This text deals with the historical intrigues, socio-economic cleavages, crime and public safety and other aspects of the nation-building of the country of Nigeria.
The question of Nigeria's failed attempt at nation-building is that of a full moon; clear enough even for a hypocritical sight. A critical examination of Nigeria over five decades of independence, suggests that Nigeria is still comfortably seated in the woods. Even as we move into the 21st Century, in this age of globalization, it seems to be gravitating around a peripheral approach to nation building.
With successive government and its people gracefully "enjoying" a utopian construct of the Nigerian "Great Nation", corruption, social disturbances and insecurity, unemployment and underemployment, endemic intergroup conflict, health hazard, constitutional challenge, weak educational system and structures, "gender gap", civic pride and fake living, malfunctioned transportation, political deceit, secessionist threat, pawn status and so forth continues to outplay nation building attempts.
There is optimism however, of a realistic construct of this ideal.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Prelude to Nigeria’s ‘Political Independence’: Interplay of Ethnic Arithmetic
Imperatives for Nation-Building
Independent Nigeria and Nation Building: Gravitating Around the Periphery
Historical Intrigues
Widespread ‘Institutionalized’ Corruption
Socio-Economic Cleavages
Crime and Public Safety
Political Hypocrisy
Constitutional Imbalances
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This work examines the persistent challenges facing Nigeria's nation-building process since its independence in 1960. It investigates how historical legacies, systemic corruption, socio-economic inequalities, and constitutional deficiencies have hindered the development of a cohesive, stable, and prosperous nation-state.
- Historical evolution of ethnic politics and colonial legacies.
- Systemic corruption across government and societal structures.
- Socio-economic inequalities and their impact on common citizenship.
- Security challenges including crime, kidnapping, and insurgencies.
- Constitutional imbalances and the crisis of federalism in Nigeria.
Excerpt from the Book
Historical Intrigues
The legacies of colonial rule in historical perspective did create some challenges for nation-building in Nigeria. Colonial rule divided Nigeria into North and South with different land tenure systems, local government administration, educational systems, and judicial systems. While large British colonies like India and the Sudan had a single administrative system, Nigeria had two, one for the North and one for the South. It was almost as if these were two separate countries, held together only by a shared currency and transportation system. Many members of the Nigerian elite class in the 1950s and 1960s had their education and world outlook moulded by the regional institutions. Some had little or no understanding of their neighbouring regions. Under these conditions, it was easy for prejudice and fear to thrive. During the period of the decolonization struggle, Nigerian nationalists from different regions fought each other as much as they fought the British colonialists. Nigeria never had a central rallying figure like Kwame Nkrumah in Ghana or Nelson Mandela in South Africa. Instead, each region threw up its own champions. As such it would not be out of place to overtly speak through the tongue of Sir Ahmadu Bello when he aver; “God did not create Nigeria, the British did”. There is a grave implication to this supposition. Nigeria is at best a creation of a man – Lord Laggard – “who woke up one morning, had a cup of tea and threw us all together”. The result of this is a fierce evolution of too many “Nigerians” within Nigeria.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides an overview of Nigeria's failed attempt at nation-building, highlighting the gap between the country's potential and its current state of underdevelopment.
Prelude to Nigeria’s ‘Political Independence’: Interplay of Ethnic Arithmetic: Analyzes the colonial and post-colonial constitutional evolution that cemented ethnic-based politics as the primary driver of national governance.
Imperatives for Nation-Building: Defines the core requirements for nationhood, emphasizing that nations are products of conscious statecraft rather than historical accidents.
Independent Nigeria and Nation Building: Gravitating Around the Periphery: Discusses the paradox of Nigeria's resources versus its development, setting the stage for analyzing specific systemic obstacles.
Historical Intrigues: Examines how colonial administrative divisions and the lack of a unifying national hero fostered regionalism and divisive identities.
Widespread ‘Institutionalized’ Corruption: Details the pervasiveness of corruption across all sectors, from political looting to economic fraud, and its role in stalling development.
Socio-Economic Cleavages: Investigates how extreme economic disparity and unequal access to basic services undermine the concept of common citizenship.
Crime and Public Safety: Explores the rise of criminality, insurgency, and the failure of the state to ensure basic public safety.
Political Hypocrisy: Critiques the nexus between wealth, political power, and governance, noting how elite interests override national development.
Constitutional Imbalances: Discusses the failures of the federal system and the lack of consensus on fundamental political and administrative structures.
Conclusion: Summarizes the need for a new social contract and a conscious effort to overcome historical and institutional failures to realize true nationhood.
Keywords
Nigeria, Nation-Building, Independence, Corruption, Federalism, Ethnicity, Colonial Legacy, Socio-Economic Inequality, Political Hypocrisy, Public Safety, Governance, Social Contract, Citizenship, Underdevelopment, Regionalism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this book?
The book focuses on the historical and structural impediments that have hindered nation-building in Nigeria from its independence in 1960 through 2016.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The primary themes include systemic corruption, the negative impact of colonial historical legacies, socio-economic inequalities, the failure of federalist structures, and the persistent security crises in the country.
What is the main argument regarding Nigeria's nation-building?
The author argues that Nigeria’s nation-building efforts have been consistently undermined by poor statecraft, political hypocrisy, and a failure to build inclusive national institutions that transcend ethnic and regional divides.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The author employs a historical-analytical approach, reviewing constitutional developments, political history, and existing literature to diagnose the structural causes of Nigeria’s developmental paradox.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body systematically deconstructs Nigeria's challenges into six categories: historical intrigues, institutionalized corruption, socio-economic cleavages, crime/public safety, political hypocrisy, and constitutional imbalances.
Which specific keywords define this work?
The work is defined by terms such as nation-building, federalism, corruption, political economy, and social contract.
What role did the colonial administration play in Nigeria's current difficulties?
The author posits that colonial rule created two distinct administrative regions (North and South) with different systems, fostering an environment where regional identity superseded national unity.
How does the author characterize the impact of corruption?
Corruption is described as an "institutionalized" and "lived experience," acting as the root of many problems by diverting resources meant for public development into private hands.
What is the author's suggestion for moving forward?
The author advocates for a "social contract" that prioritizes the needs of the disadvantaged, emphasizes youth empowerment, and demands accountability from political leaders to break from the cycle of historical errors.
What specific security challenge is highlighted in the final chapters?
The author specifically addresses the Boko Haram insurgency as a significant stumbling block that has devastated the economy and infrastructure in the North East while stretching federal security resources.
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- Mr. Afeez Tope Raji (Autor:in), 2016, The Paradox of Nation-Building in Nigeria. Nigeria's Strife and Strivings up to 2016, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/470209
