To Be and How Not To Be: The Challenges Of Nation-Building in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24269/ars.v7i2.1575Abstract
The work is the analysis of both the various nation-building challenges that have confronted Nigeria since independence and the possible ways the country can overcome them. The dream of Nigeria since independence in 1960 is to turn itself into a viable and cohesive nation. This has become an impossible dream however due to a myriad of challenges. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic society with over 250 ethnic groups. Each of these ethnic groups also have religious and economic issues that separates them from one another. Nigeria’s diversity has been a major obstacle in its drive to become a global and responsible player in the international community. By using the qualitative research methodology, the work identified various challenges, such as corruption, autarky, governance and distribution that have been the major barriers to the creation of a viable polity. The style used in the study is also historical, descriptive and analytical. Crucially, the study also used the concept of nation-building as its Theoretical Framework. This has made it possible for the work to highlight and posit specific pragmatic and logical ways Nigeria can overcome its nation-building challenges and emerge a viable, cohesive and functional polity in the 21st century.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Adetoro, A.R. (2000). Issues in social studies and problems of nation-building in Nigeria. Lagos: Goad Educational Publishers.
Akinwunmi, E.O. (2002). Crowther Samuel Ajayi, 1810 to 1891. Dictionary of African and Christian Bibliography. Accessed on December 2, 2018 from www.dacb.org/stories/nigeria/crowther4_samajayi.html
Akpomuvie, O.B., & Forae, F.O. (2005). Ethnic communal conflicts in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Political Science, 10(1&2), January-December, 144-146
Almond, G.A., Powell, B.G., Storm, K., & Dalton, R.J. (2014). Comparative politics today, 11th ed. New York: Pearson.
Anderson, B. (2016). Imagined communities: reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism, Rev. ed. London: Verso.
Appadorai, A. (2001). The substance of politics (Rev. ed.). India: Oxford University Press.
Arowolo, D. (2011). Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Theory and dimension. Afro Asian Journal of Social Sciences, 2(22), 3
Audu, M.S. (2008). Emerging issues in the culture of corruption in Nigeria: Implications for national development. Saliu, H.A., Jimoh, H.I., Yusuf, N., & E.O. Ofo, Perspectives on nation-building and development. Lagos: Concept Publications Limited.
Bello-Imam, I.B. (2005). The war against corruption in Nigeria: Problems and prospects. Ibadan: College Press and publisher Limited, 2005.
Chidume, C.G., Chukwu, G.A., Ukaegbu, N.M., & Agudiegwu, M.O. (2014). Centenary celebration of Nigeria and challenges of nation-building. European Journal of Research and Reflection in Arts and Humanities, 2(2). Accessed on July 18, 2018 from https://www.idpublications.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/CENTENARY-CELEBRATION-OF-NIGERIA-AND-CHALLENGES-OF-NATION-BUILDING.pdf.
Campbell, J. (2011). Nigeria: dancing on the brink. New York: Rowman & Little Publishers, Inc.
Canovan, M. (1998.) Nationhood and political theory. Cheltenham, Northampton: Edward Elgar.
Coleman, J.S. (1986). Nigeria: background to nationalism. Benin City: Broburg & Winstrom.
Danziger, J.N & Smith, C.A. (2015). Understanding the political world: a comparative introduction to political science, 12th ed. Pearson: Longman.
Deutsch, K.W. (1966). Nationalism and social communication: an inquiry into the foundation of nationality, 2nd ed. Massachusetts: MIT Press.
Diamond, L. (2008). The rule of law versus the big man. Journal of Democracy, 19(2), 138-149. Accessed on April 10, 2018 from https://muse.jhu.edu/article/235509
Dike, V.E. (2010). Review of the challenges facing the Nigerian economy: Is national development possible without technological capability? Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 12(5), 96-104
Egwu, S. (2011). Ethno-religious conflicts and national security in Nigeria: Illusions from the Middle Belt. S. Adejumobi (Ed.), State, economy and society in post-military Nigeria. New York; Palgrave Macmillan.
