Nigeria on the Brink: Imperatives of Managing Diversity in a Multi-Ethnic Society
Nigeria on the Brink: Imperatives of Managing Diversity in a Multi-Ethnic Society

Summary/Abstract: The phenomenon of ethnic and religious inequality has continued to be experienced in most societies of the world. In Nigeria, the problem seemed to have increased over the past years, thereby creating a complex matrix that produced negative effects. This has brought a lot of untold hardships and other social consequences upon the state. The present conflicts and violence that have destroyed a lot of lives and property in Nigeria is a product of social inequality. This has retarded growth and development of the state. To understand and provide possible solutions to this phenomenon, theoretical and empirical approaches were used to gather data needed for this work. Findings of the study revealed that groups are more loyal and sympathetic to their identity and interest rather than any state goal. This may be as a result of government and groups not playing their roles well. They sometimes use machinery of state to enhance themselves and their group interests. The paper concludes that politicians favor some ethnic and religious groups in their policy decisions, power sharing, distribution of resources and equity. This has brought inequality and dissatisfaction among groups and citizens. These and other external forces bring inequality which often results in crisis. Part of the solution is to evolve consensus building mechanism that will put in place a state ideology. There should be a framework upon which group interests and actions will be harmonized to meet collective good.

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