Niger Delta Journal of Philosophy & African Values
A peer-reviewed academic journal of philosophical discourse and African Values.
Latest Issue: Vol. 1, No. 2 (2026)
Table of Contents
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Application of John Locke’s Social Contract Theory to Democratic Governance in Nigeria
Apere Godbless Arepamo; Ebikisei Stanley Udisi
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Decolonising Relational Knowing: African Feminist Epistemology and the Reclamation of Women's Knowledge
Uchenna Nympha Nkama
Niger Delta Journal of Philosophy & African Values
The latest issue of our journal featuring cutting-edge research in philosophy and African Values.
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Application of John Locke’s Social Contract Theory to Democratic Governance in Nigeria
Apere Godbless Arepamo; Ebikisei Stanley Udisi
The paper explores John Locke's social contract theory, engaging with philosophy to analyse his political theory and Nigeria's democratic governance within Nigeria’s social contract. Drawing on Locke's Two Treatises of Government (1689), A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689), and An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689), the research highlights natural rights, consent of the governed, constitutionalism, the right of government, limited government, and the right of revolution in the context of Nigeria’s polity. The research adopts a qualitative philosophical methodology based on conceptual, textual, and critical analyses of primary and secondary texts, including Locke. The paper submits that Nigeria’s constitutional democracy is Lockean in that it provides for fundamental rights, institutions of representative democracy, and separation of powers. However, democracy in Nigeria has largely reversed these theoretical democratic principles. Electoral misconduct, institutional corruption, elite domination, weak and ineffective accountability frameworks, and inadequate civic engagement have been significant impediments to the social contract between the Nigerian state and citizens. In addition, the paper submits that this is, to a great extent, a philosophical problem of applying Lockean liberalism in post-colonial African states, as it attempts to argue for the absoluteness of Western democracy on the African continent. This gap is addressed in the research by African political philosophy, in particular Ubuntu ethics, consensus democracy, and African progressive systems of governance, among others, as presented by philosophers like Kwasi Wiredu, Mogobe Ramose, and Kwame Gyekye. The paper submits that, for Nigeria, the critical thinking of democracy and Lockean liberalism cannot be the only and all sides to the conundrum, but African notions of democracy and citizenship must be taken on board as well. This study argues that Locke’s social contract theory is still relevant to the practice of democratic governance in Nigeria. This is because it provides a framework within which one can assess the validity of democracy, responsiveness, and the rule of law within a democracy. That said, one must critically tailor the theory to the history, culture, and post-colonial situations of Nigeria.
Decolonising Relational Knowing: African Feminist Epistemology and the Reclamation of Women's Knowledge
Uchenna Nympha Nkama
African feminist epistemology emerges as a decolonial response to the historical marginalisation of women's knowledge on the continent. Colonial legacies and Western epistemological traditions, centred on the autonomous, abstract subject, have systematically erased indigenous knowledge systems and imposed individualistic frameworks that distort African women's relational ontologies. Through philosophical hermeneutics and conceptual analysis of African feminist and decolonial scholarship, the paper investigates how relational knowing can be reclaimed as a decolonial epistemological alternative. This article argues that knowledge in African contexts is fundamentally situated, relational, and ethically accountable. It is produced through communal ethics, dialogical identities, and lived experiences rather than detached certainty or universal reason. African feminist epistemology resists essentialism and standpoint homogenisation while reclaiming marginalised voices through plurality, testimonial justice, and the integration of indigenous practices such as griot storytelling and oral traditions. The article contributes to African epistemology and demonstrates that relational knowing empowers African women and advances a more inclusive, decolonised model of knowledge production that integrates diverse perspectives, ethical responsibility, and collaborative inquiry into broader epistemological discourse.
