Ethnic Nationalism In Nigeria And Socio-economic Development In Nigeria
[A STUDY OF GOODLUCK JONATHAN AND BUHARI ADMINISTRATION]

The study examines ethnic nationalism in Nigeria and socio-economic development in Nigeria, using Goodluck Jonathan and Buhari Administration. The study provides more insight into the concept of ethnicity, nationalism, factors leading to ethnic nationalism in modern Nigeria, how ethnic nationalism has affected the socio-economic development in Nigeria, and how to curb or reduce the negative effect of ethnic nationalism on the socio-economic development in Nigeria. The study use primordialist and socio-biological theory, and instrumentalist theory in addressing the topic. Primary and Secondary data were both obtained as regard the study. The primary data was gathered using interview on the basis of the research hypothesis, in which the respondents will provide answers to. Secondary data on the other hand refers to already published information.

The secondary data used to conduct this study were sourced from textbooks, journals, articles, earlier publications, encyclopedia, and dictionaries. The in-depth analysis of the interview findings revealed factors that accounted for the re-emergence and predominance of ethnic nationalism in Nigeria; the issue of legacy of colonialism which was adopted by our indigenous leaders. majority of Nigerians are not patriotic and loyal enough, and one will hardly find loyalty to a cause, a symbiotic construct of patriotism, in an average Nigerian. nationalism is politicized ethnicity and manifests whenever a group of people feels particularly targeted for ill-treatment or oppression especially in a diverse political system;. Secondly, findings on the impact of ethnic nationalism in the modern Nigeria socioeconomic development revealed that, the issue of ethnic nationalism has led to continual threat to the peace, political stability and socioeconomic development in Nigeria as a whole;. Thirdly, the impact of ethnic nationalism gave rise to the materialization of ethnic militias across the country, such as the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) for the Yoruba nationality, Arewa People’s Congress (APC) for the Hausa/Fulani nationality, Bakassi Boys and Biafra for the Igbo nationality. The impact of ethnic nationalism in Nigeria has led to the division and fragmentation of the Nigerian civil society;. And lastly, findings on what can be done to minimize the negative concomitants of ethnic nationalism showed that, there should be a platform/forum (national conference) for which all the various ethnic nationalities in Nigeria can unite to address the national question.

The issue of power rotation or sharing must be institutionalized and well-established in the constitution of the federal republic of the country. A Two Party system is the best alternative for a country like Nigeria where people influence our diversity to cause problem. The study concluded that, nationalism is politicized ethnicity and manifests whenever a group of people feels particularly targeted for ill-treatment or oppression especially in a diverse political system. Unity in diversity must be encouraged and promoted, and proper education (orientation) must be the order of the day and the pursuit of the government. The study further recommends that: Our leaders should formulate policies and strategies will enhance and promote diverse ethnic integration into politics and scrap the inherited colonial structure in place.

To build a virile nation the ruling elites should encourage and promote national discussion. Government should promote a balanced structure across all states in the federation. The issue of generally acceptable revenue should be based on each state population and not on land mass. There should be removal of column showing ethnic backgrounds or state of origin in forms like bank account opening or loans forms, scholarship forms, employment forms, job application forms, school admission forms etc in a bid to unify us as Nigerians without the use of ethnic background as criteria for qualification. Policymakers should formulate policies unifying national goals which will hence, put ethnic sentiments as second place in terms of priority.