DEPARTMENT OF POLITCAL SCIENCE

The study investigated democratic institutions and national development in Nigeria with Edo State as the focal point. The persistent challenge of weak institutional frameworks, corruption, and governance deficits continues to undermine Nigeria’s democratic
consolidation and developmental progress. As a result, key institutions such as the legislature, judiciary, and electoral bodies often struggle to fulfil their mandates effectively, thereby limiting their ability to drive socio-economic and political development in the country. Pertinent questions were raised such as, how have democratic institutions contributed to the socio-economic and political development of Nigeria since the return to democratic rule? to give the research a focus. The study adopted descriptive research survey design to address issue in the subject matter. The sample size was made up of 100 respondents. The data collected was analyzed using frequency count and simple percentage. The study was anchored on the Modernization Theory, which emphasizes the role of stable, transparent, and accountable institutions in sustaining democracy and national development. The study revealed that democratic institutions have contributed to Nigeria’s socio- economic and political development since the return to democratic governance, particularly through law-making, electoral reforms, and the promotion of civic
participation. However, the findings equally showed that the influence of these institutions on good governance, transparency, and accountability remains limited due to political interference, corruption, inadequate funding, and poor institutional capacity. The study concluded that strengthening democratic institutions is essential for enhancing national development in Nigeria. Reforms such as improved institutional autonomy, stronger anti-corruption mechanisms, adequate funding, capacity building, and the
enforcement of constitutional provisions were identified as necessary for revitalising democratic institutions. The study recommended, among others, that government at all levels should priorities institutional reforms, promote transparency, and ensure strict
adherence to democratic principles to achieve sustainable national development in Edo State and Nigeria at large.

This study examines student union politics and its effectiveness in aggregating and satisfying student interests at the University of Benin. The research explores the extent to which the student union represents student concerns, the challenges it faces, and tudent satisfaction with its performance. A quantitative survey research design was adopted, with data collected from 264 students through structured questionnaires. The findings reveal that while the student union is effective in advocating for student welfare, mediating conflicts, and disseminating information, it struggles with governance representation and financial transparency. Major challenges identified include administrative interference, leadership conflicts, low student participation, poor communication, and repression by university authorities. Despite these obstacles, students expressed satisfaction with welfare initiatives, recreational activities, and communication efforts, though concerns about transparency persist. The study establishes a significant relationship between student union representation, student interest aggregation, and satisfaction. Recommendations include enhancing student participation, strengthening financial transparency, and reducing administrative interference. These findings contribute to the discourse on student governance and provide insights for improving student union effectiveness in Nigerian universities

Sovereignty and free trade agreements continue to be key concerns in modern political economy, especially for developing countries striving for economic integration while preserving national autonomy. This study investigates the interplay between state sovereignty and Nigeria’s involvement in African free trade initiatives, focusing on regional and continental mechanisms such as the African Free Trade Area (AFTA). It examines how Nigeria navigates the balance between maintaining control over its economic policies, borders, and domestic industries, and meeting the obligations imposed by trade liberalization
and regional cooperation. Employing a qualitative and analytical methodology, the study evaluates the effects of free trade agreements on Nigeria’s policy space, economic decision- making, and regulatory authority. The results indicate that participation in African free trade areas provides opportunities for market expansion, industrial development, and enhanced regional competitiveness, but also presents risks such as reduced policy autonomy, increased competition for local industries, and challenges in protecting national interests. The study concludes that Nigeria’s engagement in African free trade agreements does not inherently compromise sovereignty; instead, it transforms it, requiring careful policy planning, strong institutional frameworks, and targeted protective measures to ensure that economic
integration supports national development goals.

This study examined the effect of elite fragmentation on party cohesion within Nigeria’s multiparty political system. The research traced how divisions among political elites manifesting in factionalism, ideological inconsistencies, personal rivalry, defection, and power struggles shape the stability and internal unity of political parties. Using a survey design and a structured questionnaire, data were collected from respondents across selected political institutions and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression techniques. The findings showed that elite fragmentation significantly weakens party cohesion by promoting internal crises, reducing organizational discipline, and increasing the likelihood of defections and parallel party structures. The study also revealed that elite competition for influence often undermines party ideology and policy consistency, leading to unstable electoral alliances and reduced public confidence. It concludes that Nigeria’s multiparty system is highly vulnerable to elite-driven instability, which compromises effective party functioning and broader democratic consolidation. The study recommends strengthening internal party democracy, enforcing clearer party rules, and promoting ideological clarity to reduce elite-induced fragmentation and enhance party cohesion

