The rule of law in a developing nation: limitations, alternative models, and the challenges of application in Nigeria

Abstract

A ‘rule of law’-based society is only one of the models of justice and social control that Nigeria and other developing countries might consider. The rule of law by itself cannot provide broad-based, effective, and efficient social control. The contributions of other models are critical for a true rule of law process, especially for a developing country where kinship is important and the customary, traditional, religious, and related institutions remain particularly strong and influential on the population. Thus, an unconventional interpretation of the ‘rule of law’ from a cultural perspective is imperative.