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By Ojo Ademola
Introduction
Nigeria’s democratic journey has been marked by resilience, diversity, and aspiration. Since the return to civilian rule in 1999, the country has made significant strides in consolidating democratic institutions. Yet one of the most persistent obstacles remains identity politics. Electoral behaviour, political mobilisation, and governance debates are frequently influenced by ethnic, regional, and religious considerations. Diversity in itself is not a weakness. Nigeria’s multiplicity of cultures, languages, and faith traditions is one of its greatest assets. The challenge arises when these identities become the primary basis upon which citizens evaluate political leadership. When competence, integrity, and policy performance are overshadowed by identity loyalties, democracy is weakened, and national development suffers.
Comparative democracies show that identity politics is not unique to Nigeria. In the United States, racial and religious identities often shape voting patterns. In India, caste and religion remain influential. In Belgium and Canada, linguistic and regional identities play a role. However, the difference lies in how institutions and civic culture mitigate these tendencies. Nigeria’s task is therefore not to erase identity but to build a political culture in which citizenship carries greater democratic weight than tribal, regional, or religious affiliation.
Why identity politics persists
Identity politics persists because many citizens have historically relied on ethnic and religious networks for protection, opportunity, and representation. Weak institutions often encourage people to seek security through group loyalties rather than through confidence in national systems. Where citizens doubt the impartiality of public institutions, they naturally gravitate towards leaders who appear to represent their communal interests.
Political actors have also learned that identity mobilisation can be an effective path to power. By appealing to sentiments of belonging, politicians can attract support without providing detailed policy solutions. Such practices reinforce divisions and reduce elections to contests of identity instead of competitions of ideas.
Comparatively, in the United States, Pew Research data shows that 81% of African Americans consistently vote Democratic, while 70% of White Evangelicals vote Republican. In India, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has successfully mobilised Hindu identity, while regional parties rely on caste-based appeals. Nigeria’s situation mirrors these dynamics but is exacerbated by weaker institutional safeguards and higher levels of poverty, which make identity-based patronage more persuasive.
The need for stronger civic consciousness
One of the most effective ways to reduce identity politics is through civic education and the cultivation of a stronger national consciousness. Citizens must understand that democracy is founded on rights, responsibilities, and accountability. Schools, universities, faith communities, and civil society organisations all have a role in promoting democratic literacy. Nigerians should be encouraged to see themselves first as citizens who share a common destiny, even while retaining pride in their cultural heritage.
In Germany, civic education is embedded in school curricula, with emphasis on democratic values, tolerance, and constitutional rights. In Sweden, 87% of citizens express trust in democratic institutions, a figure that reflects the success of civic education and participatory governance. Nigeria can emulate these models by integrating civic education into curricula and encouraging public debates that emphasise citizenship over identity.
A politically informed population is more likely to evaluate candidates on their records, programmes, and competence than on ethnic or religious considerations.
Shifting the conversation to policy
Nigeria’s political discourse must move decisively towards policy-based engagement. Public debate should focus on economic growth, security, healthcare, education, technological advancement, and infrastructure. Media organisations have an important responsibility in this regard. Rather than amplifying divisive rhetoric, they should interrogate policy proposals and scrutinise governance performance.
In the United Kingdom, televised debates during elections focus heavily on policy issues such as healthcare (NHS funding), taxation, and foreign policy. In Canada, party manifestos are rigorously compared by media outlets, and voters often make decisions based on policy platforms. Nigeria’s media landscape must evolve similarly, prioritising issue-based journalism over sensational identity-driven narratives.
Universities, professional bodies, and civic groups can contribute by organising issue-based debates and policy forums. This would help shift public attention from identity to governance outcomes.
Authentic journalism and press reporting
The press occupies a central position in the architecture of democracy. In Nigeria, as in many other diverse societies, journalism can either reinforce identity divisions or help transcend them. Authentic journalism—defined by accuracy, fairness, and a commitment to public interest—has the capacity to shift political discourse from tribal and religious loyalties to policy-driven debates. When the media prioritises investigative reporting, fact-checking, and issue-based analysis, it empowers citizens to evaluate leaders on competence and governance outcomes rather than primordial affiliations.
Nigeria’s media landscape is vibrant, with hundreds of newspapers, radio stations, and digital platforms. Yet, the challenge lies in the tendency of some outlets to amplify sensational identity rhetoric, often for commercial gain or political patronage. This undermines democratic consolidation by entrenching divisions. By contrast, authentic journalism can serve as a corrective force. For instance, when media houses rigorously interrogate policy proposals on healthcare, education, or economic reform, they provide citizens with the tools to make informed choices.
Comparative democracies illustrate the transformative role of journalism. In Germany, public broadcasters such as ARD and ZDF are mandated to provide balanced coverage, ensuring that electoral debates focus on substantive policy issues. Surveys show that 72% of Germans trust their public broadcasters, a figure that contributes to high levels of civic engagement. In Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) plays a similar role, offering in-depth analysis of party manifestos and governance performance. This has helped reduce the salience of linguistic and regional divides in national elections. In the United Kingdom, the BBC’s tradition of impartiality has historically shaped public discourse, ensuring that elections are contested on issues such as healthcare funding and economic policy rather than identity alone.