An increasing unemployment rate in Sub-SaharanAfrican economies presents amajor problem for the continent’s economies today. Since the early 1980s, economists and policymakers inNigeria have been deeply concerned about the issue of unemployment.Publicandprivatesectorsarepayingmoreattentiontothisphenomenondue tofinancialcrisis and this has exacerbated the country’s unemployment problem and, in turn, the country’s security issue. It is based on this premise that this study sought to examine the impact of unemployment on insecurity in Nigeria using the following research questions; how endemic is the unemployment situation in Nigeria? What is the relationship between unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria? How has unemployment brought about insecurity in Nigeria? To answer the aforementioned questions, the study employed the quantitativemethodology using the questionnaire as the primary mode of data collection. The major findings of the study were that; insecurity in all its forms has a negative impact on the unemployment situation in Nigeria which have further plunged the nation with increased hunger and instability. The general breakdown of law and order was said to have adversely affected the unemployment situation. Bad leadership was suggested as a possible reason for the rising insecurity situation across the country and that lack of Jobs drives youths to engage in all sorts of activities that cause insecurity. The study recommended that the administration of President Buhari must expand and improve upon its social intervention programmes to ensure the creation and provision of jobs to both skills and un-skills citizens of the country. This would go a long way in reducing poverty, and thereby minimizing the rate of crime in Nigeria and among Nigerians. Governance must therefore work to the benefit of its own citizens. Poverty and inequality should be eliminated if Nigeria is to be spared of violence. The government should create job opportunities for its unemployed youth. Without opportunity to work the people would feel that the society is against them and will wage war against them. Provision of employment has to be Nigerian priority.

Youth participation in politics remains pivotal in the sustenance of a nation’s democracy. Participation does not only ensure that government performs its duties, but also guarantees the rights of ordinary people to participate in their community development. Activities such as voting in an election, sponsoring a candidate, petitioning or participating in a protest are forms of political participation that influence public policy directly or indirectly through affecting the selection process of those who govern the people. The study attempted to examine the impacts of the youths on democratic process in Edo State: A case study of 2023 general elections. The study interrogated the following research questions: What was the level of the youths’ turnout during the 2023 general election in Edo State? What were the different ways the youths participated in the 2023 general election in Edo State? What were the youths’ patterns of voting in 2023 general elections in Edo State? Did the youths indulge in electoral violence in the 2023 general election in Edo State? In what ways can youth political participation and democratic process in Edo State and Nigeria be improved? Theoretically, the study utilized the system theory to explain youth political participation and democratic process in Edo State during the 2023 general election. Methodologically, the study surveyed 392 respondents in Oredo Local Government Area through a structured questionnaire. The study made the following key findings. The first finding was that there was massive youths’ turnout during the general election in Edo State. The second finding was that the youths participated in the elections by joining the INEC team as ad hoc staff, sensitizing the people on how to locate their voting centers and ways to vote in the election and campaigning for their preferred candidates. The third finding shows the patterns for which the youths voted during the 2023 general elections in Edo State. In that order, the pattern were voting to safeguard the future of Edo State and Nigeria’s democracy as well as foster national development, voting based on religion, personality of the candidates, ethnicity and political party. The last finding shows that the youths were also involved in various forms of electoral violence such as voter inducement, ballot box snatching and thuggery. The study therefore recommends that the government should create an enabling environment that can stimulate youths’ participation in the Nigeria’s democratic process, implement the various policies such as ‘Not Too Yong Run’ should be speedily implemented, need for proper sensitization of the Nigerian youths on the need to participate in politics and criminal elements are not good for the growth and development of any country.

The basis of this research was to conduct an investigation on the relationship between the legislature and the executive in the democratic system of Edo State. The investigation carries out in the course of this work revealed that indeed there exist a relationship between the legislature and the executive arms in the Edo State administration. The result from the research conducted between the legislature and executive where cordial at some point conflictual at other instance. But there was more conflictual, which brought about stability in the democratic system in Edo State.

This study comparatively explores the Federal Government Policy on Privatization and Commercialization in Nigeria: Benin Electricity. Four well-structured research question were formulated and twelve questions were administered to the respondent to collect response from them, the population of the study include staff of the Benin Electricity
Distribution Company (BEDC). To conduct the study, a total of 80 respondents were drawn. The respondents were chosen using the simple random sampling techniques. Findings shows that privatization of public enterprises will enhance efficiency and effectiveness, thereby leading to higher productivity in the public sector. Thus, it was recommended that the programme has to be properly implemented with greater and sustained political will and commitment and also privatization and commercialization programme will only be successful if it is executed with all sense of transparency, honesty, fair play, accountability and a high degree of professionalism.

This study comparatively explores the Federal Government Policy on Privatization and Commercialization in Nigeria: Benin Electricity. Four well-structured research questions were formulated and twelve questions were administered to the respondent to collect response from them, the population of the study include staff of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). To conduct the study, a total of 80 respondents were drawn. The respondents were chosen using the simple random sampling techniques. Findings shows that privatization of public enterprises will enhance efficiency and effectiveness, thereby leading to higher productivity in the public sector. Thus, it was recommended that the programme has to be properly implemented with greater and sustained political will and commitment and also privatization and commercialization programme will only be successful if it is executed with all sense of transparency, honesty, fair play, accountability and a high degree of professionalism.

The Niger Delta crisis has been a major threat to both socio-economic activities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. At present, the amnesty programme is six years since it implementation in the Niger Delta as the Federal Government of Nigeria through the amnesty package had good intentions for granting militants amnesty with the hope that the gesture would effectively put an end to youths restiveness in the region. Amnesty therefore is a guarantee of exemption from prosecution and pardon from punishment for certain criminal, rebel and insurgent actions hitherto committed usually against the state. It indemnifies affected ersons
in terms of safety and protection from punitive actions, retributions and associated losses.