Two Books on Nigeria

These two complementary books shed a great deal of light on contemporary Nigeria. Omeni’s lively history of the Nigeria Police Force, founded in the late nineteenth century, traces the abiding imprint of British colonialism and the effects of several decades of military authoritarianism on the country’s national institutions. Omeni argues that British rule created a relatively strong police body, but one with few organic links to society and focused more on maintaining the security of the state than protecting citizens. The police were already using violence with impunity against civilians when the military took over the country in 1966. Under military rule, the police force was largely neglected by successive regimes and lacked resources, qualified personnel, and administrative oversight. Since 1999, civilian governments have done little to revive and reform the police force, despite a rise in violent crime and recurring scandals involving police brutality. An excellent chapter on the emergence of antipolice protests in 2020 suggests the government must enact major police reforms to regain the trust of Nigerians.

Usman provides a sharp snapshot of the modern Nigerian economy. Well supported by striking examples and data, she argues that Nigeria has failed to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil because of elite politics. In particular, she argues that elite coalitions in power have been fragile, repeatedly undermined by changing political currents, and as a result have not committed themselves to long-term policy solutions. Economic growth has been uneven, owing in large part to the instability of the elite coalitions that have dominated Nigerian politics since independence in 1960 and have routinely redistributed power across political actors and institutions. Nonetheless, Usman is more optimistic than is Omeni about Nigeria’s ability to reform. She notes that a vigorous private sector exists and has already begun the hard work of economic diversification. Her book points to past elite power-sharing arrangements that have produced stability and paved the way for more systematic reform. Unfortunately, Usman does not discuss the form these power-sharing arrangements should take or how they could prevent ongoing abuses of power at the apex of the state.