JAMB Question: Is Nigeria A Democratic Country?

It is not anomalous for anyone to see some Nigerians, particularly the youths retorting with the slang, “JAMB Question” whenever they are confronted with a problematic question they do not readily have answer to. In fact, the term “Jamb question” has become a popular slang expression in Nigeria, and it refers to a question that is perceived to be unexpectedly difficult or complex. The origin of this slang term is linked to the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), which is the Nigerian federal government agency responsible for the administration of entrance examinations into tertiary-level institutions in the country.

The reason for expressing the foregoing view cannot be farfetched as JAMB exams are known for their challenging and sometimes tricky questions, which can be a source of anxiety for students. As a result, when someone asks a question that seems overly complicated or seems to require a lot of thought or knowledge to answer, it is colloquially referred to as a “Jamb question.” This implies that the question is as tough as the ones asked in the JAMB examinations.

The use of “Jamb question” as slang captures the essence of Nigerian street lingo, where terms often arise from shared experiences and cultural references. It is a way for people to connect over common understandings and humorously express the difficulty of a situation or question.

In fact, the slang has had a notable impact on Nigerian popular culture, particularly in the realms of music, social media, and everyday communication. It has no doubt become a part of the colorful and expressive language that is characteristic of Nigeria’s vibrant street culture.

In music, for instance, artists have incorporated the term into lyrics, using it to convey messages about life’s complexities or to add a local flavor that resonates with the audience. For instance, Omawumi Megbele, known by her stage name Omawumi, a talented Nigerian singer-songwriter and actress of Itsekiri ethnicity, has a lyric that goes thus, “If you ask me, na who I go ask?” to her credit.

The term has also found its way into memes and viral content on social media platforms, where it is used to humorously comment on the perplexing nature of certain situations or questions.

Moreover, “Jamb question” reflects the creativity and adaptability of Nigerian slang, showing how language evolves and becomes embedded in the fabric of society. It is a testament to how a term rooted in the educational experiences of many Nigerians can transcend its original context and become a staple in the nation’s pop culture narrative.

Given the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient at this juncture to opine that it cannot be said to be a misnomer for anyone to conclude that the question, “Is Nigeria A Democratic Country?” is a JAMB question.

The reason for gaging the question to be a JAMB question cannot be farfetched as despite the fact that Nigeria’s system of government is officially a federal presidential republic, which means it has a democratic framework based on the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches that in practicality, there are elements of plutocracy and kleptocracy that keep blighting its spot-on meaning. The blights are so conspicuous that one would be compelled to jokingly poke that Nigeria’s system is a Jollof or concoction of government system literarily been cooked by politicians with ingredients of plutocracy and kleptocracy.

Without a doubt, Nigeria’s brand of democracy is so indescribable that if the question, “Is Nigeria a democratic country?” is posed to anyone that such person would be confused as he or she would perceived the question to be a JAMB question since there is no specific answer to it that can be assessed by an examiner that has an apolitical and unflustered mindset.

The reason why the question is befuddling is that despite the fact that Nigeria operates under a constitution that provides for a division of power between the federal government and the states, and aims to protect individual liberties, as earlier opined in this context, it is obvious that the ignoble level of rascality been displayed by some self-acclaimed democrats, who are invariably politicians, does not reflect what democracy ought to be as a system of government that was constitutionally adopted to engender people-centered governance in Nigeria.

The foregoing view is inspired by the fact that the portrayal of Nigeria’s system of government is observably evolving with a panoramic view of democratic, plutocratic, and kleptocratic systems of government, thereby throwing virtually every democratic-minded Nigerian into a state of confusion when confronted with the question, “Is Nigeria A Democratic Country?”

Without a doubt, the evolvement is so kaleidoscopic that not a few people can categorically say whether Nigeria’s system of government is democratic, plutocratic or kleptocratic. This is as there are influences of wealth and corruption in Nigeria’s political processes. This observation can be justified in this context by opining that plutocracy refers to a system where the wealthy have significant control or influence over government decisions, and kleptocracy refers to a government where officials use their positions to extend their personal wealth and political power, often at the expense of the populace. Without resorting to pour scorn on Nigeria’s system of government in this context, the foregoing observations are what Nigerians are experiencing since Nigeria retuned to democratic system of government in 1999, and paradoxically what the power that be calls democracy.

To further buttress the foregoing view, it is germane to opine that while Nigeria has a formal structure of a democratic government, it has since 1999 when Nigeria returned to democratic system of government been facing challenges related to governance, such as corruption and the influence of powerful individuals or groups, which have led to the perception that Nigeria’s democracy also has plutocratic and kleptocratic traits. Without a doubt, these issues are complex and multifaceted, and they highlight the ongoing efforts and struggles within the country to strengthen its democratic institutions and tackle corruption.

However, it is expedient to opine that considering the fact that democracy is widely regarded as a key component in fostering a just and free society that there are enough reasons why it is beneficial for contemporary Nigerian politicians to be democratic in their political activities.

To reinforce the foregoing view, it is germane to remind contemporary Nigerian politicians that democracy is based on the principle of ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people’ as it ensures that the government reflects the will of the Nigerian people.

It is equally germane to remind them that a democratic system often comes with a constitution that guarantees individual freedoms and rights, such as freedom of speech and the right to a fair trial, which are crucial for a vibrant civil society.

Added to the foregoing is that democracy promotes progress through peaceful competition between different interests and ideas. Without a doubt, this can lead to more responsible politics and prevent the dominance of a single interest group or ideology.

In a similar vein, it is salient to argue in this context that evidences that show that democratic countries are generally better governed than autocracies abound. This is as they tend to grow faster and foster more peaceful conduct within and between nations.

Another salient reason why contemporary Nigerian politicians should always imbibe the tenets of democracy, and ensure they are brought to bear on Nigeria’s political space is that it allows citizens to hold them accountable. Without a doubt, holding Nigerian politicians accountable; either individually or collectively, can lead to more ethical governance, and engender a reduction of corruption and abuse of power.

Also in a similar vein is that participatory democracy encourages innovation and collective decision-making, which can lead to more effective and inclusive policies.

In fact, research has shown that democratic attributes such as political representation, citizens’ participation, and electoral competition can enhance societal well-being, including reducing the rate of unemployment, poverty and restiveness.

In summary, contemporary Nigerian politicians should begin to learn how to embrace democratic principles in their political activities as it would help them to create a more inclusive, accountable, and prosperous society. The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched as it is globally acknowledged that democracy is a system that not only respects the voice of the people but also creates an environment where different ideas can coexist and contribute to the nation’s development, so they should not be making the question, “Is Nigeria a democratic country?” look as if it is a JAMB question.