According to former Senate President Ayim Pius Ayim, Nigeria has failed to successfully unite its heterogeneous population into a shared national identity and aspiration, making it a country rather than a nation. Speaking at a book launch on the development of political parties in Nigeria, Ayim underlined that in order to construct a nation, structures that foster a sense of pride, patriotism, and belonging are necessary—elements that Nigeria lacks. He blames the nation’s political instability on its inability to establish a legitimate nation-state.
Mutual mistrust and the dread of ethnic groups dominating one another are the two main barriers to Nigerian nation-building, according to Ayim. Patriotism and national cohesion are hampered by these elements. By comparing Nigeria to other multiethnic nations that have surmounted comparable obstacles, he highlights the importance of democracy, federalism, constitutionalism (the rule of law), and capable leadership. Although some attribute Nigeria’s problems to military meddling in politics, he emphasises that effective leadership is a vital national asset.
Nation-building has proven to be an ongoing problem in Nigeria.
Also, Ayim comes to the conclusion that the rise of a visionary and committed leader who can successfully manage Nigeria’s diversity is essential to the country’s journey towards nationhood. On October 1, 1960, Nigeria won its freedom from British colonial domination. With over 250 ethnic groups and a vastly varied cultural and religious terrain, nation-building has proven to be an ongoing problem in Africa’s most populous country. Originally a parliamentary democracy, the country rapidly deteriorated due to ethnic and regional conflicts, which resulted in a military coup in 1966 and a countercoup that same year, further dividing the country into North and South.
An estimated one to three million people died during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), which was primarily caused by famine, when the Igbo-majority Eastern Region attempted to split as the Republic of Biafra. Reconstruction and reintegration initiatives following the conflict, such as the “No Victor, No Vanquished” policy, attempted to promote togetherness, but structural disparities remained. Institutional growth was delayed by political instability brought on by the 1979 return to civilian rule and the military takeovers that followed in the 1980s and 1990s.
Prioritising strong leadership and institutional development.
After decades of military dictatorship, the 1999 democratic transition brought hope, but the country was nevertheless beset by problems with governance, corruption, and ethno-religious strife. Nigeria faces challenges in transforming from a nation into a cohesive nation-state due to its weak institutions, political instability, and lack of national cohesion, despite its economic success. Through specific measures like Merit-Based Leadership Selection, Strengthening Federalism and Decentralisation, Judicial and Institutional Reforms, Civic Education and National Identity Programs, and Economic Policies for Inclusive Growth, Nigeria must prioritise strong leadership and institutional development in order to create a cohesive nation-state.
A number of historical leaders and political thinkers have offered their opinions on Nigeria’s nation-building challenges. “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership,” as the renowned Nigerian author Chinua Achebe once stated. He maintained that the main reason for Nigeria’s stagnation is not ethnic diversity but rather bad administration. Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president, has also underlined that Nigeria’s failure to develop national unity is due to a lack of inclusive leadership and a failure to enact true federalism. He has continuously supported changes to the constitution that would give states greater autonomy and less reliance on the federal government.
Related Article: Hope for change: Nigeria’s road to recovery
Ethnic differences, inadequate institutions, bad leadership, and historical difficulties are all major factors in Nigeria’s struggle to become a single nation-state. Nonetheless, successful models from nations like Singapore and India show that national unity is achievable with robust institutions, capable leadership, and inclusive government. Achieving this objective requires putting judicial changes into place, bolstering federalism, encouraging economic inclusion, and enhancing civic education. Nigeria has a greater chance of becoming a stable, successful, and cohesive country if it can choose visionary, selfless leaders who are prepared to handle its challenges.