LEGACIES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN THE EMPIRE OF SONGHAI (1375-1591): LESSONS FOR THE CONTEMPORARY NIGERIAN STATE

Abstract

Nigeria is today, no doubt, bedevilled by many
problems. Its social, political and economic
affairs are all in serious crises and even
threatening the very foundation of the state
itself. Corruption is rampant as never before,
banditry and kidnappings have gone to the wire,
educational pursuit is at its kneels, election
rigging and malpractices are like never before.
In fact one can rightly say that nothing works in
the country. This paper went down the lane of history for solutions and found the case of
Songhai Empire. Sourcing and examining
documents from books and journals, it
discovered the zeal and commitment of the
empire's founders and the strategies, plans and
policies in economy, good governance, peaceful
coexistence, creation of vibrant and effective
military and reforms in educational system in
building a prosperous and vibrant society. The
paper at the end posited that Nigeria, as
bedeviled with many problems, as it is
presently, could take advantage of careful
understudy of the ancient Empire of Songhai
and learn how it reached its development firmly
within a century.