Topic: 2025 – Authoritarianism and Democracy
Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: Liam Ahmad
Special Political Committee
Authoritarianism and Democracy
The Federal Republic of Nigeria
Liam Ahmad
Forest Hills Eastern High School
Global freedom has been declining for sixteen consecutive years. As a result, there has been a global shift in opinion. In 2022, 52% of citizens across 77 countries agreed that having an autocratic government is considered a good thing, a drastic increase from 2009, roughly a 32% increase. Due to the growing toxicity within politics and polarization of political bodies, such actions have become a leading contributor to converting countries into structures with an autocratic nature. In addition, with declining serious opposition and pluralism, leaders of such political bodies can push their agendas through misinformation and media censorship, further establishing autocratic regimes within political bodies. The United Nations, founded on the model of democracy, sees the rise of authoritarian regimes as a critical issue and has taken action in various forms. For instance, in a speech from the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, many issues were discussed, such as warnings on human rights violations, the importance of global cooperation, and cessation of the weaponization of technology. Nigeria’s official position remains strongly pro democratic at home and abroad and demands constitutional mandates and international commitments. Nigeria’s unique past with combating issues of authoritarianism, such as civil rights suppression, unlawful military use, and political corruption, all contribute to Nigeria’s strong stance on authoritarianism to prevent other countries from falling into such repression.
Nigeria’s position on democracy backsliding emphasises the importance of strengthening and maintaining proper democratic institutions and practices so that human rights and oppression do not resurface within Nigeria’s government again. Nigeria has made attempts to strengthen democratic institutions by passing a major electoral reform bill, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which bolsters mandated timely release of election funds, requires electronic result transmission, and imposes stiffer penalties for fraud. Furthermore, Nigeria’s Supreme Court increased the autonomy of seven hundred and seventy-four local government councils, affirming the municipality’s right to manage budgets without state interference. The National Assembly, likewise, initiated the establishment of a federal Local Government Election Commission to protect local polls to further protect democratic institutions. On a national level, Nigeria has co‐launched the UN Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) for West Africa, a framework (signed with UNDP/ECOWAS) to improve elections, early warning systems, and civil‐society engagement regionally. Nigeria also actively debated at the 2025 UN General Assembly. Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s devotion to “peace and development, where the respect for human rights is paramount.”
The Federal Republic of Nigeria urges the United Nations to implement UN observation in future elections for countries with weak democratic institutions, as well as UN aid to said countries struggling with weaker democracies.
