Why U.S. election is important to Nigeria — UNILAG VC

The Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folashade Ogunshola, says there are valuable lessons Nigeria can learn from the United States’ electoral system.

She listed the valuable lessons as transparency, accountability and inclusivity in elections.

Ogunshola, represented by Prof. Bolanle Oboh, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research), made this known at a 2024 U.S. Election event on Tuesday in Lagos.

The event organised by the U.S. Consulate General in collaboration with the University of Lagos had the theme: “Democracy in Action: Understanding the U.S. Electoral Process.”

Ogunshola said understanding the U.S. electoral process was crucial to foster democratic engagement and values including freedom of speech, the rule of law and the protection of individual rights.

“This should serve as a model for us all as we strive to enhance our democratic practices here in Nigeria.

“By observing how these principles are implemented in the U.S., we can better understand how to strengthen our own electoral processes and foster a culture of active citizenship.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our voices are heard and that we contribute to the democratic processes that shape our future,” she said.

She also encouraged students and faculty members to become actively involved in promoting democratic engagement on campus.

This, she said, can be achieved through participating in student governments, engaging in debates and organising forums that encourage discussions on civic responsibilities and democratic processes.

Gabriel Babawale, Professor of Political Economy and International Relations, at the Department of Political Science, UNILAG said Nigeria’s political system was patterned after the American presidential democracy.

Babawale described Nigeria as a multiethnic, multilingual, and multireligious nation just like the U.S. known as a nation of immigrants.

According to him, America’s commitment to the principle of checks and balances in governance and ensuring that no arm of government intrudes to the functions of the other is unique.

Babawale noted that Nigeria needs to emulate parts of the American electoral system for economic growth and development.

He stressed the need for technology for early voting and voting by Nigerians in the diaspora.

Speaking on why diaspora voting was not yet in place in Nigeria, he attributed the development to lack of trust.

“We need a new institutional order that citizens will have confidence and trust in.

“It’s not impossible. We just need to have strong, efficient, and legitimate institutions that command trust,” Babawale said.

Mr Michael Ervin, Political and Economic Chief at the U.S. Consulate, said elections were about accountable governance.

“The biggest question that observers of the American democratic system, especially of the U.S. presidential elections always ask is about the electoral college.

“The U.S. election is not a popularity contest straight away, the spoils do not go to the winner. It’s possible that a candidate might win the popular vote but not the election. It has happened four times, most recently in 2000 and 2016,” Ervin said.

He noted that democracy was the best but not always easy or perfect.

He said one of his country’s goals was to build a safer, more secure world.

“It’s very easy to fall into the trap of thinking safety and security is enough but a commitment to freedom and prosperity is also important,” Ervin said.

It was reported that the U.S. presidential election is scheduled to hold on November 5, with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris as main candidates.