EKWEALOR, FERDINAND EKWEALOR
Department of Public Administration, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra state, Nigeria
Corresponding Author’s email: orjiakor4god@gmail.com
Abstract
This study is on ethnicity, ethnic problems and solutions – the Nigerian perspective. Ethnicity is a universal phenomenon which is present in every society no matter how simple. Every government has the duty of managing its ethnic components for the progress and unity of the polity. The objectives of the study include: to examine the emergence of ethnicity cum ethnic politics in Nigeria; to examine the effects of ethnicity on Nigeria as a nation-state; and to proffer solutions to ethnic problems in Nigeria The problems spotlighted in the study include: military incursions into Nigerian politics from 1966 to 1999; coups and counter coups leading to political instability from 1966 to 1999; religious upheaval, political domination by the north; mistrust among leaders and citizens; emergence of ethnic militant groups; security challenges; secessionist agitations among others. The study concludes that Nigeria is sick politically, socially and economically. The study therefore recommended among other things; retention of federalism; rotational president; implementation of federal character principle in federal appointments; effective implementation of quota system in federal jobs; streamlining the national sports commission; re-orientation of the national youth service corps, establishment of more federal institutions in all the states; streamlining the anti-corruption agencies to make them nonpartisan and de-tribalistic; and government’s moral and legal response to all security challenges/tribal wars including the killings by herdsmen and bringing culprits to book; joint religious interactions; youth empowerment and job creation; poverty eradication and national policy on education curriculum to be tailored in line with inculcating unity among the youth.
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