Democracy And Development: The Nigeria’s Perspective

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between development and democracy with focus on Nigeria. The study used historical and descriptive methods. The study relied on secondary sources of data. Thus data for the study were obtained from textbooks, journals, newspapers, Magazines and internet. However, the study reviews the various positions on democracy and development and thereafter examines the Nigeria situation, using qualitative and content analytical approach. From the analysis the study found out that, although there is not a determinate relationship between democracy and growth, but the case of Nigeria shows that, democracy is necessary but not a sufficient condition for development. When a country only focuses on democracy above to span growth, it usually turns up to be a mirage especially, when such government does not increase production by creating an enabling environment. Without deliberately underestimating the influence of other factors, the basic disconnection between democracy and development in Nigeria is rooted in leadership problem. As a democratic state, leaders must function within the general parameters of democratic developmental state to guarantee development in our country.