Ethnicity: A Key Challenge to the Security and Nation Building in Nigeria

By: Abdul-rouf Sofiyat Dasola 

Nigeria is a heterogeneous entity composed of a large mass of people from different cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and religious affiliations. These attributes have been inescapable bondage to the country, owing to its complex historical and colonial legacy. The initial revocation of the Royal Niger Company Charter in 1899 and the subsequent merging of existing several ethnic linguistic, and cultural groups and communities which had then attained different levels of political and economic development by the British colonial masters resulted in what is known as Nigeria today.

Before colonial rule, the then territory has three major ethnic nationalities with differences in the way governmental activities were run. The feudalistic Oligarchy in the North, centralized monarchical Democracy in the West, and decentralized in the East. From a religious view, though Hausa were practicing Islam due to the Jihad conquest. The Yoruba and Igbos on the other hand are traditionalists before the introduction of Islam and Christianity to the regions.

The indirect rule system introduced by British officials contributed immensely to the problem of ethnicity in Nigeria. The colonial administration of 1922 which ruled the North through proclamation, and 1958 which introduced regional government also awaken the spirit of ethnicity and fear of ethnic domination in Nigeria.

Consequently, the outcome of the arbitral merger resulted in ethnic and political uproars which were described by Awolowo as the passionate desire for ethnic hegemony, extreme intolerance for democratic norms and practice as well absence of ideology by political player (Awolowo 1981). And these have cumulated as a major challenge confronting Nigeria since the crash of colonialism.

Before Nigeria's independence in 1960, the three power blocs had been built in the country with each region having its respective leaders. This pattern preluded Nigeria's independence. In essence, with these existing power blocs, the political leadership band orientation of the country was nurtured along with ethnicity. 

Despite the long independence of Nigeria with many great things awarded to her, Nigeria is still being ravaged by the chronicle challenge of ethnic diversity. Efforts in solving the numerous teething problems that are hindering national growth and development have been yielding paltry results over the years.

Furthermore, the issue of ethnicity, corruption, and politics by identity has posed many challenges which have led the nation into a state of near comatose. In essence, the effort at building a virile and united nation has failed. It has been evident in many cases that politics in Nigeria is synonymous with ethnicity as it is continuously featured in Nigeria's political life. And this encourages each ethnicity to project its ethnic interest against the interest of Nigeria as a nation.

In addition, the projection of ethnic interest by different ethnic communities awakens the interest to protect and respond to an ethnic quest that has succeeded in putting the country in a furnace of insecurity leading to scores death of innocents. The challenge of insecurity has attained its peak forcing the country to the edge of loss of their loved ones, economic instability, and political unrest. The number of grave crimes such as kidnapping, ethnic clashes (evident in Lagos and another part of the country where different ethnicities coexist), carjacking religious killing and the like has constantly dominated the characteristics of our national life.

Not only that, the continued insecurity and ethnic identity have threatened and continue instigating the ecology fear and anxiety in citizens of this great nation. It also has a huge effect on the industrial development of Nigeria, the effect of which makes the country remain like a crawling baby rather than an old man which it is. Moreso, the destruction of the badly needed infrastructure to unreasonable crises has taken the country back in years. 

The same scene is observable in the nation's judicial system, where the organ that is supposed to be the moral umpire and upholds justice fails in its responsibility. The rate of corruption within the judiciary itself makes its integrity and efficiency doubtable. Where justice is not withheld on the bases of corruption, favoritism, or religious or geo-political affiliation, the upholding of justice is often delayed.

Even after the restoration of political power to the civilian government after the failed attempt of the military government to curb ethnic politics and insurgency in 1999 (fourth republic), Nigeria continues to wallow in ethnic crises which amount to insecurity nationwide. The crises among the herders and the farmers (Kano, Oyo, Ondo, etc), and unhealthy rivalry among the ethnic that constituted the old oil town (Worri, Urhobo, and Ijaw) are good examples of ethnic crises. The brutal attack and ambush of the train along the Abuja-Kano road on 28th of March,2022, the Owo, Ondo state church massacre on 5th of July 2022 and likes give a more clear picture of insecurity in Nigeria.

These crises not only recked the country's development by destroying the infrastructures that are meant to improve her political and economic status but also killed the great number of the citizens (adults and children) who were supposed to be the brain behind the genuine development of the country. A lot of the military personnel were killed leaving with little brave men and discouraged some from joining the force with the fear of losing their lives.

The multiplicity of ethnic that was supposed to be a prospect for Nigeria and endeared many goods to her because of the rich and unique cultures of her citizens has been her doom over the years. This has actually become a great question as to whether the problem of Nigeria is her divert in ethnicity or another thing entirely.

About the writer: Abdul-rouf Sofiyat Dasola is a 200-level student of Law and outside academics and journalism, she loves making new friends and connections.