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Ethnic and cultural diversity in Nigeria: A panacea for national development or

decapitation?

Article in Integrity Journal of Arts and Humanities · August 2023

DOI: 10.31248/IJAH2023.076

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 Integrity Journal of Arts and Humanities
Volume 4(4), pages 62-70, August 2023
Article Number: C3DBA4EC1
ISSN: 2811-2407
https://doi.org/10.31248/IJAH2023.076
https://integrityresjournals.org/journal/IJAH
Full Length Research

Ethnic and cultural diversity in Nigeria: A panacea for

national development or decapitation?
Lalekan Bolutife Oluwadele1*, Adedapo Adediran2 and Sunkanmi Micheal Olaogun3
1Public
Policy and Administration, Walden University, USA.
2International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy (MA), Hochschule Furtwangen University, Germany.
3Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author Email: [email protected]

Copyright © 2023 Oluwadele et al. This article remains permanently open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Received 11th July 2023; Accepted 17th August 2023

ABSTRACT: Divisive tendencies are not uncommon in many heterogeneous societies. While the factors responsible for
the tendencies may be as diverse as they can be, one common denominator is that if such tendencies are not well
managed, they may produce unintended consequences for any society, which in most cases lingers beyond imagination.
Nigeria is a multi-ethnic state with diverse cultural practices and affiliations. The dichotomous leaning of these elements
of ethnicity and culture have the dual capabilities to enhance society's well-being or cause irreparable damage to the
entity. Whichever outcome becomes mainly prevalent depends on how well-managed these issues are. Having witnessed
too many unpalatable consequences elicited by the dual concepts of ethnicity and culture, this research sought to explore
the possibility of attaining other outcomes that may not have negative consequences. This qualitative research is anchored
on interviews with scholars across purposely selected academic institutions to elicit perspectives to determine if something
can be done to tame the tide of many untoward incidences that have plagued Nigeria due to its diverse ethnicity and
cultural pluralities. The outcome of the study is indicative that the outcomes of these dual phenomena can be rechannelled
to produce desirable significance by deliberately institutionalizing some pillars that can become the backbone of society.
These pillars or institutions will harness the upsides of ethnicity and culture by creating alignment capable of producing
synergetic outcomes for the betterment of society. Neglecting such pillars will only mean we continue on the ignominious
paths.

Keywords: Cultural, diversity, ethnicity, Nigeria, society, development.

INTRODUCTION

Nigeria is a typical example of countries desperately and cultural diversity in Africa, has national political and
searching for solutions to its ethnic and cultural diversity. It economic development among its major challenges, for
is a multi-colored political entity, multi-religious, which it seeks solutions. It is a country that has typical
multicultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-lingual, than most characteristics of the nature of African issues that
African countries. This diversity is a significant factor in the bedevilled it.
country's political and economic realities. In earlier Though managing ethnic and cultural diversity for
discussions on the subject, it is advocated that it can be political and economic development in Africa is a dilemma
managed (Adediran et al., 2021). Nigeria is said to have (Oluwadele, 2022) that concerns scholars in the continent;
over 250 ethnic groups. Ojukwu and Onifade (2010) however, there are limited studies that interrogated the
remarked that ethnic groups in Nigeria connect 400 area (Edewor et al., 2014) for a possible and working
languages of the Niger-Congo, Nilo -Sahara and Afro - strategy. Hitherto, Africa's economic and political
Asiatic Phyla. There are over 500 dialects situated in development is a concern not only for the continent's
Nigeria alone. Nigeria, the country with the highest ethnic leaders and its people but also an issue that affects other
 Oluwadele et al. 63

