Secular by law, Sharia courts are still allowed to operate in Nigeria. One such court sentenced 22-year-old singer Aminu Sharif to death for blasphemy
Nigeria articles on Democracy Chronicles
News about the struggle for better democracy in Nigeria. According to Freedom House, Nigeria is not an electoral democracy. Elections in the largest country in Africa have "by and large been chaotic affairs marked by vote rigging and violence". Also check out our section on World Democracy and our articles on Africa.
Nigeria’s Militarised Democratic Experiment: lessons for Sudan?
On Sudan’s transition, expert opinion raises the question of whether Nigeria’s militarised democratic experiment should serve as a lesson.
Nigeria detaining Child Victims of Boko Haram
Through interviews Human Rights Watch discovered that some children arrested in Nigeria’s Boko Haram crackdown were actually victims of the terrorist group.
Cameroon: Life Sentence for Separatists Gross Violation of Rights
UN Refugee Agency said the life sentencing of separatist leaders by Cameroon Military court violates the fundamental principle of non-refoulement practice.
Another spate of xenophobic violence in South Africa
September 2, 2019, South Africa recorded another spate of xenophobic violence against foreign national in South Africa’s commercial capital, Johannesburg.
Nigerians Attack South African Businesses in Retaliation
South African businesses in Nigeria are being targeted with violence in retaliation for xenophobic attacks carried against Africans working in South Africa.
Deadly Crackdown in Nigeria on Shia Protest
Nigerian police fired apparently unlawfully on a peaceful protest by the Shia Islamic Movement in Nigeria in the capital, Abuja, on July 22, 2019.
Nigerian Ponders Far-Reaching Constitutional And Political Challenges
INEC says constitutional and legal alterations and amendments alone cannot solve the challenges of the electoral process in the country.
Nigeria’s Wavering Commitment to Freedom of Expression
The authorities have struggled to maintain a balance between regulating against extreme views and hate speech and preserving the right to free speech.
How ‘Warlord Democrats’ Threaten Africa’s Democratic Moment
In the 60-plus years since the countries of sub-Saharan Africa started becoming independent, democracy there has advanced unevenly.