Multiculturalism and Its Effects on Inequality: A Case Study of Nigeria

Abstract

Inequality has been steadily increasing in developing economies even as the number of people living in absolute poverty has seen a gradual but steady reduction. According to comparative studies jointly conducted by the IMF, UNDP, UNICEF and the World Bank, inequality directly and negatively affects any strategy to eradicate poverty, which makes it deleterious to every sustainable and meaningful development and or economy growth. There are many problems associated with multicultural societies and Nigeria, which is a multiculturalist State, is not exempted from these challenges. The prevalent multicultural political structure in Nigeria is responsible, among other factors for the increasing inequality and poverty rates in the country. The abysmal administration of the ethnic and cultural structures of Nigeria by successive government who incidentally are usually completely made up of the three main ethnic groups in Nigeria, has seriously affected the ethnic cohesion of Nigeria. The discussions about inequality usually centers on its effect on poverty and Nigeria’s challenges with multiculturalism has negatively affected employment rates and effective representation in national and sub-national levels of government. This paper is an attempt to explore some of the impacts of multiculturalism on inequality in Nigeria.