Seminar with Dr Oluwagbenga Michael Akinlabi

From Street-Level Policing to State Legitimacy: What Nigeria Tells Us About the Global South

This presentation draws on over a decade of empirical research on policing, procedural justice, and state legitimacy in Nigeria and across the Global South to explore the meaning of the Global South and why it matters. More than a geographic designation, the “Global South” reflects a constellation of historical, political, and institutional conditions rooted in colonial legacies, socio-economic exclusion, and enduring governance challenges. My research explores how these structural forces shaped the everyday lived experiences of citizens in their interactions with the state – particularly through the practices and conduct of policing institution. Drawing on case studies from Nigeria (and other African countries), I examine how systemic issues such as police corruption, deviance, excessive use of force, and lack of accountability erode trust in public institutions. These dynamics are not merely isolated failures; they are manifestations of deeper legitimacy crises embedded in postcolonial contexts. A central focus of this work is procedural justice – the degree to which state actors exercise fairness, transparency, and respect in their engagement with the public. I highlight how procedural justice – or the lack of it – shapes compliance with the law, willingness to cooperate with the police, and broader democratic engagement. In particular, youth perspectives on legality, moral justification, and authority offer critical insights into the legitimacy crisis in many postcolonial societies. Moreover, I argue that public cynicism towards policing extends beyond local discontent. It is symptomatic of global patterns of marginalisation, structural underdevelopment, and unequal power relations. The Global South matters not only because of its demographic and geopolitical significance, but because its struggles for justice, legitimacy, and accountable governance shape broader trajectories of global peace, security, and equity. Rethinking the Global South through the prism of policing reveals the urgent need for reforms grounded in dignity, accountability, and trust.

About the speaker

Dr. Oluwagbenga Michael Akinlabi is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northumbria University, UK. He holds a PhD from Griffith University, an MPhil from Cambridge, and MSc in Clinical Psychology and Bachelor of Education in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Ibadan. A comparative sociolegal scholar, his research focuses on policing, procedural justice, legitimacy, and accountability in the Global South. He has published pioneering studies on youth perceptions of police legitimacy and “dull compulsion.” A recipient of multiple international awards, he also leads Inspire the Future Africa and serves as Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian Association Tyne and Wear.