2025 country profile

How democratic is
Nigeria?

Nigeria scores 56.1 out of 100 and ranks 90 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is free and fair elections. Explore the evidence and history below.

Democracys.org beta estimate, derived from V-Dem v16. A measure of political institutions and conditions—not a percentage of democracy or a judgment of people.

Printable country brief Compare this country

DEMOCRACYS SCORE

56.1out of 100Major democratic constraints

2025 rank90 of 179

10-year change−4.6

25-year change−1.6

Source-bound range49.0–64.2

Weakest areaElections

The source-bound range is an uncertainty guide, not a confidence interval for this combined score. How to read the range →

SCORE HISTORY

Nigeria, 1975–2025

The shaded area is a plain-language uncertainty guide. Treat small score differences cautiously.

About uncertainty

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

What changed on the ground?

A documented development to help interpret the institutions behind the score.

2024 context · Freedom House assessment

A court ruling strengthened local-government autonomy

The Supreme Court upheld local councils’ authority to manage their own budgets without state-government interference. This concerns where decision-making power sits and whether elected local bodies can exercise it. A ruling is an institutional step; its practical effect still depends on implementation and credible local elections.

Read the country report · Freedom in the World 2025

AI-assisted source summary · not independently expert-reviewed

What this context does—and does not—explain

This is a selected development, not a complete political history. Its date may differ from the selected comparison period. It is not evidence that one event caused a particular number of points, and it may describe progress even when this index declines.

The scores use V-Dem. The narrative summarizes a separate assessment by Freedom House, whose definitions and coverage differ. Neither organization endorses this website. The summary is AI-assisted, source-linked, and has not received independent country-expert review. Source checked October 5, 2026.

Why democracy measures can disagree →

UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE

What drove the score?

2015–2025 · the measured story

The score for Nigeria fell 4.6 points, from 60.7 to 56.1 between 2015 and 2025. 1 of the five areas improved while 4 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Rights and checks contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Rights and checks

The evidence points toward weaker civil liberties, equality before the law, or constraints on executive power.

Area score: 68.0 → 53.9
Approx. contribution to overall change: −2.8 points

Moving in the other direction

Political equality

The evidence rates the distribution of political influence, rights, and access across social groups more favorably.

Area score: 47.1 → 55.5
Approx. contribution to overall change: +1.8 points

These contributions explain the calculation—not the causes. The five area scores combine several indicators; they do not identify which individual law, election, or event changed.

When did the biggest shifts appear?

The largest year-to-year movements within this period. These are changes in annual estimates, not precise dates of political events.

2018–2019−2.2 points
The overall score fell from 59.5 to 57.3. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2020–2021−1.8 points
The overall score fell from 56.4 to 54.6. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2023–2024+1.2 points
The overall score rose from 55.4 to 56.6. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 60.7 in 2015. Small differences may fall within the source’s uncertainty.

See all five areas and how contributions are calculated

Changes in inputs versus contributions to the overall score
Area	2015	2025	Input change	Approx. contribution
Rights and checks	68.0	53.9	−14.1	−2.8
Political equality	47.1	55.5	+8.4	+1.8
Public reasoning	72.8	63.4	−9.4	−1.7
Elections	55.4	50.5	−4.9	−1.0
Participation	61.8	57.5	−4.3	−0.8

We change the five inputs from their starting to ending values in every possible order, then average each area’s effect on the formula. This distributes the formula’s interactions (a Shapley allocation). It is a mathematical attribution, not a causal estimate.

Inputs and published scores are rounded, so contributions are approximate and may not add exactly to the displayed total. No significance test is implied. Read the full scoring method →

BENEATH THE SCORE

Five dimensions of democracy

The headline score cannot show where a political system is strong or constrained. These five tests can. Each has equal weight in the beta standard.

Free and fair elections

Can people choose their leaders through broad voting rights, honest elections, free political groups, and open public debate?

50.5

Rights and checks on power

Are basic freedoms protected, laws applied fairly, courts independent, and leaders prevented from abusing power?

53.9

Public participation

Can people shape public life through civic groups, direct voting, and meaningful local and regional government?

57.5

Public reasoning

Do leaders explain decisions, consult the public, answer opposing arguments, and consider the common good?

63.4

Political equality

Do different social groups have equal rights, access, resources, and a real chance to influence political power?

55.5

HOW TO READ THIS PROFILE

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.

The score breakdown identifies which parts of the measure changed most. The country report adds documented political context. Together they help explain the institutions at stake—but they do not prove that a specific event produced a specific number of points.

Why this score differs from other democracy indices →

What a declining score can—and cannot—tell us about democratic backsliding

A recent improvement can coexist with a long-term decline. Always compare the dates, check the linked source, and consider developments the selected narrative does not cover.