continents such as Europe, Asia, and North America. For dress, traditional norms, the way they are born, the way
instance, ethnic, cultural, political, economic, and religious they bury the dead' and the fabric for social interaction (Sá
conflicts in Africa affect Europe as we see the immigration Lúcia and Aixel, 2013). Culture is the identity of individuals
crisis and terrorism in European nations caused by and groups that constitute a given society. This is to say
depressed Africans crossing the Mediterranean Sea. that each society ought to have its own distinct cultural
Nigeria has its lion's share of ethnic and cultural diversity identity.
problems that seems to defer solution. Furthermore, if Daramola (2013) noted that cultural diversity
these problems are not managed, the quest for political presupposes a society of various ethnic, linguistic, social,
and economic development in the country will always be customs, and religious differences. It demands a positive
frustrated by ethnic and cultural jingoism. Therefore, this approach to tolerance. Such ethnic diversity obliges
study proposes to investigate how Africa can manage its recognition, tolerance, and respect of the modes of
ethnic and cultural diversity for effective political and behaviour and customs of each ethnic group. Cultural
economic development through the prism of Nigeria as a diversity poses a major challenge to nation-building.
case study. What are the things that Nigerians should do Nation-building implies constructing or structuring a
to manage ethnic and cultural diversity for national identity national identity using the state's power. Nation-building
and development? aims to unify people within the state to remain politically
stable and viable through fostering social harmony,
economic growth, military conscription, and national
Conceptual clarifications content mass schooling (Dunmoye, 2012).
As UNECA (2011) Reported, many of the primordial
The concept of ethnicity, highly researched by scholars, is indicators or symbols of a given identity group overlap with
deeply related to the universal practice of alienation and those of other groups, as linguistic and religious
identity branding, whereas branding has always communities often extend far beyond the kinship or ethnic
characterized both intra-global and intra - national entity. Race, religion, ethnicity, kinship, and clan identities
relations, and where also, opportunities, rights, and also do not necessarily constitute homogeneous groups
privileges are functions of who you are and where you are since such groups may practice different religions, operate
from as separated from others. According to Osaghae under different modes of production with different
(995) (as cited by Edewor et al., 2014, p.2), ethnicity is "the institutional systems, and belong to different social classes
employment or mobilization of ethnic identity and (UNECA, 2011). However, ethnic, racial, cultural, and
difference to gain advantage in situations of competition, religious identities are not confined to the jurisdiction of a
conflict or cooperation". given state. For example, the Fulani people are spread
In his study, Irobi (2014) traced the origin of ethnicity as over some 19 countries from North Africa to Sub-Saharan
an attempt to classify people not according to their current areas; the Hausa are found in five countries (Nigeria,
nationality but according to commonalities in their cultural Niger, Chad, Ghana, and Central African Republic); the
and social background. Yosuf (2016) sees an Ethnic group Luo live in Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and
as "a community of people who have the conviction that Tanzania, while the Somalis are fragmented into four of
they have a common identity and common fate based on the Greater Horn countries.
issues of origin, kinship ties, traditions, cultural
uniqueness, a shared history and possibly a shared
language". Ukpo (1977) corroborates Thomson's position The farmers/herders conflict as ethno-cultural fallout
as he calls an "ethnic group" a "group of people having a in Nigeria
common language and cultural values". Ambe-Uva, (2010)
perceptive work observed that ethnicity is the deliberate The problem of herders-farmers conflicts in Nigeria has
and conscious tracing of one's identity to a particular ethnic been a challenge to all and sundry. Conflicts always cause
group and allowing such feeling to determine the way one many distractions. Communities have been ravaged, farm
relates with people and things; ethnicity creates the resources destroyed, cattle rustling and killing, human
brackets of 'we' ‘us' 'they' ‘ours,' 'theirs' feeling. Ethnicity lives destroyed, and strong enmity ensued among the
makes it difficult for different ethnic groups to agree on affected individuals and communities. Undoubtedly, this is
issues because individuals usually look at anything from a serious challenge to the development of such
the prism of their idiosyncrasy or culture. communities. To corroborate the above assertion, Abugu
There is a unified understanding of culture around the and Onuba (2015) observed that herders' and farmers'
globe, unlike globalization. Culture is seen as a way of life. conflicts had destroyed many resources, affecting the
Fatile and Adejuwon (2013) noted that culture is the Nigerian economy. They capture the scenario this way by
unifying force in the diverse Nigerian society. This may be saying the conflicts undermine the potentials of the
true as Sá Lúcia and Aixel's (2013) definition of culture Nigerian nation, occasioned chiefly by climate change
considers the unification of Africa and Nigerian society. resulting from the depletion of natural and material
They observe that culture constitutes "the totality of resources.
people's way of life, including the ways they live, eat, Development reverse will take effect when conflicts
64 Integ. J. Arts and Human.

