Power of Ethnic/Cultural Diversity in Nigeria
Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse society with over 370 distinct ethnic groups that witnessed conflicts arising from this ethnic and cultural diversity.
The preference for homogeneity was still present well into the 20th century, and it was even strengthened because of the occurrence of communal violence in the 1950's and 1960's. The violence in countries like India, Bangladesh and Nigeria strengthened political scientist in their theorems that ethnically diverse societies would lead to conflicts or they would undermine the loyalty towards the nation-state. It is important to have it in mind that social order, is dependent on a shared identity among the members of a society.
Conceptual Issues-:
To start with, ethnicity is conceptualized as " the mobilization or employment of ethnic identity and difference to gain advantage in situations of competition, cooperation or conflict.
Ethnicity encompasses the behavior of ethnic groups. Ethnic groups usually but not always based on myths or claims of common history, ancestry, language, race, religion, culture and territory. These must not be present before a group is so defined, the most important thing is that such seen as having a common identity that distinguishes it from the others. Most scholars agree on the basic constitutive elements of ethnic groups but disagree on how and why there were formed, why ethnicity occurs, why it occasionally result in violent conflict and what should be done to prevent it. Members of ethnic minority groups in Nigeria are faced with structural forms of exclusion and discrimination.
Cultural Diversity:
Culture is defined into two ways; a narrow definition, which focuses on cultural products and expressions, such as traditional dance, sculptures, theaters or buildings, and a broader view which sees culture as " the way we live".
Culture is a constructed phenomenon, created through human interaction, from inter-group to trans-generational. National governments emphasize national identity to increase social cohesion, and nation building. The challenge then is to make diverse cultural identities an integral part of national oneness. This is important in a country like Nigeria which has about 370 different ethnic groups.
Historical Background to Ethnic and Cultural Conflict in Nigeria
Ethnic and cultural conflicts in Nigeria are rooted in the 1914 merger of the Northern and the Southern protectorates by the colonial administration of lord Federick Lugard.
The amalgamation brought about the involuntary unification of historically and culturally diverse ethnic groups, some of which had been rivals in the pre-colonial times. For instance, Benin, at the height of its power from the 15th century, had established controls over some states in the fringes of present-day Northern Nigeria, including Igala and Nupe speaking areas, which, by virtue of their vassalage were compelled to pay tributes and tolls as vassals to Benin monarch. Benin had extended controls to the South and enjoyed Suzerainty over some Yoruba states, including Eko (now Lagos), Ondo, Ekiti. This influence of Benin over the Yoruba states had pitted against the declination of Oyo Empire before the British colonization.
The Oyo Empire, prior to its decline and fall, had wielded considerable amount of influence in the entire western parts of Nigeria and had also upturned the Benin hegemony to gain control of significant Benin provinces and former vassal states. Oyo's influence also resonated in Ilorin, Ebira land, Igala land and Nupe land. However, the relationship between the Yoruba and the Edo speaking people before colonialism had been like cat and mouse, which let to cold wars, mounting tension and mutual distrust. In the North, the fourteen Hausa states (Hausa Bekwai and Hausa Banza) were embroiled in a chaotic relationship of overlapping imperialism. Even seven legitimate states (Bekwai) had no love between them, let alone cultural or political synergy between the Bekwai and the illegitimate states (Benza). Kano rose to power at the expense of Gobir's decline, while Kororofa and Kebbi beseiged Kano and Rano to rise to power and fame on is so on record during the reign of Kebi under Kotal Kanta that the Hausa states reached their height of dis-unity. It took the intervention many decades later of the Islamic jihadist led by Othman Dan Fodio to forcefully unite the Hausa-speaking states under the Islamic religion.
In the South-South, as culturally homogeneous as they seemed, they were far from united, the Efiks and Ibibios were constantly at loggerheads, the Itsekiris and Urhorobos had several confrontations. The diverse tendencies among the ethnic nationalities in this region were capitalized upon by the Europeans to divide and rule and in the process establishing their hegemony and colonization. The act of merger by the European colonial powers merely forced the diverse ethnic groups of Northern and Southern protectorates into a single entity without consulting the various ethnic groups or their leaders. This autocratic and undemocratic British colonial policy marked the origin of ethnic conflicts in the country.
