Study Shows Increasing Distrust In Government, Institutions

A survey conducted by the Africa Polling Institute (API), an independent and non-partisan opinion research think-tank with support from the Ford Foundation, has revealed a growing trust deficit among Nigerians in government and its institutions.

This is contained in the API 2026 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey report released at a National Social Cohesion Dialogue in Abuja which computed Nigeria’s Social Cohesion Index (NSCI) at 48.8%.

According to the report presented by the executive director of API, Professor Bell Ihua, the index represents a 2-percentage-point increase from last year’s, and the highest index recorded since the study commenced.

The survey findings indicated persistent trust among citizens in religious and traditional leaders, and very little trust in the government and public institutions.

Specifically, 51% and 45% of Nigerians expressed significant trust in religious and traditional leaders, respectively, compared with only 28% who trust the government of President Bola Tinubu and 23% who trust the National Assembly.

The assessment placed the National Assembly as the least trusted institution in the country, a position previously held by the police, with 24% trust in the current survey.

The survey revealed that 46% of Nigerians “feel truly proud of Nigeria”, compared to 41% who feel really disappointed in the country; while 11% feel indifferent.

“Also, 44% of Nigerians are proud of being equally identified as Nigerians and from their ethnic group; while 29% identify more with their ethnicity than with being Nigerian, compared to only 11% who feel more Nigerian than ethnic.

“The survey reported that 72% of Nigerians expressed little to no trust in the government of President Bola Tinubu, down 11-points from 83% in 2025.

Similarly, 77% expressed little to no trust in the National Assembly, while 73% expressed little to no trust in the judiciary.

“Comparatively, 49% expressed little to no trust in religious leaders, while 55% expressed little to no trust in traditional leaders.

“71% of citizens are extremely or somewhat willing” to sacrifice or give up something of interest for the collective good of the nation; 77% are extremely or somewhat willing to cooperate with fellow citizens from other ethnic groups to make Nigeria more united; and 73% are extremely or somewhat willing to participate in the political process to make Nigeria a better place for all.

“Also, 89% expressed willingness to support inter-ethnic marriages, compared with 62% who supported inter-faith marriages,” the report stated.

It further indicated that 48% believe the country is much more divided today than it was four years ago, up 17-points from 31% in 2025 while 20% believe the country is much more united today than it was four years ago.

On gender equality, the research showed that 69% of Nigerians agree that women should be allowed to lead in all aspects of society, especially in politics and corporate entities, and 62% agree that women should be given equal entitlement to family inheritances.

For the self-worth, 45% of Nigerians feel extremely or somewhat dissatisfied about their lives as Nigerians right now, compared to 41% who feel “extremely or Somewhat Satisfied”; while 55% would consider relocating abroad with family members if offered the opportunity.

The survey recommended that the government must now match citizens’ momentum with structural reforms; leveraging the national identity breakthrough by adopting inclusive citizenship frameworks that reinforce a shared vision and a sense of belonging across ethnic, religious, and regional lines.

“The majority Nigerian-first identification is the country’s most important social capital right now, and it must be protected and nurtured API recommends that Nigeria requires a National Social Cohesion Commission, similar to Kenya’s National Cohesion and Integration Commission, focused on fostering inclusive governance, national identity, unity, peaceful coexistence, trust, civic participation, social justice and positive future expectations, among other components of social cohesion.

“At least institute a Social Cohesion desk in every Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) of government, to ensure that development plans and public policies are inclusive and socially-cohesive, added.