degenerate to the level of life and property destruction. cultivation (and increasing commercialization of the crop-
Farmers' herders' conflict in Nigeria has implications for residues) and poor management of the existing grazing
rural development, no doubt; thus, Adisa (2012) said that reserves have resulted in a significant reduction in
the herders-farmers conflict hinders the economic, social, available livestock feed resources, in particular in the
political, and psychological lives of rural dwellers in Northern States. Moreover, the high-value crops
Nigeria. Most of the food eaten in our cities is produced in introduced by NFDP (tomatoes and onions) produce
the rural areas. When these rural farms are used as cattle almost no crop residues for livestock feeding.
food sources, the rural community and the urban centers Finally, the regulation that twenty percent of the Fadama
will be affected. Furthermore, farmer-herders conflict has would need to be set aside for grazing (National
remained Nigeria's most preponderant resource-use Agricultural Policy, 1988) has not been adhered to; and
conflict (Adisa, 2012). decline in internal discipline and social cohesion, as the
The cause of these conflicts is not far from the fact that adherence to the traditional rules regarding grazing
farmers and herders compete to utilize arable agricultural periods, and the authority of the traditional rulers is
areas. The changing climatic condition worsens the case. breaking down. This is exacerbated by increased rent-
Abugu and Onuba (2015) noted that between 2000 and seeking of the formal and traditional authorities in
2015, conflicts and confrontations were reported between managing resource access.
the Fulanis and the indigenes of the areas they migrated Adisa (2012, p.102) noted that "whatever the causes of
to in search of grazing land lacking in some parts of the farmers-herders conflicts are, it is evident that the conflicts
North also, that the mass media is inundated with reported have been of great negative effects". These range from
cases of clashes between the Fulani's from the North and economic effects (such as loss of income/resources/yield)
the inhabitants of the Plateau, Kogi and Benue in the to physical (such as home/farm destruction, bodily injury
middle belt region of the country and some parts of the or death of family member) and socio-psychological
Eastern region like Enugu and the Western region Ekiti effects such as emotional exhaustion, job dissatisfaction".
and Oyo. Instead of the communities experiencing development due
The issue of resource control is the focus of the conflicts to their economic activities, the conflicts are causing
between herders-farmers. Emphasizing this, Marietu and underdevelopment. So, the conflict between communities
Olarewaju (2009) opined that conflicts are most and herders is a bane to the development aspiration of
responsible for the unsustainable utilization of land and Nigeria.
water resources as the trampling by the hooves of herds
of cattle compacts the soil of farmland, destroying farm
crops by the herders, places restraint on effective Effect of ethnic and cultural differences on economic
utilization of arable farmland among other destruction of development
available resources.
That is, it has been understood that these conflicts have The submission of Fatile and Adejuwon (2013) is that
their roots in the land tenure system; settlers and indigenes ethnic diversity has been an obstacle to Africa's overall
contest over land and misplaced development strategies political and economic development. He stressed further
of the government (Marietu and Olarewaju, 2009). Adisa that ethnicity is the most definitive cause of the social
(2012), citing Haan (2002), noted that 'destruction of crops crisis, injustice, inequality, religiopolitical instability, fears,
by cattle and other property like irrigation equipment and and tension across the polity. Be that as it may, the poser
infrastructure by the pastoralists themselves are the main is that if the feeling of national identity is threatened by
direct causes for conflicts cited by the farmers, whereas cultural diversity, what can a nation-state like Nigeria do?
burning of rangelands and farmlands and blockage of This "national question" dominated Nigerian politics and
stock routes and water points by crop encroachment are literature even before independence in 1960.
important to direct reasons cited by the pastoralists'. How successive Nigerian political leaders can manage
Ingawa et al. (1999), cited in Adisa (2012), reported that the ethnic and cultural diversity for national integration for
the key underlying causes of herders-farmers conflicts in economic and national development (Edewor et al., 2014,
Nigeria are: changing resource access rights, whereby the p.1) is a serious bone of contention in the country. As
individual tenure-ship of arable farmers is obstructing Adelabu (2015) documented, other important identity
traditional access rights to communal grazing and water markers are largely neglected in the literature: modes of
resources. This is particularly severe on the traditional trek production and institutional systems of governance. The
routes, which become favourite cropping sites because of modes of production that prevail in the African continent
their better soil fertility resulting from the concentration of range from fairly advanced capitalism, symbolized by
animal manure from the trekking herds in these areas. modern banking systems and stock markets, to
Within the Fadama areas, this is exacerbated by the subsistence peasantry and pastoral systems (Edewor et
fragmented nature of the crop plots, which makes al., 2014, p.1).
prevention of animals straying in the crop plots difficult; Pastoral communities in rural areas and business
Inadequacy of grazing resources, as increasing crop communities in urban areas, no doubt, represent different
 Oluwadele et al. 65

