Nigeria is the fourth world largest democracy with a population of over 160 million and world sixth largest oil supplier and blessed with economic potentials, but majority of the Nigerian population is poor due bad governance. Everyone expected the return of Nigeria to democratic rule will bring about development. On the contrary Nigeria is still left behind in this sphere of human development. The paper is basically qualitative approach to analyze the relationship between democracy and development in the Nigerian context, concentrating on the fourth republic. Relying on poverty reduction, employment generation, effective healthcare delivery, revenue and expenditure, Gross Domestic Products (GDP), foreign exchange rate, Good governance and Human Rights Development Index (HDI). The paper argued that, though Nigeria experienced fourteen years of uninterrupted democratic rule, available evidence revealed that, there is no clear direct relationship between democracy and development in the Nigerian context, in essence the first fourteen years of democratic dispensation in the country has in no way improved remarkable development. The paper recommended strict adherence to the principles of democracy and good governance.

Nigeria is the fourth world largest democracy with a population of over 160 million and world sixth largest oil supplier and blessed with economic potentials, but majority of the Nigerian population is poor due bad governance. Everyone expected the return of Nigeria to democratic rule will bring ...