Scholars, policymakers and university leaders have called for deep institutional reforms, inclusive leadership and a renewal of civic consciousness to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and reposition the country for sustainable development.
This call came during the International Conference on “Diversity, Democracy and International Relations” organised by the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Lagos State University (LASU), in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.
The two-day event, held from October 8 to 9, 2025, at the Femi Gbajabiamila Conference Hall, LASU Main Campus, Ojo, brought together intellectuals, government officials, diplomats, and students to reflect on Nigeria’s post-independence journey and evolving place in the global order.
In his welcome address, Acting Head of Department, Abdul-Wasi Babarinde Moshood, said the 2-day conference provides a platform to discuss key national questions such as “Pax Nigeria: incentives, challenges, realities and Nigeria’s democracy.
He urged participants to critically reflect on the mistakes and lessons from 65 years of independence while reimagining the country’s future.
Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, described the gathering as a “timely reflection” on Nigeria’s democratic experiment and a reaffirmation of LASU’s intellectual leadership in the national discourse.
She noted that Nigeria’s 65-year experience had been one of “trials, triumphs, and tenacity,” stressing that universities must play a key role in shaping governance and development ideas.
“This conference sustains an intellectual tradition that keeps alive the culture of critical engagement with our national realities,” the Vice-Chancellor said. “As we mark 65 years of independence, we must not only celebrate but also interrogate how diversity, democracy and institutional integrity intersect in building a more resilient Nigeria.”
Professor Olatunji-Bello also expressed appreciation to LASU alumnus Abolaji Toheeb Alabi (Flexaago) for a symbolic contribution to the university, dedicating the gesture “to the entire LASU community.”
Delivering the keynote address, Emeritus Professor Bayo Adekanye of the University of Ibadan traced Nigeria’s institutional and political crises to its historical foundations. He described the country as a “product of imperial construction,” adding that without confronting the structural legacies of colonialism, efforts at democratic consolidation would remain fragile.
“Nigeria is a business creator. Nigeria is an artificial state,” Adekanye declared, noting that the persistence of ethnoregional fragmentation and weak state institutions stemmed from the “fragile architecture of amalgamation and elite bargaining” that shaped the country’s origin.
He urged policymakers to move beyond “ethnic arithmetic” in leadership selection and instead strengthen public institutions to serve citizens equitably, warning that continued elite dominance without institutional balance would perpetuate inequality and public distrust.
In his own address, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and former Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, urged Nigerians to re-examine the narrative of state failure. He argued that Nigeria’s problem is one of state fragility — not collapse — and that rebuilding trust between state and citizens remains crucial.
“Most of you say, ‘this house has fallen,’ but I tell you, the house is fragile, not fallen,” Osaghae said. “Our challenge is to strengthen the state, not to despair about it. Fragility is an opportunity for innovation, for redesigning systems that no longer serve their purpose.”
He linked this fragility to institutional weaknesses, elite capture, and poor accountability, insisting that reform must begin with the re-professionalization of the public service and the devolution of power to ensure better governance outcomes.
Participants at the event emphasized the need for merit-based leadership, institutional autonomy, decentralization, and civic education. Many agreed that Nigeria’s democracy could only flourish when citizens are informed, institutions are trusted, and governance is transparent.
The event featured paper presentations which further examined issues such as democratic consolidation, gender inclusion, foreign policy direction, and the impact of digital technologies on governance.