identities with different institutional systems and cultural Africa's political and economic development to be at par
values even when they belong to the same ethnic or with its counterpart in Asia.
religious groups (Onwumah, 2014). Such fragmentation of
the modes of production, like ethnic and religious diversity,
creates different economic, political, and cultural spaces RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
within countries and ethnic and religious identities. The
diversity of modes of production also perpetuates diverse In answering the research question of what Nigerians
institutional systems. Institutional fragmentation manifests should do to manage ethnic and cultural diversity for
in the adherence of rural populations, who constitute the national identity and development, the research method
overwhelming majority of the population in most African used interviews. The study population comprised experts
countries, primarily to traditional (informal) institutions from the University of Abuja and Ahmadu Bello University.
(UNECA, 2011), such as customary law of land ownership Thus, the researcher decided to sample only the academia
and conflict resolution practices. The post-colonial state, in history, political science, economics, and international
by contrast, operates based on modern (formal) relations departments. It is believed that they have
institutions of governance, which are primarily imported valuable information regarding the subject of study. The
and often are at odds with African traditional cultural values available population for this study is twenty-five (25). Then,
and socioeconomic realities. the researcher decided on a date and mode of the
However, in recent times, Africa, once branded as the interview (phone and online interviews), thus employing
"Dark Continent," is now considered the fastest-growing convenience and snowball sampling techniques. For this
continent in the world (World Bank Report, 2016). In a study, experts in academia were interviewed using
world severely hit by the global crisis, Africa has remained unstructured questions to elicit reliable facts. This
resilient and shown tremendous promise for improvement. researcher conducted in-person phone and online
Though some challenges face the continent, interviews from the university campus, at local cafes, and
macroeconomic indications show that Africa is full of at participants' convenience. For phone interviews, the
opportunities (Odo, 2015). researcher arranged a specific time for the interview.
The early 1960s was a fresh start for Africa as some Before recording the interview, the interviewer obtained
countries gained political freedom from colonial rule. This permission from the interviewee to ensure confidentiality.
saw the people of Africa take charge of their economy to For the sample size, Neuman (2007) recommends that
provide good governance and manage resources between 16 and 20 informants are ideal for in-depth
efficiently for growth. All African nations have been interviews. Hence, 25 constituted the sample size for this
pursuing economic growth to increase the capacity to study. The data analysis method involves audio-recording
produce goods and services, which will positively impact all interviews with permission from the interviewees. The
national income and improve employment, resulting in interviews were transcribed for analysis. The interviews
higher living standards. were transcribed and coded into themes using the
The average real growth rate in the world for the past 53 thematic approach. This approach provided answers to the
years (1962-2014) stood around 3.8, whiles Africa's real research questions raised by the researcher.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate was recorded as 3.9
for the same year period (World Economics: Global
Growth tracker, 2016). Out of about 18 nations in West FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
Africa, about 8 (Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Cote
d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia) grew at a The research findings are presented under the following
growth rate above 5% in 2013. Except for Uganda, all the headings; factors encouraging cultural and ethnic diversity
other East African nations grew above 4.5% in 2013, with among Nigerians and ways to manage cultural and ethnic
Tanzania's economy growing exceptionally at 7.2% (World diversity in Nigeria.
Bank, 2016). The economic growth story was different in
the Northern zone of Africa in 2013 due to the political
instability in most Arab nations. Morocco was the only Factors encouraging cultural and ethnic diversity
growth outlet of about 4.7%; the other countries in North among Nigerians
Africa recorded 2-3% growth in 2013. South Africa, Africa's
most industrialized country, recorded economic growth of In Nigeria, cultural and ethnic diversity is influenced by
about 2.21%, while Botswana led the sub-region in terms distinctive dynamics. Such factors are present within the
of growth rate with about 9.3% in 2013 (World Bank, 2016). sociocultural, political, and economic discourse. In this
It is pretty confident that African states are gradually study, language barrier, partisan politics, marginalization,
embracing democratic governance even as it is primarily economic deprivation, religious bigotry, indigenization
seen to be improving its economic growth on the global policy, and illiteracy as important factors as they impact the
stage (Sá Lúcia and Aixela, 2013). However, Adetiba and cultural and ethnic division Nigerians are battling.
Rahim (2012) found that much still needs to be done for
66 Integ. J. Arts and Human.

