Ethnicity And National Integration In Nigeria

After forty years of independence. African countries are still battling with the problem of nation building. This thesis examines the possibility of the military playing a direct role in ethnic integration. The variables, which may determine the military's ability to affect national integration, are the political elite, the state and society. It is found that at lower levels of development, these variables do not support the military in the direction of national integration but they do so at higher levels of development. The issue that arises from this finding is whether African countries should wait for development to occur in the hope that it will bring national integration with it. On the other hand, lack of integration causes mistrust. tensions and conflicts, which weaken the thrust to development. African countries should therefore find methods of political organization that reduce such tensions and conflicts in order to facilitate development and consequently national integration. It is this need for stability that the culturally adaptive mode of political organization is recommended for African countries.

Monograph on nationalism in Africa south of Sahara - contains 16 contributions discussing ethnic factors, government policies and politics, economic planning and education in relation to national level integration, language problems, cultural factors and mass media of selected States. Map, references and statistical tables.

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.