From Disappointment to Despair: 83% Of Nigerians Losing Faith in Tinubu Govt, Public Institutions, Poll Reveals

 

The 2025 edition of the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey, released by the Africa Polling Institute (API), paints a sobering picture of the nation’s democratic and social health. Conducted with the backing of the Ford Foundation, the extensive nationwide study revealed a startling erosion of public trust in major institutions of the Nigerian government. From the executive and legislative arms to the judiciary, confidence levels have continued to plummet.

An overwhelming 83 percent of respondents reported little or no trust in the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The National Assembly did not fare any better, with 82 percent of participants expressing dissatisfaction with its performance under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. This growing disillusionment, as highlighted by API, marks the lowest trust level recorded in the history of the survey, which dates back to its inaugural edition in 2019.

Citizens’ confidence in the judiciary is also deeply shaken. A staggering 79 percent of respondents said they have little or no faith in the judicial system, citing leadership under both the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, and the newly appointed Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. The judiciary, once viewed as a stabilizing force in the country's democratic setup, is now seen by many as compromised and distant from the average Nigerian’s reality.

Survey findings also indicated that Nigeria’s social cohesion is dangerously weak. The API social cohesion index now stands at a fragile 46.8 percent. This measure captures the level of trust, cooperation and sense of belonging among Nigeria’s diverse population. The current figure suggests a fraying national fabric where divisions run deep and unity appears more aspirational than actual.

Yet, amid the widespread despair and dissatisfaction, a complex and ironic development is unfolding. Nigerians across religious, ethnic and regional lines are now finding common ground in shared struggle. According to the survey, respondents cited overwhelming economic hardship, rising costs of living, lack of economic opportunities and dwindling purchasing power as unifying frustrations. The economic policies introduced under the Tinubu-led government have, according to many, failed to deliver prosperity or alleviate suffering. Instead, they appear to have further deepened poverty and widened inequality.

Citizens repeatedly pointed to high transportation costs and unaffordable prices of goods and services as critical pressure points in their daily lives. The economic reality, they said, is driving more people into poverty, fuelling resentment and hopelessness.

The perception of national failure is perhaps best encapsulated by one of the report's most telling statistics: 53 percent of Nigerians admitted to feeling disappointed in the country. This sentiment cuts across age, gender and region, according to API, indicating a national crisis of confidence.

Over a period of two months, from January to February 2025, the API team conducted face-to-face household interviews with a sample size of 5,465 Nigerians aged 15 and above. These interviews were conducted across the country’s six geopolitical zones, using a Stratified Random Sampling technique to ensure geographic and demographic representation. Surveys were administered in English, Pidgin, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo to reflect linguistic diversity and reach a broad population base.

The data reveals not just a country in economic trouble, but one where citizens feel increasingly alienated from the institutions meant to serve them. Trust, a key pillar of governance and national development, is at risk of total collapse if corrective measures are not taken urgently.

Dr. Bell Ihua, the Executive Director of API, said during the presentation of the report in Abuja that the findings are a wake-up call to leaders at all levels. He emphasized the need for urgent policy interventions that restore public trust, build economic resilience, and promote inclusivity across all sectors of society.

He warned that without deliberate and sustained efforts to repair the broken contract between the government and its people, the country could face even deeper social fragmentation. Ihua noted that public confidence is not just about policy success but also about perception, transparency and accountability.

As Nigeria marks another year of democratic governance, the voices captured in this survey call for reflection and decisive action. The message from the people is loud and clear. They are not just disillusioned with leadership, but are also seeking a new social contract that reflects their hopes, acknowledges their struggles and delivers real change.