Can Democracy Survive Without Trust? Political Alienation and Democratic Resilence in Nigeria: An Empirical Study

Abstract Democracy depends not only on elections but also on the confidence citizens have in the institutions that govern them. In Nigeria, declining trust in public institutions has raised important questions about the country's democratic future. This study examined the effect of political alienation on democratic resilience in Nigeria, drawing on Institutional Trust Theory to explain how trust shapes citizens' commitment to democratic governance. The study adopted a quantitative survey design and collected data from eligible voters across selected states in Nigeria. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that political alienation significantly reduced citizens' trust in democratic institutions, weakened civic participation, and lowered confidence in the democratic process. The study also found that transparent leadership, accountable institutions, and meaningful citizen engagement strengthened democratic resilience by restoring public trust. The study concludes that democracy is more likely to endure when public institutions earn and sustain citizens' confidence. It recommends institutional reforms that promote transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, and responsive governance as practical steps towards strengthening democratic resilience in Nigeria.   Keywords: democracy, institutional trust, political alienation, democratic resilience, Nigeria.