Nigerians favour China over U.S. in global survey

More Nigerians now express a preference for China over the United States, a striking shift in public sentiment revealed by the 2025 Democracy Perception Index (DPI), a global survey covering over 100 countries. The U.S., once overwhelmingly favoured by Nigerians, is seeing its popularity wane, even as China’s image continues to rise.

At the same time, Nigerians are among the most dissatisfied citizens globally when it comes to democracy and governance, according to the DPI.

The index shows Nigeria ranks near the bottom in three key indicators: overall perception of democracy, democratic performance in Sub-Saharan Africa, and belief in separation of powers. With an overall score of just 2.49 out of 5 for the first two, Nigeria falls within the lowest four countries globally, an expression of deep public dissatisfaction with the state of the nation’s democracy.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, Senegal, Namibia, Ghana, Zambia, and Kenya lead with modestly positive ratings, while Nigeria joins Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Cameroon at the bottom.

Respondents assessed how well their governments uphold principles such as free speech, rule of law, government transparency, and peaceful transitions of power.

Confidence in the independence of institutions is also low. Nigerians rank among the most doubtful globally when asked whether courts can hold governments accountable, placing the country alongside Ukraine and Zimbabwe at the lowest tier for separation of powers.

“Every year, this poll confirms the same point: around the world people believe in democracy, but those fortunate to live in democracies are impatient for their governments to deliver,” said Anders Rasmussen, former NATO chief, former Danish prime minister and founder of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation that coauthored the index.

Global Shift

The survey reveals intriguing shifts in global perceptions. While Nigeria still holds a net positive view of the United States, more Nigerians now express a preference for China when asked to compare both global powers. The U.S. has historically enjoyed strong favourability in Nigeria, but the latest data suggest waning popularity.

This aligns with global trends. Out of 96 countries surveyed, 76 rated China more positively than the U.S., including several African, Middle Eastern, and Latin American nations. Still, Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the few regions where the U.S. retains an overall positive image, even if China is gaining ground.

Trump’s return to the White House appears to have contributed to America’s declining global reputation. In Europe and the Middle East, the U.S. is now viewed more negatively than positively. Nigeria, while still relatively pro-U.S., reflects the broader shift in sentiment.

Rasmusssen said he was “not surprised that perceptions of the United States have fallen so sharply.”

“I’m not surprised that perceptions of the United States have fallen so sharply, although I find it reassuring that support for the rules-based international order remains strong around the world,” he said.