The position of minority identity in Nigeria and its effect on governmental policies
The notion of minorities in Nigeria is a complex one, while there is a broad agreement on the status of minority ethnic groups, Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo are considered the majority by virtue of their large demographic size. The three accounted for roughly 60% of the populace, while hundreds...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2015
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/5147/1/FH02-FUHA-16-06233.pdf http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/5147/ |
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| Summary: | The notion of minorities in Nigeria is a complex one, while there is a broad agreement on the
status of minority ethnic groups, Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo are considered the majority
by virtue of their large demographic size. The three accounted for roughly 60% of the
populace, while hundreds of small ethnic groups that amounted to 40% are referred to as
ethnic minorities due to their smaller demographic size. The significant of demographic size
can be traced on historical processes, social forces and political power, especially during the
colonial system of indirect rule. The colonial had consolidated their access and control over
power and resources in the post-colonial era. Such control had paved way for domination and
subordination of minorities within the context of inter and intra-factional struggles for power.
The result had led inter-ethnic relations to be highly politicized and determining to a large
extent of who gets what, when and how? The issue of power domination also led to a
different perception on the system of government preferred. The dominant groups favored
centralization of government, while minority sought for decentralized control of power,
which they believed will provide a space for them to transcend the limitation of size in
gaining access to power and its benefits. This paper examines Nigeria's policies on minorities
in term of its historical and political aspects. How far it as affected the progress and stability
of the country since its independence to date, and what needs to be done to improve the
situation of the minorities in Nigeria. |
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