Scholars, policymakers, civil society actors and other stakeholders have expressed concern over the underrepresentation of academics in Nigeria’s political leadership and public decision-making processes, saying the gap has contributed to weak governance and policy inconsistency in the country.
The concerns were raised during the 2026 Democracy Day Discourse organised by the Muslim Lecturers Association through its Committee on National Issues, Development and Advocacy.
The participants lamented what they described as a growing “deficit of intellectual influence in governance,” arguing that the absence of academics from leadership positions has weakened institutional performance and hindered evidence-based policymaking.
The discourse, themed “Classrooms to Cabinets: Activating Academic Leadership for Democracy and Governance,” featured presentations by Prof. Ismail Ibraheem of the University of Lagos, Associate Prof. Yinusa Olumuyiwa of Olabisi Onabanjo University, and Associate Prof. Olanike Adelakun of Lead City University, Ibadan. Lukman Raimi moderated the session.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the discourse and signed by Raimi, who is the Chairman of C-NIDA and convener of the event.