Elaigwu, J.I. (2012). Nigeria: Essays in governance and society. Jos: Adonis & Abbey Publishers Limited.
Elaigwu, J.I. (2004). The challenges of nation-building in the twenty-first century: the Nigerian experience. Calabar: University of Calabar.
Elaigwu, J.I. (1985). Nationbuilding and political development in Nigeria: The challenge of unity in a heterogeneous society. Atanda, J. A. & A.Y. Aliyu, Proceedings of the national conference on Nigeria since independence, Vol. I. Zaira: Gaskiya Corporation Limited.
Falode, A. (2011). The Nigerian civil war, 1967-1970: a revolution?. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations (AJPSIR), 5(3), 120-124. Accessed on February 15, 2018 from www.academicjournals.org/journal/AJPSIR/article-abstract-/E70BD3B40546
Friedrich, C.J. (2010). Nation-building. Deutsch, K., & W. Foltz, Nationbuilding in comparative contexts. London: Aldine Transaction
Galadima, H. S. (1998). Militarism and governance in Nigeria. Governance: A journal of the institute of governance and social research, 1(1), 116-117
Gellner, E. 2006. Nations and nationalism, 2nd ed. New York: Cornell University Press
Hechter, M. (1985). Internal colonialism revisited. Tiryakian, E.A. & R. Rogowski, New nationalisms of the developed west, London: Allen and Unwin.
Igbuzor, O. (2008). Strategies for winning the anti-corruption war in Nigeria. ActionAid Nigeria Briefing, 2, 6. Accessed on September 10, 2018 from http://www.actionaid.org/sites/files/actionaid/winning_anti-corruption_war_in_nigeria1.pdf
Harris, P.B. 1986. Foundation of political science. London: Harper Collins Publishers Ltd.
Hippler, J. 2005. Nation building: a key concept for peaceful conflict transformation. London: Pluto Press, 2005
Hyden, G. & Brathon, M. (1991). Governance and politics in Africa. London: Lynne Rienne Publishers
Ifamose, F.O. (2004). Governance in a persuaded society: A critique of the anti-corruption of the 4th republic. Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria (JHSN), 1(1), 82-93
Janda, K., Berry, M. J., Goldman, J., Schildkraut, D. J., & Manna, P. (2018). The challenge of democracy: American government in global politics 14th ed. Boston: Cengage Learning.
Kellas, J.G. (1998). The politics of nationalism and ethnicity, 2nd ed. London: Macmillan.
Kesner-Skreb, M. (2009). Fiscal federalism: Financial theory and practice. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 33(2), 235-237. Accessed on March 12, 2018 from http://www.fintp.hr/upload/files/ftp/2009/2/skreb.pdf
Michael, B. (2006). Philosophical and ideological perspectives on the problem of development in Nigeria in the 21st century. Journal of Social and Contemporary Issues (JSCI), 2(1&1), 55
Meturama, D.M. (2010). Democracy and the challenge of ethno-nationalism in Nigeria’s fourth republic: Interrogating institutional mechanism. Journal of Peace, Conflict and Development, 15. Accessed on January 19, 2018 from http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/10269/1/Democracy_and_the_Challenge_.pdf
Muhammad, A. R. A. 2007. Federalism and political stability in Nigeria: current peril and future hopes. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 9(4), 188.
