The challenges of ethnonationalism for the Nigerian State

Abstract

Whereas present day socio-economic realities tend to favour globalization and universalism, what is happening in Nigeria is rather a rise in ethnonationalism (Obi 2001). In fact, since the present democratic dispensation in Nigeria in 1999, ethnonationalist sentiments have become so trenchant and divisive that the country’s political, social and economic bear nay future is largely threatened. Thus Ochonma plausibly observes “ethnic nationalism has become a stubborn obstacle to the socio-economic and political advancement of Nigeria and the realization of national consciousness by people. The Nigerian nation must therefore conquer it, or it will conquer the Nigerian nation” (Ochonma 2011). This paper, using the historical and analytical approaches, examines the conditions that underlie contemporary ethnonationalism in Nigeria, the different ways in which contemporary ethnonationalism manifests, and the ways in which negative ethnonationalism can be fruitfully addressed. It argues that contemporary ethnonationalism in Nigeria stems from the grievances of the different ethno-regional groups in Nigeria which grievances relate to control of or access to state power and patronage and distribution of government revenue including budgetary allocations. The surge in ethnonationalist sentiments and violence in Nigeria thus reflects the failure of federal institutions to accommodate ethnic demands as well as the failure of the elite to provide effective people-oriented governance. The paper thus seeks to demonstrate how a rise above official hypocrisy and insincerity will pave the way for checking negative ethnonationalism in Nigeria. Key words: Ethnonationalism, democratic governance.