By Kede Aihie
Nigeria’s elections are scheduled for February 2027, and the frenzy gripping the political space is frightening. The primaries across all political parties have been marred by blatant manipulation. Governance has ground to a halt nationwide. Like a recurring decimal, insecurity and kidnappings have escalated.
Amid all this, the absence of proper governance is in steep decline. Life is tough for most Nigerians. To compound the challenge, it’s only June. How sustainable is this frenzy ahead of an election that won’t take place until February, when official campaigning doesn’t kick off until October?
My advice would be to exercise caution between October 2026 and March 2027. This is unlikely to be a productive period for investors seeking to do business with the Nigerian government. That said, the private sector may capitalize by taking risks in sectors with minimal government involvement.
After the 2027 elections, whichever government takes office must shift policy toward governance over election cycles. Stakeholders should come together to find common ground. The intelligentsia and elite consensus must also step up.