Nigeria can draw lessons from these examples. A press corps committed to authentic journalism can help dismantle the dominance of identity politics by spotlighting governance failures and successes. For instance, rather than reporting primarily on which ethnic group a candidate belongs to, journalists could investigate how effectively that candidate has managed public resources, implemented reforms, or addressed corruption. Such reporting would gradually shift public expectations, making competence and accountability the benchmarks of leadership.
Statistics underscore the importance of press integrity. According to Afrobarometer, only 43% of Nigerians express trust in the media, compared to 70% in Canada and 68% in Germany. This trust deficit weakens the media’s ability to shape democratic culture. Strengthening press freedom, protecting journalists from harassment, and promoting ethical standards are therefore essential steps. When citizens trust the press, they are more likely to rely on it for credible information, reducing the influence of identity-based propaganda.
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Digital platforms also present both opportunities and risks. Social media has amplified youth participation in Nigeria, but it has also been a conduit for misinformation and divisive rhetoric. Authentic journalism must therefore extend into the digital space, with media organisations investing in fact-checking initiatives and digital literacy campaigns. In the United States, outlets such as ProPublica and FactCheck.org have played a vital role in countering misinformation, ensuring that public debates remain tethered to evidence. Nigeria’s media can emulate these practices to safeguard democratic discourse.
Ultimately, authentic journalism is not merely about reporting events; it is about shaping the democratic imagination. By elevating policy over identity, the press can help Nigerians see themselves as citizens bound by shared aspirations rather than as members of competing tribes or faiths. This shift is indispensable for deepening democracy, as it reorients political competition towards ideas, competence, and accountability.
Reforming Political Parties
Political parties remain central to democratic development. Many Nigerian parties are perceived as vehicles for personalities rather than institutions driven by ideological principles. Reducing identity politics requires parties to strengthen internal democracy, improve transparency, and embrace policy coherence. Candidate selection processes should be credible and merit-based. Party manifestos should provide clear directions on governance priorities.
In Germany, parties such as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD) are rooted in ideological traditions that guide their policies. In the United States, despite polarisation, the Democratic and Republican parties maintain distinct policy platforms. Nigeria’s parties must evolve beyond personality cults and identity mobilisation to become institutions of ideas and governance.
Economic Inclusion and Independent Citizenship
Economic insecurity often makes citizens vulnerable to patronage networks. Addressing poverty and unemployment is therefore essential to reducing identity politics. A more prosperous society empowers citizens to make independent political decisions and to judge leaders on performance rather than communal benefits.
Statistics from the World Bank show that Nigeria’s poverty rate stands at about 40%, compared to 10% in Brazil and less than 5% in Germany. In societies where poverty is lower, citizens are less dependent on ethnic or religious patronage. Economic inclusion therefore strengthens democratic independence.
Policies that promote job creation, entrepreneurship, and equitable distribution of resources will reduce the appeal of identity-based politics.
Building Trust in Institutions
Strong institutions are the foundation of a healthy democracy. Citizens are less likely to retreat into identity-based politics when they trust the judiciary, electoral bodies, security agencies, and anti-corruption institutions. Institutional reforms should emphasise professionalism, transparency, and accountability.
In Denmark, 79% of citizens express trust in their judiciary, compared to less than 30% in Nigeria according to Afrobarometer surveys. In Canada, Elections Canada enjoys widespread credibility, ensuring that electoral disputes are minimal. Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must strengthen its transparency and efficiency to build similar trust.
Encouraging National Integration
National integration requires deliberate effort. Educational exchanges, community partnerships, and interfaith initiatives can weaken stereotypes and build mutual understanding. Political leaders must embrace language that unites rather than divides.
In South Africa, post-apartheid reconciliation efforts such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission helped foster national unity. In Switzerland, multilingual education and federalism ensure that linguistic diversity does not undermine national cohesion. Nigeria can adopt similar strategies by promoting inter-ethnic dialogue, cultural exchanges, and inclusive governance.
The Promise of a New Generation
Nigeria’s younger generation offers significant hope. Many young people engage politically through digital platforms and civic initiatives that transcend traditional identity boundaries. They often place greater emphasis on accountability, innovation, and governance outcomes.
Globally, youth participation has reshaped politics. In the United States, young voters were pivotal in the 2008 and 2020 elections, prioritising issues such as climate change and social justice. In France, youth movements have influenced debates on education and employment. Nigeria’s youth, who constitute over 60% of the population, can similarly drive a shift towards issue-based politics if given the right platforms and opportunities.
Conclusion
The reduction of identity politics is a national necessity. Nigeria cannot fully realise its democratic and developmental potential if political choices continue to be dominated by ethnic, regional, and religious calculations. Democracy flourishes when voters prioritise competence, integrity, and performance above primordial loyalties.
Comparative evidence from developed democracies shows that while identity politics exists everywhere, strong institutions, civic education, economic inclusion, and policy-based discourse can mitigate its effects. Nigeria’s diversity should enrich democratic life rather than define its limits. By strengthening institutions, reforming parties, empowering citizens economically, and fostering civic consciousness, Nigeria can build a democracy where citizenship matters more than tribe or faith.
