A 2021 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey, which is a National Citizens Perception study undertaken by the Africa Polling Institute (API) with support from Ford Foundation indicates that Nigeria currently falls slightly below the average threshold of a socially cohesive country.
The study is an August 2021 executive-summary report of the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey designed to foster proper development of a national Social Cohesion Index for Nigeria, as well as gauge citizens’ perception regarding the state of social cohesion in the country.
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More so, it is a build-up from the first survey conducted in 2019, but the 2021 study is focused on 10 indicators and sub-indices on examining the concept of social cohesion in Nigeria.
The report is apt and germane to the current conversation bordering on Nigeria’s unity, stability, progress and peaceful coexistence, which have been threatened in recent times.
According to the report, evidence from findings during the survey suggests that social cohesion in Nigeria has weakened between 2019 and 2021.
Key findings carried out through the survey among other things revealed results of the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey 2021 and the Nigeria Social Cohesion Index with a computed score of 44.2 per cent, which is below the average social cohesion threshold. This points to the fact that Nigeria is not as socially cohesive as it ought to be.
Furthermore, in recent times, the country has become more divided along social, political, economic, ethnic and religious cleavage thereby questioning the roots of the country’s social fabric and co-existence as a people. The increasing lack of social cohesion in the country could be linked to several factors including outright disconnection from the social contract, deep perceptions of inequality, increasing poverty level, high unemployment rate, marginalization, heightened insecurity, exclusion, amongst others.
The survey was based on a purely quantitative approach through Citizens Perception on Survey (CPS), a designed questionnaire conducted by the research team and a methodology workshop organized on Jan. 26, 2021, in Abuja, whereby the questionnaire went through further reviews.
Also, data collection and interviews were administered between April and May 2021, via face-to-face Household survey, using the Stratified Random Sampling Technique.
Interviews were conducted in five major languages: English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. Geographic quotas were assigned to ensure that every Senatorial District and State was proportionately represented in the sample. The total of six Local Government Areas (LGAs) was visited in every state (2 LGAs per Senatorial District), except in FCT where enumerators visited all six area councils.
A total of 8,114 interview contacts were attempted with 5,363 interviews completed, representing a response rate of 66.09 per cent and all respondents were aged 18 and older. The average time per interview was 25 minutes.
The Post-stratification gender and state weights were constructed and applied to the data to make it more representative of the population, allow for more accurate population totals of estimates and reduce non-response bias. The weights assigned were in proportion to the 2006 Nigerian population figures. The margin of error was 3 per cent at the mid-range with a confidence level of 95 per cent.
In line with this, the report stressed the need for urgent strategic measures and therefore, made some recommendations that should be taken as necessary steps to move the nation forward.
According to the Executive Director of API, Prof Bell Ihua, there is the need for the federal government to create a National Cohesion Commission, one with the crucial responsibility for ensuring that all policies and activities of government have components within them.
Speaking about the report, Ihua said, “The following recommendation will go a long way to shape policy that will revitalize the frightening sociopolitical and economic challenges currently bedevilling the state of social cohesion in Nigeria.”
Social cohesion is imperative for government to operate successfully, and the absence of social cohesion may threaten the peaceful co-existence of citizens; there’s need for the Federal Government to create a National Cohesion Commission, one with the crucial responsibility for 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. The government should, also, instruct public sector institutions to develop a social cohesion framework for public service delivery.
He also harped on the need to forge a new national movement for Nigeria and Nigerians, one which inhibits tendencies that cause conflicts, division, but strengthens forces that promote unity, oneness and peaceful co-existence amongst citizens.
Like a new Nigerian Dream, this movement needs to be stimulated by the government and marketed to the citizens. In this regard, public institutions such as the Ministry of Information, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and their affiliates have increasing roles to play in shaping and amplifying narratives that promote social cohesion and inclusion. Showcase exceptional examples of inter-ethnic and inter-religious marriages and successful corporate partnerships of citizens from different parts of the country.
