Ethnicity And Development In Nigeria

Part of the Research in Ethnic Relations series, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the ethnicity and development in 20th-century Nigeria.

An introduction to the politics and society of post-colonial Nigeria, highlighting the key themes of ethnicity, democracy, and development.

This book describes Nigeria's past and present political, social, and economic history as it relates to tribalism, colonialism, lack of political leadership and other dysfunctional behavior in society preventing Nigeria's democracy. It presents vital proposals for future Nigerian democracy and economic prosperity. The book advocates a two-party federalism, tribal nationalism and economic prosperity based on a participatory instead of rotational presidency. The study recommends an economic diversification in Nigeria's revenue sharing, tax systems, domestic economy and agriculture instead of the dependence on oil revenues. Lastly, the book defines the role of the military in the future of Nigeria's democracy.

Research Paper (postgraduate) from the year 2012 in the subject African Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, grade: none, , course: International Studies and Diplomacy, language: English, abstract: Observably, most developing countries are ethnically diverse. Ethnic diversity may lead to increased civil dissonance. The National Question in Nigeria is probably one of the most complicated in the world with her over 250 ethnic groups and 120 different languages spoken in the country. The colonialist while pretending to carry out a mission of uniting the warring ethnic groups, wilfully and systematically separated the various Nigerian people thereby creating a suitable atmosphere for conflict. With the heterogeneous nature of the country, the tendency of the various nationals is towards parochial consciousness at the expense of national consciousness. This paper, therefore, relies on content analysis as its methodology to examine ethnic conflicts in Nigeria. It also examined the fundamental causes of ethnic conflicts in the country and identifies the possible issues for resolution. The paper also proffered suggestions on how to curb ethnic conflicts in future Nigeria.

This book is more than just a study of ethnic politics in Kenya and Nigeria. The two countries are a microcosm of the entire continent: the problems it faces, its successes and failures, and the hope and despair of hundreds of millions of its people whose aspirations have been frustrated by decades of corrupt leadership that has skilfully exploited one of Africa's biggest weaknesses -- tribalism. But the people themselves are also responsible for that. They have allowed tribalism to flourish and destroy the countries. And they have allowed unscrupulous politicians to use and abuse them -- without storming the Bastille. What they are not responsible for is dictatorship African leaders instituted to perpetuate themselves in office by exploiting tribalism. These despots have been so good at it, and have done it for so long since independence, that many African countries are now on the brink of collapse, with the people at war against themselves.