THE EFFECTS OF ETHNICITY AND RELIGION ON NIGERIA POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Nigeria, home to more than 1000 languages, more than 250 ethnic grouping, many religious practices, and diverse cultures and history, was conquered by British imperialists in the 19th century. The foundation of the country that is currently known as Nigeria was established on January 1, 1914, when the Southern and Northern Protectorates united. Nigeria, which has 36 States and a Federal Capital Territory under its federal form of government, is home to more than 166 million people. With the three ethnic groups of Yoruba, Hausa/Fulani, and Igbo representing poles in the ongoing fight for the nation's political and economic resources, Nigeria is still been perceived, if tangentially, as a tripodal nation notwithstanding these component States. This study examined the impact of ethnicity and religion on Nigeria's political development. Nigeria, a country with a rich history of ethnic groups and religious affiliations, has seen these factors play significant roles in its political landscape. This paper explores how ethnic diversity and religious beliefs have patterned Nigeria political direction. The study utilized secondary methods of data collection to get a better picture of the issue at hand from existing literature. The study adopted the theory of Instrumentalism to explain how our political leaders sees ethnic and religious identities as tools or instruments to achieve political and economic goals. The study conclude that the two factors (ethnicity and religion) have negatively shaped Nigeria political development. The study recommend among others the need for electoral reforms that will encourage the formation of national, rather than ethnic or religious, political parties should be promoted.