POLITICS OF ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL INTEGRATION

Abstract

Nigeria is a nation so ethnically divided and religiously polarized. Almost on a daily basis, Nigeria experiences ethnic or religious conflicts in one state or the other and shows that the questions of national integration remain a problem. The article examined why after fifty years of independence as a nation, Nigeria is still far from achieving national integration. Ethnic conflict and religious intolerance are identified as factors threatening national integration in Nigeria. In view of the severe consequences of conflicts and their overall implication for the corporate existence of Nigeria, the ethnic groups or nationalities should be integrated into one nation state regardless of their dissimilarities. Enlightenment campaigns should be encouraged and extended to both religious bodies and various ethnic groups in Nigeria on the need for peace at all times and why the rule of law must be observed in dealing with certain issues.