The challenges of nation-building in Nigeria and the state-building alternative
Journal article
Babalola, Dele and Okafor, Chukwuemeka 2022. The challenges of nation-building in Nigeria and the state-building alternative. Ethnopolitics. 23 (1), pp. 20-33. https://doi.org/10.1080/17449057.2022.2101308
Authors | Babalola, Dele and Okafor, Chukwuemeka |
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Abstract | Nigeria’s current democratic dispensation is plagued by a rise in ethnic nationalism, agitations for self-determination and secession, claims of marginalisation, and ethnic, regional and religious tensions. These issues continually dominate state politics. For some analysts, these problems are symptoms of a lack of oneness among the multiple ethno-linguistic and religious groups that make up the country. They are of the view that the solution to the intractable problems lies in nation-building, suggesting the enthronement of a sense of common nationality. On the contrary, this article argues that the lack of national consciousness for a nation may not be the main problem but the lack of viable institutions that can promote deep inter-ethnic relations. State-(re)building in the form of institution-strengthening is rather important for unity in the plural society. Therefore, the creation of new institutions and the strengthening of existing ones, including the federal system, to produce a viable Nigerian state capable of delivering on public goods and good governance is more important to address the many challenges confronting the state. |
Keywords | Nigeria; State-building |
Year | 2022 |
Journal | Ethnopolitics |
Journal citation | 23 (1), pp. 20-33 |
Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
ISSN | 1744-9057 |
1744-9065 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/17449057.2022.2101308 |
Official URL | https://doi.org/10.1080/17449057.2022.2101308 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 03 Aug 2022 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 11 Jul 2022 |
Deposited | 22 Aug 2022 |
Accepted author manuscript | License |
Output status | Published |
https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/9212y/the-challenges-of-nation-building-in-nigeria-and-the-state-building-alternative
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