Nation building and social integration theory, chapter 2, 1. Accessed January 14, 2018 from http://folk.uio.no/palk/ch02.htm
Nwagbara, U. (2010). The Nigerian press, the public sphere and sustainable development: engaging the post amnesty deal in the Niger Delta. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 12(3), 13. Accessed on March 10, 2018 from http://www.academia.edu/1478816/The_Nigerian_press_the_public_sphere_and_sustainable_development_Engaging_the_post_amnesty_deal_in_the_Niger_delta
Nye, J.S. (1967). Corruption and political development: A cost-benefit analysis. American Political Science Review, 61(2). Accessed on June 12, 2018 from https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/corruption-and-political-development-a-cost-benefit-analysis/D5E8F481DE22E6F77FCCB924D502BB9F
Oates, W. E. (1999). An essay on fiscal federalism. America: Journal of Economic Literature, 37(3), 120-149. Accessed on February 17, 2018 from http://econweb.umd.edu/~oates/research../FiscalFederalism.pdf
Odofin, A.P. (2005). Federalism and governance in Nigeria: The crisis of transformation and the challenges of nation-building. Nigerian Journal of Political Science, 10(1&2), 14-15.
Odoko, O.F. & Nnanna, O.J. n. a. Fiscal federalism: Fiscal discipline and service delivery in Nigeria. Accessed on May 15, 2018 from http://www.case.ox. ac.uk/books/ epopnlfiscalfederalism.pdf,
Olling, R.D. & Westmacott, W. (1988). Perspectives on Canadian federalism. Canada: Prentice Hall, 1988
Olowonini, G. D. (1999). Federalism and vertical intergovernmental financial imbalance in Nigeria. B. Aigbokhan, Fiscal federalism and Nigeria’s economic development. Ibadan: Secre Publishing
Oritsejafor, O.E. (2000). Development in Nigeria: A political and economic challenge. Accessed on March 14, 2018 from http://www.jsd africa.com/Jsda/fallwinter2000/articlespdf/ARC Development%20in%20Nigeria.pdf
Osaghae, E.E. & Suberu, T.R. (2005). A history of identities, violence and stability in Nigeria. Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity (CRISE), CRISE Working Paper, 6, 11. Accessed on August 12, 2018 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228354552_A_History_of_Identities_Violence_and_Stability_in_Nigeria
Otite, O. (1986). Sociological study of corruption. F. Odekunle, Nigeria: Corruption in development. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
Oyovbaire, E. (1978). The politics of revenue allocation. K. Panther-Brick, Soldiers and oil, The political transformation of Nigeria. England: Frank Cass
Rokkan, S. (1973). Center formation, nation-building and cultural diversity: report on a UNESCO programme. Eisenstadt, S. N. & S. Rokkan, Building States and Nations: Vol. I & II. Beverly Hills: Lage.
Rokkan S. & Urwin, D.W. (1982). The politics of territorial identity: studies in European regionalism. London: Sage
Saliu, H.A. & Lipede, A. (2008). Constraints on democracy in Nigeria. Saliu, H. A., Jimoh, H. I., Yusuf, N., & O.E. Ofo, Perspectives on nation-building and development in Nigeria. Lagos: Concept Publicaions Limited.
Salomone, F. (1991). Ethnic identities and religions. Olupona, J. K. & T. Falola, Religion and society in Nigeria. Ibadan Spectrum Books
Shola, J.O. (2009). Nigerian parties and political ideology. Journal of Alternative perspectives in the Social Sciences, 1(3), 612-634. Accessed on September 6, 2018 from https://www.japss.org/upload/4.Sholaomotolaarticle.pdf
Smith, A.D. (1991). The ethnic origins of nations. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Smith, M. G. (1971). Institutional and political considerations of pluralism. Kuper, L. & M.G. Smith, Pluralism in Africa. Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Strickler, V.J. & Davies, R. (1996). Political party conventions. F.N., Magill, International Encyclopedia of Government and Politics. London and Chicago: Fitzroy Dearbin Publishers.
The Economist. Economic Intelligence unit democracy index. Accessed on January 25, 2018 on www.economist.com/media/pdf/Democracy_Index_2002v3.pdf
Akinwunmi, E.O. (2002). Crowther Samuel Ajayi, 1810 to 1891. Dictionary of African and Christian Bibliography. Accessed on December 2, 2018 from www.dacb.org/stories/nigeria/crowther4_samajayi.html
Akpomuvie, O.B., & Forae, F.O. (2005). Ethnic communal conflicts in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Political Science, 10(1&2), January-December, 144-146
Almond, G.A., Powell, B.G., Storm, K., & Dalton, R.J. (2014). Comparative politics today, 11th ed. New York: Pearson.
