Distinguished African historian and academic, Professor Toyin Falola, has called for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s political culture, emphasizing its role in achieving sustainable development and strengthening democratic institutions. Delivering the 2024 convocation lecture at Benue State University, Makurdi, on Friday, Falola’s lecture, titled “Power, Politics, and Policies,” highlighted the urgent need to address structural and cultural deficits within Nigeria’s political system.
Falola, who holds the prestigious Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at the University of Texas at Austin, USA, advocated for a transformative approach to education. He proposed the introduction of courses in Nigerian universities focusing on power dynamics, political structures, and policy formulation.
“Various new courses in Nigerian universities must explore ideas around power structures, political dynamics, and policy challenges in Nigeria,” Falola said. “These courses will assess their implications for sustainable development and democratic consolidation, underscoring the need for a reformed political culture that prioritizes accountability, inclusivity, and transparency in policymaking.
”Falola further suggested the establishment of a dedicated program titled “Power, Politics, and Policies” (PPP), designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical policymaking.
“Students will not only learn theories like dependency theory, post-colonialism, and federalism but also engage in original research with case studies on institutions like the EFCC and ICPC. Data analysis, economic modeling, and visualizations will enable students to create actionable insights for planning and policy-making,” he explained.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of civil servants in shaping governance, Falola stressed the necessity of continuous education and training in public institutions.
“We must make it compulsory for workers in public institutions to undergo regular education on PPP. This is critical in understanding the power relations that fuel insurgencies, terrorism, and herder-settler conflicts,” he asserted.
Delving into Nigeria’s governance challenges, Falola identified structural power as a major factor influencing political decisions and perpetuating inequality.
“Structural power defines how authority flows within formal institutions, shaping decision-making through constitutions, legislative bodies, and executive offices,” he noted. He criticized Nigeria’s winner-takes-all electoral system, describing it as a mechanism that marginalizes minority voices and stifles opposition.
“Our political culture is often shrouded in parliamentary supremacy that marginalizes opposition voices, creating a fait accompli governance model. This must change,” he urged.
Falola’s lecture also examined the detrimental impact of elite dominance and economic power on policymaking.
“Elite theory shows how small, powerful networks dominate decision-making to protect their interests,” he explained. He warned that unchecked economic power distorts policy to favor wealthy interests, creating systemic inequality.
“Firms and interest groups use lobbying and campaign financing to influence legislation, often at the expense of the public good,” he said, advocating for a governance model that prioritizes the needs of the majority.
Falola emphasized the need for civic education that fosters a deeper understanding of power dynamics and governance processes among citizens.
“Power must be wielded responsibly to ensure that policies serve the common good. Politics is not merely about governance; it is about who gets to exert influence and how that influence shapes the nation’s future,” he stated.
Professor Falola concluded by urging Nigerians to rethink their political culture, calling it a collective responsibility to reform governance and build a more equitable society.
“To reform our political culture is to reform our collective destiny,” he declared, receiving widespread applause from the audience.
The lecture was hailed as a profound and timely contribution to Nigeria’s national discourse on governance, with attendees describing it as a blueprint for political and institutional transformation.
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