ETHNIC NATIONALITIES AND THE CHALLENGES OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION

AN ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF NIGERIAN STATE

Abstract

This study examines the stance of various ethnic nationalities in Nigeria given the concept, belief or commitment to having a nation or country where justice, fairness and equity would prevail. Since Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule, scholars and analysts never relented in proffering solutions/ideas through which the country shall achieve development, progress and unity among the distinct tribes that make-up the Nigerian political entity. Yet, these contributions so far proffered, failed to realize the expected objectives. They have equally fallen short of rekindling the hope of the people in promoting and strengthening the concept of nationhood already identified as the bane of Nigerian socio-cultural and political secularization. We adopt the Post-Colonial State theoretical framework as analytical tool in interrogating the issues aforementioned with a view to exploring the consequences of the lopsided Nigerian political structure, which is believed to be at roots of endless pursuit of ethnic objectives, contrary to the notion of unity in diversity. We also employed qualitative descriptive data in projecting our analysis. We subscribe, inter alia, that tangible efforts should be directed at building a nation within the context of regionalism rooted in its revenue derivative fiscal base. The study states some proposals in its recommendation as antidote to the Nigerian current misadventure.