83% of Nigerians Say They’ve Lost Trust in Tinubu’s Govt, NASS, Judiciary — API Survey

A large majority of Nigerians have expressed deep distrust in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to the 2025 Social Cohesion Survey conducted by the Africa Polling Institute (API).

The survey reveals that 83% of Nigerians report having little or no trust in the federal government, highlighting a sharp decline in public confidence amid growing concerns over economic hardship, insecurity, and governance failures.

 

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TJ News Nigeria reports that the findings were based on 5,465 face-to-face household interviews conducted across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones using a stratified random sampling technique. The interviews targeted citizens aged 15 and above, ensuring a representative sample of the country’s diverse demographics.

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Key Findings from the 2025 Social Cohesion Survey

According to the Africa Polling Institute, the nationwide poll was designed to gauge Nigerians’ attitudes on critical indicators of social cohesion such as trust in government, perceived equity and inclusion, identity, and overall satisfaction with public institutions.

Highlights of the report include:

• 83% of respondents said they had little or no trust in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
• Only 17% of respondents expressed moderate or strong trust in the federal government.
• Trust in other national institutions—such as the police, judiciary, and legislature—also remained below 30%.
• Many citizens cited economic hardship, insecurity, and poor governance as reasons for their distrust.
• Over 72% said they felt marginalised or excluded from national decision-making processes.
• In the northern regions, trust in government was marginally higher than in the southern regions, but still generally low across board.

Dr. Bell Ihua, Executive Director of API, described the result as a “critical red flag” for the sustainability of democratic governance in Nigeria. “The social contract is clearly under stress. Nigerians no longer feel represented, heard, or protected,” he stated during a press briefing in Abuja.

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Why Nigerians Distrust the Tinubu Government

TJ News Nigeria learnt that the growing public distrust is tied closely to a number of persistent national challenges that have escalated under the current administration.

1. Rising Cost of Living

Since the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023, Nigeria has witnessed severe inflation, with the prices of food, transportation, and basic goods skyrocketing. Despite efforts to introduce palliatives and temporary relief measures, most Nigerians say the economic burden remains unbearable.

2. Unemployment and Poverty

The unemployment rate continues to hover around 33%, according to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), while over 133 million Nigerians are classified as multidimensionally poor.

For many, campaign promises to revive the economy and create jobs have failed to materialize, leading to deep disappointment in the current leadership.

3. Worsening Security Crisis

Insecurity remains a major source of concern. Reports of banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes, and attacks by non-state actors persist in states across the federation. Although the federal government has pledged to enhance internal security, most citizens feel unsafe and unprotected.

4. Perceived Nepotism and Inequality

Many Nigerians believe that appointments and public benefits are unevenly distributed, favouring certain ethnic or political groups. The perception of inequality contributes to rising distrust and alienation, especially among young people and minority communities.

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Trust in Other Institutions Also Declining

The API report notes that beyond the presidency, trust in other state institutions is also at alarming lows:

• Nigeria Police Force: 75% of respondents expressed little or no trust in the police.
• National Assembly: 69% said they lacked confidence in legislators.
• Judiciary: 63% said they do not trust court decisions to be fair or impartial.
• INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission): Trust remains low, especially following allegations of electoral irregularities in the 2023 general elections.

TJ News Nigeria gathered that even traditional and religious institutions—once seen as moral anchors—are increasingly viewed with suspicion by a large section of the populace.

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Regional Differences in Trust Levels

Although the distrust cuts across the entire country, regional disparities were observed:

• South-East & South-South: Recorded the lowest trust levels in the federal government (over 88% of respondents distrusting the administration).
• North-Central & North-East: Showed slightly higher trust, though still largely negative, with over 75% expressing low confidence.
• South-West: Despite being President Tinubu’s home region, only 27% of respondents said they trusted the federal government.

This trend underscores a growing disillusionment that transcends regional or ethnic loyalty.

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Recommendations by API

In its final report, the Africa Polling Institute recommended urgent actions to rebuild trust and promote national unity. These include:

1. Inclusive Governance: Ensuring equitable representation of all ethnic and regional groups in appointments and policymaking.
2. Transparent Communication: Providing regular, truthful updates to the public on policies, budgets, and national priorities.
3. Tackling Corruption: Revamping anti-corruption agencies and removing political interference in investigations.
4. Improving Service Delivery: Strengthening education, healthcare, and infrastructure across all levels.
5. Security Sector Reform: Enhancing the professionalism and accountability of the police and military.

API urged the federal government to treat the loss of public trust as a “national emergency” that threatens democratic stability and socio-political cohesion.

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Public Reactions

Social media platforms were flooded with reactions following the release of the API report. Many Nigerians echoed the survey’s findings, citing personal experiences of hardship and disenfranchisement.

A Lagos-based teacher, Mrs. Aminat Yusuf, told TJ News Nigeria: “We no longer believe in government promises. Every day it’s just harder to survive.”

Another respondent in Kaduna, Mallam Bawa Usman, said: “Even in the North where Tinubu got some support, people are tired. There’s no security or food. What are we trusting them for?”

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Government Yet to Respond

As of press time, the Presidency has not issued an official response to the damning findings. However, sources in the All Progressives Congress (APC) indicated that the government may soon release a statement addressing the concerns raised.

Political analysts believe that acknowledging the loss of public trust could be a first step toward initiating needed reforms.

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What you should know

The 2025 Social Cohesion Survey paints a troubling picture of a country in democratic distress. With over 8 in 10 Nigerians expressing a lack of confidence in the federal government, the challenge before the Tinubu administration is not only economic—it is also existential.

Without urgent efforts to rebuild legitimacy, accountability, and citizen engagement, the gulf between the government and the governed may widen further.

“A nation cannot survive when its people lose faith in those who lead them,” Dr. Ihua warned, urging swift action to reverse the trend.