ABSTRACT
The research project titled “Traditional Institutions and Democratization process in Nigeria 2015-2020, was guided by three research objectives; to find out contributions of traditional institutions in Nigeria democratic process, to investigate the relationship between traditional institutions and modern day democracy; to discover challenges facing traditional institutions within the Nigeria democratic space. The research adopted descriptive survey and Purposive sampling was used for the determination of the appropriate sample size from the population of the study. A total sample of 400 copies of questionnaire were administered using five Likert Scale. Frequency and percentages were used for analysis of the returned and valid copies of questionnaire completed by the respondents. Chi-Square was also used to analyse the semi structured interviews. The results from the test of hypotheses showed that; the calculated value of x2 = 20.000 was greater than the table value of x2 = 7.81, it was therefore expected to reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis. This shows from the statistical significance indicated that traditional institutions contribute to Nigeria democratic process. It was also observed from the study from calculated value of x2 = 30.000 being greater than the table value of x2 = 7.81 in H2, which indicates rejecting the null hypothesis and accepting the alternative hypothesis of relationship between traditional institution and modern day democracy in Nigeria. Based on the results, it was recommended that Traditional institution should adequately contribute and be involved in Nigeria democratic process for the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. The relationship between traditional institutions and democratization should remain high in that government should constitutionalize traditional institutions which in turn helps in carrying out their functions. Challenges facing traditional institution within Nigeria Democratic space should be looked into by the government. Outlined challenges identified are funding, relegating the institution to a mere chaff, and no nexus between the government and the institution.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Declaration Page ii
Certification Page iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Abstract vi
Table of Contents vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background to the study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 4
1.3 Objective sof the Study 5
1.4 Research Questions 5
1.5 Research Hypotheses 6
1.6 Significance of the Study 6
1.7 Scope of the Study 7
1.8 Limitations of the Study 7
1.9 Definition of Terms 7
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Conceptual Framework 9
Defining Democracy 9
Concept of Traditional Institution 9
Diversity and transformation of traditional institutions 11
Decentralized systems 11
Centralized systems 12
Towards a new typology of African traditional institutions 13
Challenges Facing Traditional Institution within Nigeria
Democratic Space 14
Harnessing Traditional Institutions for democracy, 16
development and peace in Nigeria
Areas of potential contribution of traditional institutions to
democratization process in Nigeria 18
The role of traditional institutions in contemporary democracy 20
in Nigeria.
2.2 Theoretical Review 25
Traditional school of thought 25
The Modernist School of Thought 26
2.3 Empirical Review 30
2.4 Summary of Reviewed Literature 33
2.5 Gap in Literature 35
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY 36
3.1 Research Design 36
3.2 Area of the Study 36
3.3 Sources of Data 37
3.3 .1 Primary Sources of Data 37
3.3 .2 Secondary Sources of Data 37
3.4 Population of the Study 37
3.5 Sample and Sampling Technique 37
3.6 Data Collection Instrument 40
3.7 Validity of the Instrument 40
3.8 Reliability of the Instrument 41
3.9 Method of Data Analysis 41
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS 42
4.1: Data Presentation 42
4.2 Test of Research Hypotheses 47
4.3 Discussion of Findings 52
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of Findings 53
5.2 Conclusion 53
5.3 Recommendations 54
REFERENCES
APPENDES