An Examination of the Consequences of Corporate Begging (fine-bara) in Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Khadija Ibrahim
Corporate begging, commonly known as \textit{fine-bara}, is a socio-economic phenomenon that carries significant consequences for individuals and the wider community in the Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone. This study employs a mixed-method approach, utilising quantitative data gathered via questionnaires administered to 537 respondents and qualitative insights obtained through in-depth interviews (IDIs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and case studies. Grounded in Anomie-Strain theory, Differential Association theory, and the Broken Window theory, the study investigates the consequences of corporate begging within the region. Findings reveal that corporate begging produces both positive and negative consequences, with the negative consequences far outweighing the positive ones. Insecurity emerges as the most prominent negative consequence, as corporate beggars have been linked to criminal activities including kidnapping, theft, and sexual harassment. Environmental nuisance, overdependence, poverty, and accidents also constitute notable negative outcomes. On the positive side, respondents acknowledged that corporate begging fulfils religious obligations for givers, potentially reduces criminal tendencies among beggars, and provides intelligence information to security operatives. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted policy interventions to combat corporate begging in the Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone, as no established policies currently exist to address the phenomenon effectively.
The Revival of the Anyama Fishing Festival: Socio-Economic and Philosophical Implications for Community Development
Agala I. Danola
The Anyama community fishing festival, rooted in the traditional cultural practices of the Ogbia Ijaw people, has historically served as a vital focal point for communal identity, economic exchange, and social cohesion. This study examines the implications of revitalizing the festival for contemporary socio-economic development within the Anyama community and its environs, while foregrounding the philosophical dimensions of African communitarian values, indigenous epistemology, and Ijaw ontology that underpin the festival’s cultural significance. Adopting a historical descriptive research design, the study draws on primary oral interview data collected from ten purposively selected informants in March 2026, and on secondary sources including academic journals, institutional reports, and UNESCO frameworks. The study is exploratory-descriptive in intent, providing the first dedicated peer-reviewed account of the Anyama festival while laying the groundwork for future quantitative and longitudinal research. It argues that reviving the once-abandoned fishing festival holds significant potential for stimulating local economic growth through the promotion of trade, job creation, and small-scale entrepreneurship. It further highlights the festival’s capacity to enhance cultural tourism, attract visitors, and generate revenue, while reinforcing indigenous knowledge systems and preserving cultural heritage as a form of African knowledge production. Additionally, the festival serves as a platform for strengthening social capital, fostering communal unity, and encouraging active participation among community members, consistent with African communitarian philosophical principles. However, the study identifies key factors responsible for the decline of the festival, including the growing influence of Christianity, rural-urban migration among youths, weakened traditional institutions, and governance challenges including a disputed private claim over the communally owned sacred lakes. To address these issues, the study recommends collaborative efforts between community leaders and government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, to establish supportive policies and legal frameworks. The significance of the study lies in its contribution to cultural preservation discourse, its engagement with African philosophy of values and knowledge, and its practical insights for sustainable community development.
Analyzing Spirit Forms in Obi Ekwenchi’s “From the Spirit World” and “Rhythm (From the Spirit World)” Paintings
Zeekeyi Denison Yibowei; Anthony Ebikabowei Polo
Metaphysical auras, or spirit forms, have been a recurring theme in art and culture for centuries, with diverse interpretations across the African continent. Ekwenchi's paintings exemplify a profound understanding of this ancient discipline, reflecting either a deliberate revival or a continuum of knowledge that persists beyond the disruptions of Western influence. Rooted in antediluvian practice, the portrayal of spirit forms in African visual traditions encapsulates a cosmological worldview that predates and, in many respects, transcends the epistemological frameworks imposed by Western canons. This study presents a comprehensive survey of existing arguments on metaphysical auras, highlighting their enduring significance in art, culture, and spiritual expression. The discussion critically examines the extent to which Western aesthetic traditions have reshaped or paradoxically reinvigorated indigenous practices. The findings will be valuable for future studies and pedagogical learning, offering nuanced insights into the intersection of art, culture, and spirituality within the Nigerian and broader African context, ultimately affirming the resilience and continued relevance of metaphysical thought in African artistic practice.
Aims & Scope
The Niger Delta Journal of Philosophy & African Values is a peer-reviewed academic publication dedicated to promoting scholarly discourse on philosophical issues and African Values, with particular emphasis on the African experience. The journal welcomes contributions that explore the intersection of philosophy, culture, and development in Africa.
Multidisciplinary
Welcoming diverse philosophical perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches
African Focus
Emphasising African philosophical traditions and contemporary issues
Peer-Reviewed
Rigorous double-blind peer review process