ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the context and contribution of the Nigerian diaspora in the transformation of Nigeria’s public sphere is examined. Relying mainly on secondary materials, the chapter contends that Nigeria’s public sphere has taken a transnational turn. The “public sphere,” as articulated by Jürgen Habermas, has inspired critical debates on democratic theory in the social and political sciences since it was proposed in 1962. Although Habermas’ vision of an ideal deliberative social space was criticized on many fronts, its relevance continues to endure. Several factors may account for this, ranging from the theoretical depth of the idea itself to its multidisciplinary applicability. In the context of this chapter, however, the value of the public sphere as a social and political idea lies in its recognition of civil society as a core constituent element of practicing democracies.
