CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE CHALLENGES OF DEMOCRACTIC GOVERNANCE IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICA: THE CASE OF NIGERIA

Ajulor, Victor Omoniyi and Adejuwon, Kehinde David

Department of Public Administration

Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State

ABSTRACT

That there is crisis of democratic governance in Africa is real and tangible. It is obvious and clear, even to the deaf and blind as it is to the common and uncommon Africans. The paper investigates the impact of civil society efforts at democratisation in Africa. It looks at the role of civil society in promoting good governance and argues that good governance is a cornerstone of reconstruction and sustainable development. The paper also gives a cursory look at the various arguments as to what constitute good governance and how civil society plays a role in ensuring its compliance.