During my last trip to the United States, both of the Uber drivers who took me to and from the airport happened to be Nigerians. One hailed from Ibadan, while the other was from Abeokuta. Although they were both business owners, they drove for Uber on the side. Throughout our ride, they expressed their dissatisfaction with the state of affairs in Nigeria, including their disappointment with the most recent election. They were frank in stating that they did not anticipate any positive change occurring. Reflecting on our conversation, it became apparent that democracy is not functioning effectively in Nigeria. While democracy is often considered to be the fairest and most impartial form of government when compared to other political systems, its efficacy is dependent on the caliber of its citizens. If the members of a democratic society exhibit tendencies toward corruption, selfishness, and materialism, then these characteristics will likely be reflected in the government itself. Put simply, the conduct of the populace has a substantial impact on the performance of a democratic government. Consequently, if we wish for democracy to be robust, the populace must also demonstrate a strong commitment to good governance, justice, and equity.