Language barrier and is explained in terms of the proven efficacy of the

ethnic strategy, the weakness of alternative identities and
In Africa, the multiplicity of spoken languages in social, political units, the prevailing milieu of lawlessness that has
political, or economic spheres has been a significant enveloped the country’s political landscape, and the
challenge that fosters ethnic and cultural division, as inability of the state to act as an effective agency of
informants all attested. A Professor of History noted that distributive justice. In essence therefore power struggle is
"the intrusion of foreign languages such as English, at the heart of ethnicity and ethnic politics in the Nigerian
French, Arabic, German or Portuguese have awakened state and instrumentality of its propagation is the platform
the consciousness of diversity in African languages of the political parties.
without a common identified language as a symbol of
common African identity does a humongous harm to the
development of Africa as a continent, socially, Marginalization
economically and politically." He noted that Nigeria is a
typical example of African nations with multi-ethnic groups, A linguistic at the University of Abuja has aptly noted,
which have been a severe contention to national unity "Uniting either as a region, ethnic nationality or religious
For example, English language interfered with group, the north, east, west and south southerners have
indigenous languages of the Nigerian people not for adopted this method of seeking redress to perceived
national harmony but for the protection of the economic injustice", which institutionalized marginalization. Since
interest of the colonizers, the multinational co-operations the return of democratic governance in 1999, the Nigerian
and other few groups. Since the naming of Nigeria was state has faced several nation-building challenges arising
done without any indigenous input in itself is a sign of from separatist agitations, militancy, and ethno-religious
marginalization of the indigenous languages. This ugly conflagrations from several groups within the country.
situation attracts dire implications as shown in Ndhlovu's Three informants attributed these acrimonies to perceived
(2008, p.143) assertion: ...when languages are marginalization.
marginalized and remain invisible in the development An informant, a political scientist, noted that ethnic
matrix, it is the accumulated wisdoms that die - wisdoms question has an overbearing influence on the construction
about politics, about philosophy, about ideology, about of political identity and power in Africa. Also, political
living on the planet earth and successfully doing so. Every ethnicity's influence is so pervasive and overwhelming that
ethnolinguistic polity is unique and has a different history despite not being the primary contradiction of society, it
from any other. How they interacted with the environment has irresistibly become a fundamental contradiction. This
makes each African community a unique people with a has become true of ethnicity regardless of the theoretical
unique language, a unique wisdom, a unique ideas and prism adopted to understand the ethnic phenomenon as
unique knowledge systems, which have the capacity to captured by one informant.
transform the socio-economic fortunes of the world for the Most informants conclude that the Nigerian state's crises
better. are typically associated with problems of class, religion,
politics, corruption, ethnicity, tribalism, inadequate edu-
cation, poor infrastructure, and massive unemployment.
Partisan politics The crux now is that citizen alienation is rife nationwide, to
the extent that every ethnic jigsaw component of Nigeria
A doctorate attests that "Nigeria is a country of over 300 feels sufficiently aggrieved, marginalized and, therefore,
ethnic groups with people of diverse sociocultural seeks fairness via restructuring. The deliberate
affiliations which have a strong bearing in its political- disempowerment of a group of people in a federation
economic reality". Postgraduates know that "virtually every politically, socially and militarily, by another group or
decision taken in Nigeria is seen from the prism of the groups which during the relevant time frame wield power
ethno-cultural divide. As such, in Nigeria, partisan and control the allocation of material and financial
democracy makes one Informant observe that "political resources at the centre of the federation (The Nsukka
decision in Nigeria is faced with challenges centered on Analyst, 1994).
issues related to ethnicity, pressure from diverse
sociocultural groups, government, and corruption". One
informant in the humanities discipline noted that the press Economic deprivation
is always inclined toward the politics of the day. "Ethnicity
has bedevilled the Nigerian political sphere". "Politicians All the informants allude to the fact that most Nigerians are
are tribally, regionally and religious or sectional bias in their poor and lack economic empowerment; as such, resoling
reports of national issues". to biting ethnic jingoism to whither sympathy. An
Osaghae (2001) wrote that: ...the pervasiveness of economist at the University noted that the politicization of
ethnic politics in the country is taken to be symptomatic of ethnicity in multi-ethnic like Nigeria, therefore, has to be
aggravated crisis of legitimacy that has engulfed the state, understood ultimately in the context of intra-class struggles
 Oluwadele et al. 67

