Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said Nigeria’s democracy can only remain stable and enduring if it is supported by sound economic policies that bring real benefits to the people.
Jonathan made the remark on Thursday in Lagos during the 10th anniversary celebration of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, where a report on strengthening the connection between democracy and economic growth in Nigeria was unveiled.
He said although Nigeria’s democracy has survived over the years, mere survival is insufficient without policies that improve living conditions and produce meaningful economic results.
According to him, democracies across the world are facing increasing strain due to economic hardship, insecurity, social pressures and declining trust in public institutions.
“In Africa, these pressures are further reflected in contested elections, democratic backsliding, and rising instability,” he said.
Jonathan explained that democracy should not be measured only by elections, but by its ability to ensure accountability, inclusion and opportunities for citizens.
He stressed that strong democratic systems must be supported by transparent and responsive institutions capable of driving economic growth and innovation.
The former president warned that when democratic governments fail to deliver economic progress, they risk losing public confidence and legitimacy.
“Sustaining Nigeria’s democracy requires effective economic policies,” he said.
Jonathan added that nations must align democratic governance with strategies that encourage growth, job creation and shared prosperity.
He also cited countries such as China and the United Arab Emirates as examples of non-democratic systems that have achieved notable economic success, challenging assumptions about the automatic link between democracy and development.
He urged policymakers, civil society groups and the private sector to ensure democratic governance leads to genuine improvements in the lives of Nigerians, saying democracy must not only endure but also provide opportunity, prosperity and justice.