Contributions to the Anharmonicity

i. Nigeria has about two hundred and fifty (250) ethnic groups. As a result there exists cultural and religious differences among the groups. Creation of states would allow the continuity of autonomy of the various groups in their culture and religion.

ii. Some communities allege economic discrimination e.g. denial of job opportunities and social amenities. This is the case with the oil producing state of Nigeria and it makes them demand and for their own states.

iii. Creation of States brings the government nearer to the people and the people begin to get the feeling of government more than ever before.

iv. The Minority ethnic groups also nurse the fear that their languages and culture would be submerged by the majority ethnic groups if they continue to stay

under the government controlled by the majority ethnic groups.

They

therefore, want to protect their language and culture by demanding for states.

v. Political stability is enhanced by creation of states as many people receive political education more.

vi. Minority ethnic groups accuse the majority ethnic groups of maladministration and political victimization and as such demand for states creation to favour them.

vii. The need for various units to get their fair share of the federally generated revenue and income creates the urge to demand for state creation.

viii. The quest for even economic and social development by the people makes them to demand for states creation which they believe would enhance greater opportunities for economic and social development for their areas.

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2

Give any two reasons for the continuous demand for creation of states in Nigeria.

4.0 CONCLUSION

The above analyses show that despit the increase from three regions to thirty – six states, the Nigerian people are yet to be integrated. In spite of all these states that are created, the agitation for the creation of more states in Nigeria is endless. This is so, because none of the three major ethnic groups wants to concede the leadership of the country to the other because they are aware that whoever gets political power first, all other things shall be added onto them. Nigerian leaders seem to have contacted the colonialists misnormal of the state partitioning with little or no recourse to the people.

Though state creation hither to unites tribes, cultures, religions, etc. Nigerian people are more divided than they were about forty – nine years ago.

5.0 SUMMARY

Let us recall the major things we have talked about in this unit. The multi-ethnic nature of the Nigerian state makes it necessary for Nigeria to adopt the federal system of government and with this adoption came agitations for creation of states.

The multi-ethnic nature of Nigeria brought about the issue of minorities which has

constituted a major problem militating against the development of the country.

National integration is the process whereby people transfer commitment and loyalties from small tribes, clans, villages or petty principalities to a large central political system.

ANSWERS T O SAES IN THIS UNIT

1. The multi-ethnic nature of the Nigerians state has brought about the

issue of minorities which has constituted a major problem militating against the development of the country.

2. a. Creation of states brings the government nearer to the people

and the people and the people begin to get the feeling of government more than ever before.

b. Minority ethnic – groups accused the majority ethnic groups of

maladministration and political victimization and as such demand for states creation for favour them.

6.0 TUTOR – MARKED ASSIGNMENT

1. Give reason for the continuous demand for creation of states in Nigeria.

2. Discuss the issue of state creation, national integration and development in Nigeria.

7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READINGS.

Amuwo, K. et al (1998). (ed). Federalism and Political Restructuring in Nigeria.

Ibadan. Spectrum Books, Ltd.

Anyaele, J. U (2003). Comprehensive Government. Lagos. A. Johnson Publishers, Ltd.

Ofoegbu, G.A.I. (1999). Modern Government. Onitsha. Mas Founders Publications, Ltd.

UNIT 12

ETHNICITY IN NIGERIA.

TABLE OF CONTENT 1.0 Introduction … … …

2.0 Objective … … … 3.0 Ethnicity in Nigeria … … … 3.1 The Concept of Ethnicity … … …

3.2 Causes and Effects of Ethnicity in Nigeria. … … … 3.2.1 Poverty … … …

3.2.2 Manipulations … … … 3.2.3 Self – Determination … … … 3.2.4 Illiteracy … … …

3.2.5 Over – Centralization … … … 3.2.6 Colonial Policies … … … 3.2.7 Military Rule … … … 4.0 Conclusion … … … 5.0 Summary … … …

6.0 Tutor – Marked Assignment … … … 7.0 References/Further Readings … … …

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Ethnicity is a threat to the political stability and development of Nigeria. Ethnicity of Nigeria is so vivid that there is no definition of a Nigerian beyond that of some who live within the borders of the country. The boundaries of the formerly English colony were drawn to serve commercial interest, largely without regard for the territorial claims of the indigenous people.

As a result, about two hundred and fifty ethnic groups comprise the population of Nigeria, and the country’s unity has been consistently under siege: eight attempts at secession threatened national unity between 1914 and 1977. the Biafran War was the last of the secessionist movements within this period.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

At the end of the unit, you should be able to:

i. Define ethnicity

ii. State the major ethnic groups in Nigeria

iii. Explain the difference between poverty and self-determination iv. Identify the causes and effects of ethnicity in Nigeria