“NATION AT COLLAPSEâ€: A REAPPRAISAL OF NATION-BUILDING IN NIGERIA, 1967 - 2003

Abstract

The concern for Nation-building as a policy of government to promote state development in societies with heterogeneous ethnic and religious divisions, characterized by political instability, conflict, underdevelopment, insurgencies and human development challenges is crucial. This study examines “Nation at collapseâ€: A Reappraisal of Nation-building in Nigeria, 1967 - 2003. This paper interrogates various policies and programmes targeted for achieving nation-building, failures, and challenges in Nigeria. Secondary data and historical method of analysis were used in this study. The paper argues that corruption, marginalization, mismanagement, inequalities, weak states, repression, exclusion; the illegitimate and lack of implementation of nation-building policies by the various past governments in promoting national growth and integration are the problems of nation-building in Nigeria. The study concludes that nation-building in Nigeria has proved to be an ambitious undertaking, which expectations are far from being realized. Thus to overcome this quagmire, the legitimate aims, and goals of nation building in Nigeria should be re-examined.