ANNUAL DATA

Nigeria score table

Download Nigeria CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	56.1	49.0–64.2	50.5	53.9	57.5	63.4	55.5
2024	56.6	50.2–64.7	49.9	55.4	61.0	66.1	51.6
2023	55.4	48.0–62.6	48.4	57.5	60.9	61.6	49.3
2022	54.2	46.5–61.6	49.0	58.0	60.6	58.4	46.0
2021	54.6	47.9–62.4	48.8	61.0	60.7	56.5	46.7
2020	56.4	49.3–64.0	51.2	62.0	60.9	62.5	46.2
2019	57.3	50.4–64.9	52.0	63.5	61.9	62.6	47.4
2018	59.5	52.8–66.9	55.5	66.1	62.0	68.8	46.5
2017	60.3	53.3–67.1	55.6	66.5	62.2	71.6	47.2
2016	60.6	54.0–67.8	55.5	66.9	61.6	73.8	47.2
2015	60.7	53.7–67.6	55.4	68.0	61.8	72.8	47.1
2014	61.1	54.8–68.1	52.5	69.3	61.8	75.7	48.1
2013	60.9	54.9–68.2	52.0	68.8	62.0	75.7	48.1
2012	59.6	53.3–66.5	50.6	65.7	61.5	75.2	47.1
2011	59.6	53.5–66.3	48.1	66.1	62.1	77.3	47.1
2010	58.1	51.9–64.3	43.0	66.5	61.5	75.4	47.1
2009	56.7	50.3–63.2	41.3	64.4	61.1	74.3	45.9
2008	56.9	50.7–63.3	41.4	64.4	61.4	74.3	46.2
2007	56.5	50.2–62.9	40.8	63.5	61.0	74.3	46.1
2006	56.3	49.9–63.0	41.7	61.6	60.8	74.3	46.1
2005	56.3	50.0–62.9	41.2	62.4	60.8	74.3	46.1
2004	56.3	50.0–62.9	41.2	62.4	60.8	74.3	46.1
2003	56.7	50.2–63.3	42.8	62.4	60.8	74.3	46.1
2002	57.7	50.9–64.4	47.1	62.4	60.8	74.3	46.1
2001	57.7	50.9–64.4	47.1	62.4	60.8	74.3	46.1
2000	57.7	50.9–64.4	47.1	62.4	60.8	74.3	46.1
1999	53.3	47.3–59.9	37.6	51.5	60.8	74.3	46.1
1998	39.4	33.1–46.2	22.2	28.6	51.4	63.2	38.4
1997	28.5	21.0–34.1	20.0	26.8	50.2	14.1	38.4
1996	28.2	20.6–33.7	18.9	26.8	50.2	14.1	38.4
1995	28.3	20.5–33.6	18.9	27.0	50.2	14.1	38.4
1994	30.0	22.8–36.0	19.7	27.4	51.1	18.6	38.8
1993	33.3	25.9–40.2	22.9	41.6	50.0	18.8	38.8
1992	30.8	23.7–37.1	22.3	28.8	50.0	18.8	38.8
1991	30.1	23.2–36.3	20.4	27.6	50.0	18.8	38.8
1990	29.9	22.8–35.9	20.3	27.6	49.4	18.8	38.8
1989	27.9	20.3–33.6	19.9	27.6	49.4	18.8	28.1
1988	27.7	20.1–33.4	19.3	27.6	49.4	18.8	28.1
1987	27.7	20.1–33.4	19.3	27.6	49.4	18.8	28.1
1986	27.4	19.9–33.2	19.3	27.6	47.2	18.8	28.1
1985	26.1	18.7–31.8	18.9	27.1	47.2	14.5	28.1
1984	25.8	18.2–31.2	18.7	26.7	47.2	14.5	27.2
1983	43.4	35.6–50.7	31.1	53.7	57.8	49.4	29.2
1982	45.4	37.3–53.1	37.6	56.9	57.8	49.4	29.2
1981	45.4	37.3–53.1	37.6	56.9	57.8	49.4	29.2
1980	45.3	37.3–53.1	37.6	56.1	57.8	49.4	29.2
1979	39.1	31.8–45.9	26.2	37.2	57.8	49.4	29.1
1978	27.4	19.8–33.7	20.0	27.6	43.6	22.3	26.2
1977	24.0	16.6–29.3	19.1	27.3	43.6	10.2	26.2
1976	23.8	16.5–29.1	18.1	27.3	43.6	10.2	26.2
1975	23.7	16.3–29.0	18.0	26.8	43.6	10.2	26.2
1974	23.5	16.2–28.9	17.9	27.2	43.6	9.3	26.7
1973	23.5	16.2–28.9	17.9	27.2	43.6	9.3	26.7
1972	23.6	16.3–29.0	18.1	27.2	43.6	9.3	26.7
1971	23.0	16.0–28.4	18.1	25.1	43.0	9.3	26.4
1970	23.2	16.0–28.4	18.1	24.6	43.0	10.1	26.4
1969	23.1	16.0–28.4	18.1	24.0	43.0	10.1	26.4
1968	23.1	16.0–28.4	18.1	24.0	43.0	10.1	26.4
1967	23.2	16.5–28.7	18.1	24.0	43.0	10.5	26.4
1966	30.0	22.6–36.4	21.3	29.9	48.4	25.9	27.7
1965	38.3	31.1–45.8	23.3	53.0	50.9	41.6	27.7
1964	38.7	31.4–46.3	24.9	53.0	50.9	41.6	27.7
1963	39.6	32.1–47.1	24.9	55.0	54.2	41.6	27.7
1962	39.1	31.6–46.5	24.9	55.0	50.9	41.6	27.7
1961	39.1	31.6–46.5	24.9	55.0	50.9	41.6	27.7
1960	38.2	30.8–46.1	25.0	54.7	46.2	41.6	27.7
1958	25.9	18.0–32.3	21.1	38.6	18.4	32.0	21.9
1957	25.4	17.6–31.7	19.0	38.6	18.4	32.0	21.9
1956	25.2	17.4–31.5	18.0	38.6	18.4	32.0	21.9