Managing Ethnic and Cultural Diversity for National Unity
The following three(3) assertions can be made about Nigeria-: Firstly, there is significant inequality within regions as well as nationally.
Secondly, state policies are likely to be highly regressive, with an extraordinary share of the state expenditures captured by national and regional elites. Thirdly, ordinary Nigerians as well as elite Nigerians tend to view their society in religious and ethnic terms. So therefore the questions we should ask our selves are:
(i) To what extent are the ethnic patterns in Nigerian politics the product of a primordial cultural diversity? (ii) To what extent are the product of a struggle for spoils in a specific institutional context? (iii) To what extent are the cause and the consequences of political conflicts? (iv) what constitutionally backed institutions can be developed to manage these ethnic/cultural diversity and conflicts? (v) How do we achieve National unity and peace in Nigeria?
Years before attainment of independence, Nigeria's constitutional development experiences were concerned with the principal goal of managing ethnicity, which had shown clear signs of subverting the nation building project. Federalism, the creation of regions and states and local governments, the shift from parliamentarism to presidentialism, the institutionalization of quota systems, the prohibition of ethnic political parties, the adoption of the federal character principle are some of the approaches that Nigeria has taken to manage ethnic diversity. These mechanisms have enjoyed the intellectual backing of institutionalist who posit that there is a connection between ethnic conflict or peace and the nature of political institutions. Several works on ethnicity in Nigeria have been committed to the examining the impact of these approaches to the management of ethnicity.
Verdict of such scholars who have examine the issues from different theoretical standpoints is that while these initiatives have solved some old problems, they have generated many unintended consequences that have exacerbated ethnicity. Suberu (2001) has noted with respect to revenue allocations and state creation:-
The establishment of nine separate commissions on revenue allocation since 1946 has led to neither development of an acceptable or stable sharing formula can be devised and incrementally adjusted to cope with changing circumstances.
Analyst have attributed the limitations of the ethnic management policies to improper implementation, distortion of visions and lack of political will some, thus, doubt the possibility of a state that generates predatory class that is endlessly looking for formulas to divide the Nigerian people implementing policies that promotes ethnic peace and harmony. Also, the viability of these new states created is unclear, with the exception of the oil producing states in the South. Some of these states have recently become conduits for the personal enrichment of the elites at the expense of alleviating poverty and creating job opportunities for the rest of the population.
There have been recent reports of disparities in the distribution of oil resources in Nigeria for many years. This continues issue has rekindled most of the recent ethnic violence in the oil producing Niger Delta states, unless this issue is resolved, the economic base of the country will be jeopardized. The constitution was drafted by military dictators and handed over to the people. It has not gone far enough to resolve the problems of ethnicity that the country has faced since independence.
National peace and unity in a multi-cultural states like Nigeria is unattainable without an entrenched public culture because this comprises the values shared by all groups and constitutes the common grounds on which diverse groups conceptualize and appreciate the state. National unity and its attached benefits, like democracy and political stability can be achieved only with the development and entrenchment of a supportive public culture.
The best way to address these threats to national peace is to recognize that unity does not mean uniformity, and that tolerating differences occasioned by socio-cultural diversity is far better than striving to wish them away. Nigeria can only survive and flourish in the 21st century on the basis of tolerance and accommodation of socio-cultural differences, rather than on a narrow minded pursuit of an exclusive and parochial self interest.
Conclusion:
It can be seen that ethnic conflict arises as a result of the denial of basic needs of access, identity, autonomy, security and equality, compounded by the autocratic roles played by the government and the military. Also, the violent conflicts in Lagos, Kano, and the Niger-Delta resulted in a more pattern of governance, which led to the denial of basic needs to the masses. Conflict management is more effective if government is devoid of corruption.