Anderson, B. (2016). Imagined communities: reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism, Rev. ed. London: Verso.
Appadorai, A. (2001). The substance of politics (Rev. ed.). India: Oxford University Press.
Arowolo, D. (2011). Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Theory and dimension. Afro Asian Journal of Social Sciences, 2(22), 3
Audu, M.S. (2008). Emerging issues in the culture of corruption in Nigeria: Implications for national development. Saliu, H.A., Jimoh, H.I., Yusuf, N., & E.O. Ofo, Perspectives on nation-building and development. Lagos: Concept Publications Limited.
Bello-Imam, I.B. (2005). The war against corruption in Nigeria: Problems and prospects. Ibadan: College Press and publisher Limited, 2005.
Chidume, C.G., Chukwu, G.A., Ukaegbu, N.M., & Agudiegwu, M.O. (2014). Centenary celebration of Nigeria and challenges of nation-building. European Journal of Research and Reflection in Arts and Humanities, 2(2). Accessed on July 18, 2018 from https://www.idpublications.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/CENTENARY-CELEBRATION-OF-NIGERIA-AND-CHALLENGES-OF-NATION-BUILDING.pdf.
Campbell, J. (2011). Nigeria: dancing on the brink. New York: Rowman & Little Publishers, Inc.
Canovan, M. (1998.) Nationhood and political theory. Cheltenham, Northampton: Edward Elgar.
Coleman, J.S. (1986). Nigeria: background to nationalism. Benin City: Broburg & Winstrom.
Danziger, J.N & Smith, C.A. (2015). Understanding the political world: a comparative introduction to political science, 12th ed. Pearson: Longman.
Deutsch, K.W. (1966). Nationalism and social communication: an inquiry into the foundation of nationality, 2nd ed. Massachusetts: MIT Press.
Diamond, L. (2008). The rule of law versus the big man. Journal of Democracy, 19(2), 138-149. Accessed on April 10, 2018 from https://muse.jhu.edu/article/235509
Dike, V.E. (2010). Review of the challenges facing the Nigerian economy: Is national development possible without technological capability? Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 12(5), 96-104
Egwu, S. (2011). Ethno-religious conflicts and national security in Nigeria: Illusions from the Middle Belt. S. Adejumobi (Ed.), State, economy and society in post-military Nigeria. New York; Palgrave Macmillan.
Elaigwu, J.I. (2012). Nigeria: Essays in governance and society. Jos: Adonis & Abbey Publishers Limited.
Elaigwu, J.I. (2004). The challenges of nation-building in the twenty-first century: the Nigerian experience. Calabar: University of Calabar.
Elaigwu, J.I. (1985). Nationbuilding and political development in Nigeria: The challenge of unity in a heterogeneous society. Atanda, J. A. & A.Y. Aliyu, Proceedings of the national conference on Nigeria since independence, Vol. I. Zaira: Gaskiya Corporation Limited.
Falode, A. (2011). The Nigerian civil war, 1967-1970: a revolution?. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations (AJPSIR), 5(3), 120-124. Accessed on February 15, 2018 from www.academicjournals.org/journal/AJPSIR/article-abstract-/E70BD3B40546
Friedrich, C.J. (2010). Nation-building. Deutsch, K., & W. Foltz, Nationbuilding in comparative contexts. London: Aldine Transaction
Galadima, H. S. (1998). Militarism and governance in Nigeria. Governance: A journal of the institute of governance and social research, 1(1), 116-117
Gellner, E. 2006. Nations and nationalism, 2nd ed. New York: Cornell University Press
Hechter, M. (1985). Internal colonialism revisited. Tiryakian, E.A. & R. Rogowski, New nationalisms of the developed west, London: Allen and Unwin.