1955	24.6	17.4–31.3	18.0	38.6	16.9	32.0	20.8
1954	24.5	17.3–31.2	18.4	37.8	16.9	32.0	20.8
1953	23.6	16.0–30.1	18.0	34.7	16.0	31.5	20.8
1952	22.8	15.3–29.0	14.9	34.7	16.0	30.9	20.8
1951	22.3	15.2–28.8	14.4	34.7	16.0	29.0	20.8
1950	22.2	14.9–28.6	14.4	34.7	16.0	29.0	20.1
1949	22.2	14.9–28.6	14.4	34.7	16.0	29.0	20.1
1948	22.2	14.9–28.6	14.4	34.7	16.0	29.0	20.1
1947	22.2	14.9–28.6	14.4	34.7	16.0	29.0	20.1
1946	22.0	14.8–28.5	14.2	33.6	16.0	29.0	20.1
1945	21.9	14.8–28.5	13.8	33.6	16.0	29.0	20.1
1944	21.9	14.7–28.3	14.1	33.3	16.0	29.0	20.1
1943	21.7	14.6–28.2	14.1	33.3	16.0	27.8	20.1
1942	21.7	14.4–28.0	14.1	33.3	16.0	27.7	20.1
1941	21.7	14.4–28.0	14.1	33.3	16.0	27.7	20.1
1940	21.7	14.4–28.0	14.1	33.3	16.0	27.7	20.1
1939	21.7	14.7–28.4	14.1	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1938	21.7	14.7–28.4	14.1	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1937	21.7	14.7–28.4	14.1	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1936	21.7	14.7–28.4	14.1	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1935	21.7	14.7–28.4	14.1	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1934	21.7	14.7–28.4	14.1	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1933	21.6	14.6–28.2	14.0	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1932	21.6	14.6–28.2	14.0	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1931	21.6	14.6–28.2	14.0	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1930	21.6	14.6–28.2	14.0	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1929	21.6	14.6–28.2	14.0	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1928	21.6	14.6–28.2	14.0	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1927	21.6	14.6–28.2	14.0	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1926	21.6	14.6–28.2	14.0	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1925	21.6	14.6–28.2	14.0	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1924	21.6	14.6–28.2	14.0	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1923	21.6	14.4–27.9	14.0	33.2	16.0	27.7	20.1
1922	19.3	12.5–25.2	13.3	21.0	16.0	27.7	20.1
1921	18.7	11.9–24.5	10.9	21.0	16.0	27.7	20.1
1920	18.7	11.9–24.5	10.9	21.0	16.0	27.7	20.1
1919	18.8	12.1–24.7	11.3	21.0	16.0	27.7	20.1
1918	18.8	12.1–24.6	11.4	21.0	16.0	27.7	20.1
1917	18.8	12.1–24.6	11.4	21.0	16.0	27.7	20.1
1916	18.8	12.1–24.6	11.4	21.0	16.0	27.7	20.1
1915	18.8	12.1–24.6	11.4	21.0	16.0	27.7	20.1
1914	18.8	12.1–24.6	11.4	21.0	16.0	27.7	20.1

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Nigeria Democracy Score, 1914–2025,” Democracys Standard v1.0 beta; derived from Coppedge et al. (2026), V-Dem Country-Year Dataset v16.

Open source DOI

NEARBY IN THE 2025 RANKING

#88Ukraine56.8 #89Benin56.5 #91Honduras55.6 #92Indonesia55.2

All rankings

How democratic isNigeria?

Nigeria, 1975–2025

A court ruling strengthened local-government autonomy

Rights and checks

Political equality

When did the biggest shifts appear?

Five dimensions of democracy

Free and fair elections

Rights and checks on power

Public participation

Public reasoning

Political equality

Two kinds of evidence.One clearer picture.

Nigeria score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Nigeria?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.