for hegemony within a highly fractionalized ruling class, ravaged by the corruption scourge making it the most
even at the detriment of people experiencing poverty. corrupt continent on planet earth. In some cases in Africa,
Showing her frustration with the Nigerian system, one political rulers have become as rich as or even richer than
informant reiterated that "the tendency for political and the entire state they govern through corruption.
social actors to draw from the emotional appeal of “Corruption has worsened and weakened institutions, such
ethnicity, rather economic divisions makes it part and as the legislative, executive and the judicial institutions
parcel of the prevailing system of seeking power and where rule of law and adherence to formal rules are not
authority, and a strategy of attaining material and rigorously observed, where political patronage is standard
psychological survival". Being part and parcel of the practice, where the independence and professionalism of
technology of power of the African ruling elite, ethno- the public sector has been eroded and where civil society
religious identity cannot simply be dismissed as a form of lacks the means to bring public pressure to bear” (Lawal,
false consciousness in which the ruling elite manipulates 2007).
the masses for their own narrow political and economic
gains, as echoed by three informants (Doctoral student
assertion). Ways to manage cultural and ethnic diversity in
Nigeria

Religious bigotry Multi-ethnic states must consider involving every ethnic

group in decision-making for political sustainability and
Religion has a strong influence on Nigerians. Respondents effective ethnic development. It is on this premised that this
agreed that religion is a variable that contributes to the study seeks to find ways in which cultural and ethnic
country's polarization. Two participants agreed that diversity in Nigeria can be managed. Participants were
Christianity and Islam, the country's two major faith, are a able to state various ways the country can manage its
decider in ethnicity direction. multi-diversity for the benefit of all citizens. These
The Historian lamented: "To say that Nigeria is not measures are: protecting cultural rights, including religious
divided along religious, political, economic and social fault- and language rights of minorities; promotion of inclusive
lines is an understatement". These fault lines always narratives and socialization mechanisms; the
resonate when national issues such as national censuses institutionalization of federal character; institutionalization
or general elections are done. One participant said that the of democratic tenets, justice, and fairness in formal and
fault lines are now in the subconscious of Nigeria because informal institutions; establishment of the inter-religious
ethnicity, religiosity, or partisanship continually defines council, the establishment of the inter-ethnic council,
Nigerian's dealings with one another in politics, education, respect and tolerance of cultural differences, inter-
or economic relations. According to Ugwueye (2009), governmental organizations and develop and adopt a legal
“Nigeria is a deeply religious country” (p. 258). It is obvious framework for the role of traditional and religious
that Nigeria as a nation has three major religions namely: authorities.
Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion. Among
these three, there has been intolerance which is a product
of religious bigotry especially between the adherents of Protecting the cultural, religious, and language rights
Christianity and adherents of Islam. Churches and of minorities
mosques have been burnt down in the country.
In a country of over 200 ethnic groups and numerous
religious faiths, it is common to see all these groups
Poor institutional performance advocating for true representation. This reality played out
among the participants in this study as virtually all
The institution saddled with the responsibility of promoting respondents showed their ethnic sentiment while
national orientation appears to be docile, with little or no responding to the question. On this premised, a doctorate
impact made in recent times. The National Orientation participant noted that cultural, ethnic, and language
Agency (NOA) is the principal institution of government in recognition narratives play a major role in poisoning or
Nigeria that is charged with the responsibility. "To mending identity relations among heterogeneous people.
consistently raise awareness, provide timely and credible A professor of international studies reiterates that "it is
feedback; positively change attitudes, values, and important Nigerian governments use their educational
behaviours; accurately and adequately inform; and systems and mass media to promote minorities' right
sufficiently mobilize citizens to act in ways that promote inclusive narratives". That "such effort, though, needs to
peace, harmony; and national development" has not been be accompanied by real commitment and effort on the part
living to expectation. This has contributed to the country's of governments to address grievances of both the
setback in terms of poor orientation. The entire political, majorities and the minorities". He suggested that "in the
economic and social systems in Africa have been severely absence of concrete effort, however, narratives would
68 Integ. J. Arts and Human.

