University Staff Perception Of Military Governance And Social Change In Nigeria 1973-1993

ABSTRACT

Progressive social change is one of the rising expectations of the people in any given society. The need to provide political, social and economic opportunities that could bring about transformation that may nurture social welfare and human-centered development is usually the main reason given by the military for their incursion into politics. To accomplish these political objectives, the military in Nigeria has intervened incessantly in national governance since 1966. Have the efforts of the military in politics been able to promote progressive social change? This research answers this question by tapping from the perceptions of the people on the quality of their lives. That is what they like and dislike about their opportunities for housing, health care services, their jobs, and so on, under military governance. The subjects of the study comprised 651 individuals: 125 from Lagos State University, 122 from University of Jos, 118 from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University. 105 from University of Nigeria Nsukka, 108 from University of Port-Harcourt and 73 from individuals that are not staff of University so as to give a comparative angle to the work. A mild controversy has emerged in recent years concerning the possible effects of military governance on social change in Third World countries.