Governance experts have stressed that democracy must deliver tangible benefits to citizens if open societies are to survive, urging governments to strengthen institutions, uphold accountability and promote active civic participation.
The call was made at the second edition of the Abuja Policy Lab, organised by the German Embassy in Abuja and themed, “The Open Society and Its Enemies: How Do We Defend Our Freedom?”
Speaking at the event, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, Mrs. Annett Günther, said democracies around the world were facing increasing threats from disinformation, political polarisation and declining public trust in institutions and the media.
Quoting German philosopher Karl Popper, she said tolerance and freedom could not endure if those who sought to undermine them were allowed to exploit democratic freedoms unchecked.
According to Günther, Germany’s own history demonstrates that democracy, freedom and the rule of law require constant vigilance, protection and renewal.
Also speaking, Mr. Alkasim Abdulkadir, Technical Adviser at the Regional Partnership for Democracy and a foreign affairs analyst, said democracy must improve citizens’ lives to earn and sustain public confidence.
He argued that poverty, poor service delivery and weak governance create fertile ground for anti-democratic forces.
Abdulkadir urged governments to tackle poverty, improve access to justice and strengthen accountability, noting that about 63 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line.
He also called for stronger border security, stressing the need for Nigeria to effectively secure its territory and protect its citizens.
Mrs. Ene Obi, Executive Director of the Ene Obi Centre for Development, identified shrinking civic space and the under-representation of women, young people and persons with disabilities as major obstacles to democratic governance.
She advocated electoral reforms, institutionalised deliberative democracy and expanded civic education at the grassroots to encourage greater citizen participation.
According to Obi, democracy can only flourish when citizens actively engage in governance and consistently demand accountability from public institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ms. Sophie Knebel, Resident Representative of Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, said safeguarding open societies requires more than political rhetoric.
She urged governments to ensure democratic institutions remain accountable beyond election cycles and that citizens experience the benefits of democracy through inclusive governance, meaningful dialogue and respect for human rights.
Knebel also warned against political narratives that weaken the rule of law, saying governments must respond effectively to citizens’ concerns over inequality and insecurity.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants agreed that resilient institutions, independent judiciaries, credible electoral bodies, a pluralistic media and sustained civic education are essential to preventing extremist actors from exploiting weaknesses in democratic systems.
The panellists also highlighted Nigeria’s border security challenges, noting that according to the Nigeria Immigration Service and security experts, the country has more than 1,400 illicit or irregular entry routes along its approximately 4,000-kilometre land borders, compared with only about 80 to 120 officially manned border posts.
In his closing remarks, the host urged stakeholders to sustain dialogue across sectors, stressing that the strength of an open society lies in its ability to resolve differences peacefully through democratic engagement.
The Abuja Policy Lab is an initiative of the German Embassy aimed at promoting policy dialogue on governance, democracy and development in Nigeria.
The event attracted diplomats, policymakers, civil society leaders, development partners and other stakeholders committed to advancing democratic governance.
Source:NAN
