The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has called on governments at all levels to make service delivery, transparency, justice, security and inclusion the true measures of democratic governance as Nigeria marks 27 years of uninterrupted civil rule.
In a statement issued to commemorate the anniversary of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule on 29 May 1999, the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Faith Nwadishi, said that while the country has recorded significant democratic gains over the past 27 years, much more must be done to ensure that democracy translates into tangible benefits for citizens.
According to the organisation, Nigeria has sustained civilian rule, expanded civic space, strengthened electoral institutions, witnessed peaceful transfers of power and deepened citizen participation since the end of military rule.
“However, democracy must be measured not only by elections and political transitions, but by how well it delivers dignity, justice, security, inclusion and development to the people,” Nwadishi stated.
The group noted that despite reforms in public administration, budgeting, procurement, anti-corruption frameworks and citizen engagement, many Nigerians continue to grapple with poor public services, rising living costs, unemployment, weak infrastructure, inadequate healthcare and limited access to quality education.
“A democracy that does not improve the living conditions of citizens risks losing public trust. Government at all levels must therefore place service delivery at the centre of democratic accountability,” the statement said.
On access to information, CTA welcomed the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act and the recent Supreme Court ruling extending its applicability to all tiers of government. It, however, lamented that many public institutions still fail to comply with requests for public information.
The organisation called on government agencies to embrace proactive disclosure and full compliance with the law, stressing that public information belongs to citizens, not government officials.
The advocacy group also expressed concern over access to justice, describing it as slow, expensive and difficult for ordinary Nigerians, particularly women, young people, persons with disabilities and rural communities.
According to CTA, delayed justice weakens democracy and undermines public confidence in governance.
The organisation further highlighted concerns about gender and social inclusion, noting that women remain underrepresented in elective and appointive positions, while young people and persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to political participation and access to public services.
“A democracy that excludes half of its population cannot be described as fully representative,” it stated, urging deliberate reforms to expand women’s participation in governance and strengthen inclusive policies.
On electoral reforms, CTA acknowledged improvements in voter registration, election technology and citizen participation but expressed concern over persistent challenges such as vote-buying, electoral violence, abuse of incumbency, weak internal party democracy and poor prosecution of electoral offenders.
The organisation called for greater independence for the electoral commission, transparent party primaries and effective enforcement of electoral laws.
The statement also drew attention to governance challenges in Nigeria’s extractive industries, noting that despite generating substantial revenues over the years, many oil-producing and mining communities continue to suffer from poverty, environmental degradation and poor infrastructure.
CTA advocated greater transparency in revenue management, contract disclosure, environmental accountability and meaningful participation of host communities in decision-making processes.
On security, the group described insecurity as one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s democracy, citing insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and attacks on schools and communities across the country.
“Democracy cannot thrive where citizens live in fear,” the organisation stated, urging government to strengthen intelligence-led security operations, address the root causes of violence and ensure that security responses respect human rights.
As Nigeria reflects on its democratic journey, CTA called on citizens, civil society organisations, the media and public institutions to continue demanding accountable, inclusive and people-centred governance.
“Nigeria’s democracy has survived 27 years, but survival is not enough. The next phase must be about delivery, justice, inclusion, transparency and security,” Nwadishi said.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to working with citizens, institutions and civil society groups to promote accountable governance and ensure that democracy works for all Nigerians.
