Social institutions and the consolidation of democracy

African countries adopted Western-style democracy and its institutions, neglecting the need to support democratic governance through the adoption of essential social norms and moral values, which are necessary for creating a democratic culture and a conducive environment for democracy to survive and thrive. The study draws examples from Nigeria and argues that the success of democracy requires more than political or democratic institutions; it also requires, more importantly, the cultivation of attitudes of mind and social behaviours to secure development as dividends of democracy. To facilitate this, social institutions, especially the family, educational institutions, religious organisations and voluntary associations, can be made instrumental in instilling social norms and moral values. These institutions can be employed to inculcate in individuals the right moral dispositions, attitudes, habits and values, thereby shaping the character of the populace in African states and improving the quality of citizens' democracies on the continent. The study, which is steeped in social capital theory, is qualitative in nature. It is undertaken through critical analysis of texts, as well as library and archival materials on the subject of discourse. The method is also reflective in nature, meditating on some historical events in Nigeria, with the aim of drawing out vital lessons that have implications for the consolidation of democracy in Africa.