Nigeria on the Right Road

As dictators in Africa continue to lose power, Nigeria--the continent’s most populous nation--is making a well-planned and fairly peaceful transition from military rule to democratic government.

President Ibrahim Babangida, a general, is orchestrating the return to full civilian rule. The changeover to democracy is promised by the end of this year.

In a step toward that realistic goal, 30 newly elected state governors recently replaced military officers.

Babangida’s master plan is attracting widespread attention in Africa. Nigeria--with a population of about 120 million and still growing and with an area as big as California, Nevada and Arizona combined--is a regional powerhouse. Nigerians, for example, dominate the Economic Community of West African States.

Nigeria’s substantial oil resources also attract international attention. Oil production and exports are expected this year to generate $7.36 billion in foreign exchange.

However, those revenues will be depleted by debt accumulated during decades of excessive borrowing, lavish spending and legendary corruption.

Babangida, unlike some other military leaders in modern African history, is determined not to leave a legacy of crippling economic woes to the new democratic leadership.

He is continuing a national austerity program that rules out most new international borrowing. He is also significantly reducing the number of ministers in the Cabinet and cutting down on other forms of government spending.

Babangida wants to protect the new democracy from a resurgence of regional and ethnic divisions that have led to coups, assassinations and a civil war. To reduce the impact of deep-seated rivalries, only two official political parties are allowed to compete in elections.

Military rulers rarely give up power peacefully. But in Nigeria Babangida seems determined to try.