Further more, the role of good political leadership cannot be overemphasized, Nigeria has been less fortunate in its leadership. Ethnic-religious conflict in Nigeria have continue because Nigerian elites are corrupt and split along lines of religion and ethnicity. This has resulted in ethnic rivalry, suspicion and hostility among leaders without a bold leadership and articulate , conflict management, prevention and national unity and peace, will always be a mirage.
The preference for homogeneity was still present well into the 20th century, and it was even strengthened because of the occurrence of communal violence in the 1950's and 1960's. The violence in countries like India, Bangladesh and Nigeria strengthened political scientist in their theorems that ethnically diverse societies would lead to conflicts or they would undermine the loyalty towards the nation-state. It is important to have it in mind that social order, is dependent on a shared identity among the members of a society.
Conceptual Issues-:
To start with, ethnicity is conceptualized as " the mobilization or employment of ethnic identity and difference to gain advantage in situations of competition, cooperation or conflict.
Ethnicity encompasses the behavior of ethnic groups. Ethnic groups usually but not always based on myths or claims of common history, ancestry, language, race, religion, culture and territory. These must not be present before a group is so defined, the most important thing is that such seen as having a common identity that distinguishes it from the others. Most scholars agree on the basic constitutive elements of ethnic groups but disagree on how and why there were formed, why ethnicity occurs, why it occasionally result in violent conflict and what should be done to prevent it. Members of ethnic minority groups in Nigeria are faced with structural forms of exclusion and discrimination.
Cultural Diversity:
Culture is defined into two ways; a narrow definition, which focuses on cultural products and expressions, such as traditional dance, sculptures, theaters or buildings, and a broader view which sees culture as " the way we live".
Culture is a constructed phenomenon, created through human interaction, from inter-group to trans-generational. National governments emphasize national identity to increase social cohesion, and nation building. The challenge then is to make diverse cultural identities an integral part of national oneness. This is important in a country like Nigeria which has about 370 different ethnic groups.
Historical Background to Ethnic and Cultural Conflict in Nigeria
Ethnic and cultural conflicts in Nigeria are rooted in the 1914 merger of the Northern and the Southern protectorates by the colonial administration of lord Federick Lugard.
The amalgamation brought about the involuntary unification of historically and culturally diverse ethnic groups, some of which had been rivals in the pre-colonial times. For instance, Benin, at the height of its power from the 15th century, had established controls over some states in the fringes of present-day Northern Nigeria, including Igala and Nupe speaking areas, which, by virtue of their vassalage were compelled to pay tributes and tolls as vassals to Benin monarch. Benin had extended controls to the South and enjoyed Suzerainty over some Yoruba states, including Eko (now Lagos), Ondo, Ekiti. This influence of Benin over the Yoruba states had pitted against the declination of Oyo Empire before the British colonization.The Oyo Empire, prior to its decline and fall, had wielded considerable amount of influence in the entire western parts of Nigeria and had also upturned the Benin hegemony to gain control of significant Benin provinces and former vassal states. Oyo's influence also resonated in Ilorin, Ebira land, Igala land and Nupe land. However, the relationship between the Yoruba and the Edo speaking people before colonialism had been like cat and mouse, which let to cold wars, mounting tension and mutual distrust. In the North, the fourteen Hausa states (Hausa Bekwai and Hausa Banza) were embroiled in a chaotic relationship of overlapping imperialism. Even seven legitimate states (Bekwai) had no love between them, let alone cultural or political synergy between the Bekwai and the illegitimate states (Benza). Kano rose to power at the expense of Gobir's decline, while Kororofa and Kebbi beseiged Kano and Rano to rise to power and fame on is so on record during the reign of Kebi under Kotal Kanta that the Hausa states reached their height of dis-unity. It took the intervention many decades later of the Islamic jihadist led by Othman Dan Fodio to forcefully unite the Hausa-speaking states under the Islamic religion.
In the South-South, as culturally homogeneous as they seemed, they were far from united, the Efiks and Ibibios were constantly at loggerheads, the Itsekiris and Urhorobos had several confrontations. The diverse tendencies among the ethnic nationalities in this region were capitalized upon by the Europeans to divide and rule and in the process establishing their hegemony and colonization. The act of merger by the European colonial powers merely forced the diverse ethnic groups of Northern and Southern protectorates into a single entity without consulting the various ethnic groups or their leaders. This autocratic and undemocratic British colonial policy marked the origin of ethnic conflicts in the country.
