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Journal of Nation-building & Policy Studies (JoNPS) Volume 1, Numbers 1 & 2, June/November 2017
About This Edition
ISSN : ISSN 2516-3132(Online) ISSN 2516-3124(Print)
Table of Contents :
ACADEMIC PAPERS
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Papers from Rogan Foundation?s Roundtable on ?Resolving the Crises in Nigeria?s Nation- building process?, held on Thursday, December 7, 2017, Abuja, Nigeria
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PRELIMINARY REMARKS
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MAIN PAPERS
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Book Review
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Editorial Note
Mouzayian V. Khalil-Babatunde 5
Ethnicity, Federal Character Principle and National Development in Nigeria: A Critical Evaluation DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-3132/2017/v1_2n1a1
Yahaya Yakubu 7
Like most states in the developing world, Nigeria was a product of an end to colonial domination, which saw the mashing up of various ethnicities and nationalities without consulting those affected directly. This act of amalgamation arguably birthed the inter-tribal, ethnic or communal conflicts that has plagued Africa’s most populous nation and hindered the attainment of an all-inclusive political community and prospects of national development. In response, nation building elites constitutionally conceived the principle of federal character aimed at amongst other functions, ensue for equitable redistribution of wealth and facilitate for access to resources across the underlying ethnic tribes that make up Nigeria. Decades after it adoption, Nigeria’s several attempt at attaining an all-inclusive political community remains largely unresponsive. In lieu, the study having objectively analyse the subject matter of federal character principle, posits ethnicity as a major impediment to national inclusion, integration and development as it also proposes for a review of the federal character principle, terming it as largely inefficient and unable to produce expected outcomes.
Conflict-Sensitive Governance, Sustainable Peace and Nation-building DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-3132/2017/v1_2n1a2
Martinluther M. Nwaneri 25
Nigeria bleeds on multiple points as a result of violent conflicts and a dysfunctional polity. Most of these are as a result of policies, actions and inactions of the government over time. The methodology employed is critical analysis of secondary data. This paper argues with empirical examples that governance is at the centre of the protractedness of conflicts and dysfunctionality in the country, as both the creator and sustainer. It posits that conflict-insensitivity on the part of government and the resulting violent conflicts threaten sustainable peace and encumber nation building. Thus, for meaningful nation building in Nigeria, there is need for government at all levels and policy makers to consciously become conflict sensitive.
Failing State and Its Consequences on Neighbouring States: The Nigerian Perspective DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-3132/2017/v1_2n1a3
Nneamaka Ijie Obodo and Olanrewaju Yusuf 37
Failed states or failing states as the case may be, appear to be a potential threat to other states in the international system. This can be likened to the fact that the world as of today is a global village where, what affects one state can have a corollary effect on other states. Going by the Fragile State Index of 2017 proposed by The Fund for Peace, Nigeria is ranked 13th for the second time in a row thus meeting with the 12 failed state index criteria. More alarming is the category she is found. Nigeria is spotted to be amongst states like Chad, Guinea, Republic of Congo, and South Sudan to mention a few with an indicator of high alert. Using Conflict Contagion theory and secondary sources of data collection, the paper observed that the failure of a state can be of dire consequences to contiguous states. It also noted that porous border has the tendency of fast tracking state failure. The paper concluded that the characteristics of a failed or failing state, exhibited by Nigeria is not enough to cause a collapse. However, measures such as the strengthening of her institutions, good governance and less dependence on foreign aids are needed to lift Nigeria from the negative category of “high alert” in the Failed State Index to the positive “stable” category in a bid to save her from imminent collapse.
Reflections on Ethno-Nationalism and Nation-building in Nigeria DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-3132/2017/v1_2n1a4
Chinedu S. Udeh 53
Ethno-nationalism has been a feature of the Nigerian state prior to independence and the phenomenon unarguably has undermined nation building and national integration due to poor management. Ethno-nationalism has come to be viewed from a negative angle in Nigeria. The paper argued that although ethno-nationalism has negated nation-building in Nigeria, it could be deployed for national integration and unity. The paper employed the Modernisation theory that sees ethno-nationalism as part of the larger problem of nation building. Secondary sources of data were used. The Internet also served as additional source of secondary material. Data sourced were qualitatively analysed using logical deductions and inferences. The paper noted that contributed to the granting of Nigeria’s independence and also provides a sort of self-esteem for the various ethnic groups in Nigeria. The paper observed that growing spate of ethno-nationalism has thwarted efforts at national integration and development in Nigeria in the post-independence years. It has created the use of violence and hate speeches in inter-ethnic conflict as well as made a mockery of equity, fairness and justice in Nigeria. The farmers –herdsmen conflict has ethnic undertone. In addition, Ethno-nationalism has exacerbated socio-economic inequality and disunity as well as promotes corruption in Nigeria. Finally, the paper proffered some strategies for improve inter and intra ethnic relations for nation building in Nigeria. These measures include greater devolution of power from the Federal Government to other federal units and the establishment of more social safety nets to mitigate the pervasive poverty and unemployment in Nigeria among others. The paper submits that ethno-nationalism has undermined the prospects and process of nation building in Nigeria but could be leveraged with purposeful nationalistic leadership to create political, social and economic unity in Nigeria.
Inventing a Country: Comparative Perspectives on the Politics of Nation-Building DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-3132/2017/v1_2n1a5
Chris Ngwodo 65
This paper challenges the popular view that Nigeria’s colonial provenance and heterogeneity render her fundamentally unviable as a nation-state. It argues that nation-building is an intentional project of socio-political engineering driven by elites and explores three techniques of nation-building that have been applied in other diverse societies namely the formulation of a transcendent national mythology, strategic social investments that serve as symbols of national unity and the definition of an external adversary in geostrategic terms. This paper assesses the history of these techniques in Nigeria and their prospects as mechanisms for deepening national integration.
Reflections on Nigeria?s Nation-building process DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-3132/2017/v1_2n1a6
Bonat Joab Tagwai (on behalf of Dr Garba Abari)85
Resolving the Crises in Nigeria?s Nation-building Process DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-3132/2017/v1_2n1a7
Issa Aremu 89
Separatist Agitations in Nigeria: Causes, Trajectories and Sustainable Solutions DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-3132/2017/v1_2n1a8
Sam Amadi 95
The Restructuring Debate: Lessons from Abroad, the Fears and Hopes Within DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-3132/2017/v1_2n1a9
Akin Fayomi 101
Basil Davidson?s ?Black Man?s Burden: Africa and the Curse of the Nation State? DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-3132/2017/v1_2n1a10
Kajit J. Bagu 127
[abstract]
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