view of reforms required if Nigeria is to fulfil its potential and avoid the growing dangers stemming from continued corruption and mismanagement. Read.

Listen to Elizabeth Donnelly discuss the prospect of fairer elections on The Economist podcast.

Nigerian Democracy and the Prospects for the 2011 Elections

Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (pictured) and H.E. Ambassador Dozie Nwanna, Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to the UK, spoke at Chatham House in March 2011. They outlined what they perceived to be the challenges facing Nigeria in the run up to the elections. Transcript.

Obasanjo, Nigeria and the World

Speaking at Chatham House, Professor John Iliffe, author, Obasanjo, Nigeria and the World, described the life and times of one of Nigeria's most prominent statesman, former President Olusegan Obasanjo. He also spoke on the trials facing leaders in charge of large African state.
Meeting Summary.

Political Realities and the Mechanics of Voting

John Campbell, Former US Ambassador to Nigeria, discussed the susceptibility of Nigeria's democracy towards corruption and the role of the opposition, at Chatham House in February 2011. He also spoke on the impact the election might have on the national political process.
Meeting Summary.

 
Levelling the Playing Fields

Bob Dewar, former UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, describes how the current levels of energy felt amongst the electorate could provide Nigeria with the progressive democratic developments that it requires.
Sola Tayo outlines the future implications that the election might have on the nature and shape of Nigeria's democracy and its traditional power structures.

Further resources

The Changing Nature of Nigeria-India Relations
Parvathi Vasudevan, Programme Paper, December 2010

Parvathi Vasudevan describes the shift in relationship between Nigeria and India from a political and historical basis towards an economic association, with oil dominating all trade between the two countries.

Nigeria: The Biggest and the Best? 50 Years of Independence
H.E. Ambassador Dozie Nwanna, Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to the UK, Transcript, November 2010

Ambassador Dozie Nwanna addressed the fifty years since Nigerian independence and where the country currently stands. He conceded that many reforms needed to be implemented for Nigeria to compete globally.

Reflections on Fifty Years of Change in Nigeria
Professor Jean Herskovits, Professor of History, State University of New York's Purchase College, New York, Transcript, November 2010

Professor Jean Herskovits highlighted the worrying trend towards sectarianism, lack of national unity and apathy pervading across Nigeria: results, she argues, of years of political mismanagement, lack of corporate accountability and institutional corruption.

Nigeria: Planning and Prospects for the 2011 Election
Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu, Chief Technical Adviser, Independent National Electoral Commission, Nigeria; Mark Stevens, Adviser and Head of the Democracy Section, Commonwealth Secretariat; and Sola Tayo, Associate Fellow, Africa Programme, Chatham House, Meeting Summary, October 2010

Professor Oke Ibeanu outlined the corruption within the Nigerian political status quo. Mark Stevens, referring to Nigeria's previous general election, provided examples from which the country can learn from its past. Sola Tayo stressed the failings of the political elite in intimidating voters and failing to deliver a democratic mandate.

Nigerian Leadership: Rising Political Heat
Bob Dewar, Former UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, The World Today, February 2010

This article describes Nigeria as a state at a crossroads.

Nigeria's Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative: Just a Glorious Audit?
Nicholas Shaxson, Associate Fellow, Africa Programme, Chatham House, Programme Paper, November 2009

This paper outlines the impact that the Nigeria's Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has had on its goals of improving transparency and fostering better governance: it describes how the NEITI failed on almost all counts.

Contact:

For more information about the Africa Programme please contact Tighisti Amare.

Nigeria Project