Managing Ethnic and Cultural Diversity for National Unity
The following three(3) assertions can be made about Nigeria-: Firstly, there is significant inequality within regions as well as nationally.
(i) To what extent are the ethnic patterns in Nigerian politics the product of a primordial cultural diversity? (ii) To what extent are the product of a struggle for spoils in a specific institutional context? (iii) To what extent are the cause and the consequences of political conflicts? (iv) what constitutionally backed institutions can be developed to manage these ethnic/cultural diversity and conflicts? (v) How do we achieve National unity and peace in Nigeria?
Years before attainment of independence, Nigeria's constitutional development experiences were concerned with the principal goal of managing ethnicity, which had shown clear signs of subverting the nation building project. Federalism, the creation of regions and states and local governments, the shift from parliamentarism to presidentialism, the institutionalization of quota systems, the prohibition of ethnic political parties, the adoption of the federal character principle are some of the approaches that Nigeria has taken to manage ethnic diversity. These mechanisms have enjoyed the intellectual backing of institutionalist who posit that there is a connection between ethnic conflict or peace and the nature of political institutions. Several works on ethnicity in Nigeria have been committed to the examining the impact of these approaches to the management of ethnicity.
Verdict of such scholars who have examine the issues from different theoretical standpoints is that while these initiatives have solved some old problems, they have generated many unintended consequences that have exacerbated ethnicity. Suberu (2001) has noted with respect to revenue allocations and state creation:-
The establishment of nine separate commissions on revenue allocation since 1946 has led to neither development of an acceptable or stable sharing formula can be devised and incrementally adjusted to cope with changing circumstances.
Analyst have attributed the limitations of the ethnic management policies to improper implementation, distortion of visions and lack of political will some, thus, doubt the possibility of a state that generates predatory class that is endlessly looking for formulas to divide the Nigerian people implementing policies that promotes ethnic peace and harmony. Also, the viability of these new states created is unclear, with the exception of the oil producing states in the South. Some of these states have recently become conduits for the personal enrichment of the elites at the expense of alleviating poverty and creating job opportunities for the rest of the population.
There have been recent reports of disparities in the distribution of oil resources in Nigeria for many years. This continues issue has rekindled most of the recent ethnic violence in the oil producing Niger Delta states, unless this issue is resolved, the economic base of the country will be jeopardized. The constitution was drafted by military dictators and handed over to the people. It has not gone far enough to resolve the problems of ethnicity that the country has faced since independence.
National peace and unity in a multi-cultural states like Nigeria is unattainable without an entrenched public culture because this comprises the values shared by all groups and constitutes the common grounds on which diverse groups conceptualize and appreciate the state. National unity and its attached benefits, like democracy and political stability can be achieved only with the development and entrenchment of a supportive public culture.
The best way to address these threats to national peace is to recognize that unity does not mean uniformity, and that tolerating differences occasioned by socio-cultural diversity is far better than striving to wish them away. Nigeria can only survive and flourish in the 21st century on the basis of tolerance and accommodation of socio-cultural differences, rather than on a narrow minded pursuit of an exclusive and parochial self interest.
Conclusion:
It can be seen that ethnic conflict arises as a result of the denial of basic needs of access, identity, autonomy, security and equality, compounded by the autocratic roles played by the government and the military. Also, the violent conflicts in Lagos, Kano, and the Niger-Delta resulted in a more pattern of governance, which led to the denial of basic needs to the masses. Conflict management is more effective if government is devoid of corruption.
Further more, the role of good political leadership cannot be overemphasized, Nigeria has been less fortunate in its leadership. Ethnic-religious conflict in Nigeria have continue because Nigerian elites are corrupt and split along lines of religion and ethnicity. This has resulted in ethnic rivalry, suspicion and hostility among leaders without a bold leadership and articulate , conflict management, prevention and national unity and peace, will always be a mirage.
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