The use of political propaganda and its impact on the political development of the African continent; A case study of the political development of Northern Nigeria

This thesis explores how political propaganda influences political development in Africa, focusing on Northern Nigeria. Grounded in postcolonial, dependency, democratic, and political communication theories, the study critiques the imposition of liberal democracy as a universal model, arguing that propaganda perpetuates ideological dependency while undermining indigenous governance systems. Employing a mixed-methods design combining surveys, interviews, focus groups, and content analysis, the research assesses how propaganda shapes political perceptions, legitimizes elite control, and marginalizes culturally rooted institutions. Findings reveal significant disillusionment with Western-style democracy, with 87% of respondents favoring hybrid models that blend traditional and democratic structures. Quantitative results show a strong negative correlation between propaganda exposure and trust in democratic institutions, while qualitative data underscore the enduring influence of colonial narratives. The thesis concludes that Africa's political underdevelopment stems less from the absence of democracy and more from sustained ideological suppression of indigenous alternatives. It calls for a decolonized approach to governance that embraces hybrid systems, indigenous epistemologies, and context-specific democratic practices as pathways to sustainable political development.