Pat Stevens/
A poll conducted by the Africa Polling Institute (API) between April and May, 2021, has shown that over 7 in 10 Nigerians (73%) would relocate abroad at the slightest opportunity
The 2021 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey, a publication of (API), was undertaken to develop a social cohesion index for Nigeria and measure citizens’ perception of the state of social cohesion, according to API’s executive director, Bell Ihua.
The survey estimated the Nigeria Social Cohesion Index (NSCI) to be 44.2%, a figure below the average mark, an indication that “Nigeria is not as socially cohesive as it ought to be”.
Other highlights of the survey result are as follow:
Only about 26% have “a lot of trust and some trust” in President Muhammadu Buhari, while only 26% trust the judicial system.
55% of Nigerians have more trust in religious leaders, while 44% have more trust in traditional leaders than the government.
59% of citizens believe that the future of Nigeria will be better this year, a decline from 66% in 2019.
Only 42% feel proud to be a Nigerian.
56% of Nigerians feel “extremely or somewhat dissatisfied” about their lives as Nigerians right now.
74% believe all Nigerians are not equal before the law.
59% believe that the government is managing the revenues from natural resources “poorly”.
83% of Nigerians consider human rights violations a problem in the country.
53% believe that impunity thrives in the current administration and 83% believe impunity amongst government officials is “increasing”.
7 in 10 citizens (69%) believe that the level of corruption has increased significantly in the past year, while 63% rate the government’s efforts at tackling corruption “poorly”.
Recommendations:
API urged the federal government to create a National Cohesion Commission tasked with ensuring that “all policies and activities of government have components within them that create a sense of belonging, promotes trust, fosters inclusive governance, and continuously offers citizens opportunities for upward mobility”.
It added that the federal government needs to forge a new national movement for Nigeria and Nigerians in form of a “new Nigerian Dream” that promotes unity, oneness and peaceful co-existence amongst citizens.
It suggested that institutions like the ministry of information and culture, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and their affiliates “have an increasing role to play, in shaping and amplifying narratives that help to promote social cohesion, inclusion and unity”.
A statement signed by Ihua, API further noted: “Religious and ethnic leaders should mitigate against hate speech, discrimination and hostility at the community level since they are closer to the people and citizens have more trust for them, as evident in the findings.
“CSOs contributions to social cohesion in Nigeria is imperative and viable because they possess the understanding, capacity and technical know-how to respond to societal issues and facilitate peaceful co-existence of the people which will help to rekindle public trust for civil authorities.
“Citizens are encouraged to participate in community dialogues, civil engagements and initiatives that promote cohesion and discuss the future of Nigeria; especially ideas and insights on how to build a more enduring and egalitarian society.
“While Nigerians remain resilient and committed to working together for a better country; we reiterate the need for a national dialogue to help renegotiate the fault lines that currently threaten our shared existence as a nation.”
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