Igbuzor, O. (2008). Strategies for winning the anti-corruption war in Nigeria. ActionAid Nigeria Briefing, 2, 6. Accessed on September 10, 2018 from http://www.actionaid.org/sites/files/actionaid/winning_anti-corruption_war_in_nigeria1.pdf
Harris, P.B. 1986. Foundation of political science. London: Harper Collins Publishers Ltd.
Hippler, J. 2005. Nation building: a key concept for peaceful conflict transformation. London: Pluto Press, 2005
Hyden, G. & Brathon, M. (1991). Governance and politics in Africa. London: Lynne Rienne Publishers
Ifamose, F.O. (2004). Governance in a persuaded society: A critique of the anti-corruption of the 4th republic. Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria (JHSN), 1(1), 82-93
Janda, K., Berry, M. J., Goldman, J., Schildkraut, D. J., & Manna, P. (2018). The challenge of democracy: American government in global politics 14th ed. Boston: Cengage Learning.
Kellas, J.G. (1998). The politics of nationalism and ethnicity, 2nd ed. London: Macmillan.
Kesner-Skreb, M. (2009). Fiscal federalism: Financial theory and practice. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 33(2), 235-237. Accessed on March 12, 2018 from http://www.fintp.hr/upload/files/ftp/2009/2/skreb.pdf
Michael, B. (2006). Philosophical and ideological perspectives on the problem of development in Nigeria in the 21st century. Journal of Social and Contemporary Issues (JSCI), 2(1&1), 55
Meturama, D.M. (2010). Democracy and the challenge of ethno-nationalism in Nigeria’s fourth republic: Interrogating institutional mechanism. Journal of Peace, Conflict and Development, 15. Accessed on January 19, 2018 from http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/10269/1/Democracy_and_the_Challenge_.pdf
Muhammad, A. R. A. 2007. Federalism and political stability in Nigeria: current peril and future hopes. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 9(4), 188.
Nation building and social integration theory, chapter 2, 1. Accessed January 14, 2018 from http://folk.uio.no/palk/ch02.htm
Nwagbara, U. (2010). The Nigerian press, the public sphere and sustainable development: engaging the post amnesty deal in the Niger Delta. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 12(3), 13. Accessed on March 10, 2018 from http://www.academia.edu/1478816/The_Nigerian_press_the_public_sphere_and_sustainable_development_Engaging_the_post_amnesty_deal_in_the_Niger_delta
Nye, J.S. (1967). Corruption and political development: A cost-benefit analysis. American Political Science Review, 61(2). Accessed on June 12, 2018 from https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/corruption-and-political-development-a-cost-benefit-analysis/D5E8F481DE22E6F77FCCB924D502BB9F
Oates, W. E. (1999). An essay on fiscal federalism. America: Journal of Economic Literature, 37(3), 120-149. Accessed on February 17, 2018 from http://econweb.umd.edu/~oates/research../FiscalFederalism.pdf
Odofin, A.P. (2005). Federalism and governance in Nigeria: The crisis of transformation and the challenges of nation-building. Nigerian Journal of Political Science, 10(1&2), 14-15.
Odoko, O.F. & Nnanna, O.J. n. a. Fiscal federalism: Fiscal discipline and service delivery in Nigeria. Accessed on May 15, 2018 from http://www.case.ox. ac.uk/books/ epopnlfiscalfederalism.pdf,
Olling, R.D. & Westmacott, W. (1988). Perspectives on Canadian federalism. Canada: Prentice Hall, 1988
Olowonini, G. D. (1999). Federalism and vertical intergovernmental financial imbalance in Nigeria. B. Aigbokhan, Fiscal federalism and Nigeria’s economic development. Ibadan: Secre Publishing
Oritsejafor, O.E. (2000). Development in Nigeria: A political and economic challenge. Accessed on March 14, 2018 from http://www.jsd africa.com/Jsda/fallwinter2000/articlespdf/ARC Development%20in%20Nigeria.pdf
Osaghae, E.E. & Suberu, T.R. (2005). A history of identities, violence and stability in Nigeria. Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity (CRISE), CRISE Working Paper, 6, 11. Accessed on August 12, 2018 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228354552_A_History_of_Identities_Violence_and_Stability_in_Nigeria
Otite, O. (1986). Sociological study of corruption. F. Odekunle, Nigeria: Corruption in development. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
Oyovbaire, E. (1978). The politics of revenue allocation. K. Panther-Brick, Soldiers and oil, The political transformation of Nigeria. England: Frank Cass
Rokkan, S. (1973). Center formation, nation-building and cultural diversity: report on a UNESCO programme. Eisenstadt, S. N. & S. Rokkan, Building States and Nations: Vol. I & II. Beverly Hills: Lage.