It is imperative that the Federal, State and Local Governments identify new tactical measures that would promote social cohesion, peaceful inter-relations amongst citizens, and a stronger social contract between the government and the governed at all levels.
This can be achieved through institutional reforms targeted at promoting the respect for fundamental human rights of citizens and independence of the press, civil society and the judiciary, which promote good governance at all levels, which are pertinent to tackle prevailing socio-economic issues hindering the functionality of those living below the poverty line, as well as citizens of higher socio-economic demography.
Civil engagements and civil dialogues should be encouraged and organized at federal, state, local government and community levels; to enable citizens to express their opinions and grievances, especially those who feel alienated from governance. There’s a need for a national dialogue, for various groups and stakeholders of the Nigeria Project – ethnic nationalities, social, professional, traditional, religious, and otherwise – to seat together and discuss the future of the country, and look for ways to mend the widening fault lines of the country, as it is still “better to jaw, than to war-war”.
There is the need to strengthen the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) for sustainability and effective performance. The programmes and activities of NSIP, which target poor and vulnerable groups (children, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly and indigent groups), remain at the core of either promoting a sense of belonging and social inclusion or otherwise exclusion and deprivation, if not effectively managed. These groups constitute a significant proportion of citizens across the country, who hold deep resentments for state institutions and organized leadership, arising from feelings of exclusion, deprivation and marginalization.
Traditional Rulers and Religious Leaders play a significant role in fostering social cohesion in Nigeria because the citizens cannot subsist without ethnic and religious tolerance.
Religion and ethnicity play a huge role in fueling the crisis and civil unrest. The religious and traditional institutions are key instruments for resolving local conflicts in communities since many Nigerians have been found to trust these institutions, as they also identify strongly with their ethnicity and religious affiliations.
The leaders should fight against hate speech, discrimination and hostility at the community level since they are closer to the people and earn more trust of the people than the government as evident in the findings.
Civil Society of Nigeria (CSO) contributions to social cohesion in Nigeria are 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. Therefore, their collaboration with religious and traditional institutions to stimulate conflict resolution dialogues and initiatives would cement relationships across groups, as the study presents evidence to show that citizens have more trust in these institutions. Such trust in CSO’s creates a platform for the CSO’s to mediate, reconcile, build and monitor peacebuilding and social cohesion in Nigeria.
CSOs can also play a huge role in helping to rekindle public trust for civil authorities. While there’s evidence to suggest that effective implementation of programmes and policies that improve the livelihood and wellbeing of citizens can help to rebuild trust; CSOs can guide governments towards focusing on policies, programmes and projects that would have more impact on the lives of citizens, especially at the grass-root levels.
The participation of citizens, particularly the youths, in governance is often mitigated by socio-economic and political challenges that they experience in the community. However, every citizen has an important role to play in promoting peaceful co-existence with neighbours and other community members.
“We encourage Nigerians to embrace a new National Identity that emphasizes the strengths of Nigeria and her people. One that is reflective of the country’s past victories and successes focuses on the current achievements and expresses optimism for a brighter future.
“Nigeria is in dire need of Citizen Ambassadors. Citizens who will always think, speak, and act positively, about and towards the country. Citizens who will always see “the glass half full” about Nigeria from all walks of life and across various social demographics. Citizens who understand that nations are not defined by the boundaries and borderlines of their landmass, rather they are defined by people united by a common cause, value system and vision to fashion out the kind of society they wish to live in and bequeath to future generations,” Ihua said about the report.
The report encouraged citizens 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. Citizens should understand that no foreigner would come and change the country; and the responsibility of building a strong, prosperous and socially cohesive nation lies squarely in their hands.
If there is anything good about the API’s report, it is the fact that it has shed the light on issues tearing the country apart. It is now left for the government to take the necessary steps to address these issues raised.
The government at all levels should support the API and other research institutes in the country to assist with researches that will help them do their work better and move Nigeria closer to the promised land.
Desmond Igidi, a Public Research Analysts, writes from Lagos
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