Across many democracies, including Nigeria, declining trust in public institutions is becoming a critical challenge. When citizens no longer believe that governments act in their interest, it signals a broken social contract—a disconnect between the state and the people it serves. Without trust, even the best policies struggle to gain legitimacy, and social cohesion weakens. Leaders can address this crisis by prioritizing performance legitimacy . This means focusing on tangible service delivery, ethical leadership, and transparent governance. Citizens are more likely to trust institutions that consistently meet their basic needs, enforce the law fairly, and act with integrity. Performance, in this sense, becomes the foundation of political legitimacy, replacing empty promises or symbolic gestures. Non-governmental institutions play a complementary role in rebuilding trust. By facilitating citizen–state dialogue, promoting participatory governance, and creating spaces for community enga...
John writes and publishes on a wide range of topics, including trends, worldviews, perspectives, desires, needs, wants, aspirations, choices, preferences, lifestyles, and behaviors. He also explores innovation, values, politics, religions, philosophy, and social constructions, with a particular focus on the anthropology of everyday life, culture, and social change— examining alterations in the pattern of society. In addition to writing, John directs online programs at: www.ransford.yolasite.com