likely be a source of cynicism". Therefore, protecting Institutionalization of democratic tenets

minorities' culture, religion, and language for them to
surrender their loyalty to the state, according to one Most study participants acknowledged that developing
participant, can go a long way in managing cultural and democratic institutions is essential for cultural, ethnic, and
ethnic diversity in any multicultural society. diversity management. The professor of international
The Professor of Political Science echoed that minority studies attested that African countries that recorded
groups in Nigeria have long been accusing "the three progress in democratizing their political systems, such as
major ethnic groups: Igbo, Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba, of South Africa, Ghana, Botswana, Benin, and Nigeria, have
marginalization and negligence despite their economic made notable progress in diversity management.
contributions". For instance, "Niger Delta is a region with The Linguistic scholar recommends that liberal
over forty (40) ethnic groups determine Nigeria's earnings democracy is essential for ethnic and cultural diversity
from the oil sector to national revenue which stood at management given Africa's low levels of nation\state-
89.1% as of 2008. In 2014, the National Bureau of building and the fragmentation of institutional systems
Statistics also reported that the oil and gas sector makes it mandatory for building democratic institutions in
contribution in the third quarter of 2015 amounted to the continent. One participant posits that adopting
₦1.944 trillion. These positive economic improvements are consensus-based decision-making systems on crucial
made possible by huge oil and gas deposits in the region. issues guarantees economic diversification and the
The paradox is that marginalization and negligence by development of civil society and creates social identities,
successive governments have been attributed to the which build bridges among primordial identities, political
recent militancy and kidnapping in the zone". parties in much of Nigeria are likely to be expressions of
cultural, ethnic, or religious identities".

Promotion of inclusive narratives and socialization

mechanisms Justice and fairness in formal and informal
institutions
"A multicultural society such as Nigeria needs all-inclusive
narratives which play a major role in poisoning or mending Thus, the ethnic, religious, and communal groups that feel
identity relations among different groups". This was the marginalized by the major ethnic groups are forced to
position of the Humanities scholar interviewed in this adopt constitutional and extra-constitutional means to
study. Also, a young participant pointed out that "it is challenge the hegemony of the major ethnic groups. The
important that governments use their educational systems leading cause of violent identity conflict in Nigeria is that
and mass media to promote inclusive narratives". most minority groups have remained permanent
Advocating that such effort, however, needs to be minorities. In contrast, the majority groups are the
accompanied by real commitment and effort on the part of permanent majority, a trend that has serious implications
governments and all stakeholders to address grievances. for inter-ethnic and religious relations among the diverse
However, narratives would likely be a source of suspicion ethnic and religious identities in Nigeria. In this way, the
without substantial effort". incentives for cooperation, consensus, and compromise
have been undermined, posing an enormous challenge for
peace-building as diverse ethnic groups are forced to co-
Institutionalization of federal character exist in an environment of mutual mistrust, apathy, and
suspicion "(Verbal conversation by three participants).
The Nigerian principles of Federal Character were
instituted and enshrined in the 1999 constitution to ensure
social harmony among tribal and ethnic groups, states, Establishment of an inter-religious council
and geopolitical zones. According to the Political scientist,
this principle existed in the 1979 constitution with a The sensitive nature of religion in Nigeria makes the
problem lack of application in the authority's decisions. The country experience numerous religious-motivated crises
former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, once over time. As a participant put it, "Religious intolerance has
said that merit should not be sacrificed on the altar of caused the country many harms". To foster
federal character principles. The Doctorate participant "understanding among different religious groups,
advised that "operations of federal character principles stakeholders have advocated for inter-religious council".
should be fair enough to ensure equity and fair play, merit The Historian recalled that "The Plateau State that
and competence, without losing the real essence of experienced the incessant religious crisis in recent time
establishing the principle". Most respondents agreed that established an Inter-religious Council in 2008 to improve
federal character is an instrument that, if applied trust and communications between the two main religious
judiciously, will help manage ethnic and cultural groups in the state". "I could remember that its terms of
differences in Nigeria". reference charge the council with the responsibility of
 Oluwadele et al. 69

fostering and promoting dialogue aimed at addressing the legal framework for the role of traditional and religious
grievances of various sectors of society. On the religious authorities.
front, appreciable progress was made in engaging
religious and community leaders" (Professor of History
reflections). CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Establishment of an inter-ethnic council

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