The Evolution of the Nigerian State from the Colonial Era through the Present Democratic Dispensation

Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject Politics - Region: Africa, , language: English, abstract: This paper explores the evolution of the Nigerian state from the colonial era through the present democratic dispensation and maintains that the only legacy bequeathed to the country by Western imperialism that has assumed independence is conceivably religion and/or ethnicity. It is the position of the paper that religion and ethnicity have more than any phenomenon significantly militated against the evolution of the country into a nation state. This underscores continuous agitation for sub-regional autonomy and secessionist attempts by the Eastern region of the country as witnessed in the Biafra civil war of 1966. The Nigerian state has grappled with threats to nationhood since independence as several irredentist movements have truncated the maturation of the country into a nation state. Similarly, gross failure of leadership aided by corruption of political actors has stifled the transformation of the country beyond the colonial partitioning of 1914. The secularity of the Nigerian constitution has been interminably jettisoned in the pursuit of scarce social goods by political actors as amply demonstrated in the imposition of Sharia law in some northern states of the country. This has heightened religious and ethnic consciousness of citizens thereby constituting significant drag on the country's march to nationhood. The paper advocates the recognition of the country's plurality and diversity as building blocks of unity and national integration. Furthermore the de-politicization of religion and ethnicity are hereby conversed for the development of a robust and virile Nigerian nation.

Kavwam Stanley Augustine hails from Jos, Plateau State Nigeria. He holds a Diploma in Law, B.sc in Social Work and Administration and M.sc in Social Work from the University of Jos respectively. His research interests include but not limited to Conflict and Peace building, Social Work with Disaster victims and Medical Social Work. His other works include; Social Disorganization and Youth Organized Violent Behaviour in Jos-Bukuru Metropolis: 2011-2013. The Impact of Ethno-religious Conflicts between 1994-2008 on the Socio-economic Development of Plateau State. Young People and the Challenge of Insecurity; Changing the Narratives for Sustainable Development in Plateau State, among others.He is a world Bank consultant and lecturer in the department of Social Work, Federal University of Lafia Nasarawa State Nigeria and a doctoral student in Social Work specializing in Conflict Management and Group Dynamics. He is the Chairman Association of Nigerian Authors Plateau State and Chairman Forum of State Chairmen of ANA. He lives in Jos.