Rokkan S. & Urwin, D.W. (1982). The politics of territorial identity: studies in European regionalism. London: Sage
Saliu, H.A. & Lipede, A. (2008). Constraints on democracy in Nigeria. Saliu, H. A., Jimoh, H. I., Yusuf, N., & O.E. Ofo, Perspectives on nation-building and development in Nigeria. Lagos: Concept Publicaions Limited.
Salomone, F. (1991). Ethnic identities and religions. Olupona, J. K. & T. Falola, Religion and society in Nigeria. Ibadan Spectrum Books
Shola, J.O. (2009). Nigerian parties and political ideology. Journal of Alternative perspectives in the Social Sciences, 1(3), 612-634. Accessed on September 6, 2018 from https://www.japss.org/upload/4.Sholaomotolaarticle.pdf
Smith, A.D. (1991). The ethnic origins of nations. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Smith, M. G. (1971). Institutional and political considerations of pluralism. Kuper, L. & M.G. Smith, Pluralism in Africa. Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Strickler, V.J. & Davies, R. (1996). Political party conventions. F.N., Magill, International Encyclopedia of Government and Politics. London and Chicago: Fitzroy Dearbin Publishers.
The Economist. Economic Intelligence unit democracy index. Accessed on January 25, 2018 on www.economist.com/media/pdf/Democracy_Index_2002v3.pdf
Downloads
Published
2019-06-18
Issue
Section
Artikel
License
Authors Who Publish whit this journal agree to the following term :
Copyright on any article is retained by the Journal
- Author grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this;
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal;
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work;
- Every accepted manuscript should be accompanied by Copyright Transfer Agreement (CTA), prior to the article publication. CTA can be downloaded here;
=====================================================================================================
Penulis yang mempublikasikan naskahnya pada Jurnal ini menyetujui ketentuan berikut:
Hak cipta pada setiap artikel adalah milik jurnal.
- Penulis mengakui bahwa Jurnal ARISTO berhak sebagai mempublikasikan pertama kali dengan bekerja secara bersamaan dibawah Creative Commons Attribution License yang memungkinkan orang lain untuk membagi pekerjaan dengan pengakuan dari pengarang dan publikasi pertama dalam jurnal ARISTO;
- Penulis dapat memasukan tulisan secara terpisah, mengatur distribusi non-ekskulif  dari naskah yang telah terbit di jurnal ini kedalam versi yang lain (misal: dikirim ke respository institusi penulis, publikasi kedalam buku, dll), dengan mengakui bahwa naskah telah terbit pertamakali pada Jurnal ARISTO;
- Penulis diperbolehkan dan didorong untuk mengirimkan pekerjaan mereka secara daring (misal melalui respositories atau website instansi penulis) sebelum atau selama proses pengiriman pada Jurnal ARISTO berlangsung, ini dapat menjadikan pertukaran informasi yang sangat produktif, dan serta menjadikan kutipan yang banyak dari publikasi;
- Setiap naskah yang diterima wajib menyertakan Perjanjian Pemindahan Hakcipta (Copyright Transfer Agreement/CTA), sebelum artikel diterbitkan. CTA dapat diunduh di sini
