Colonialism and Ethnic Crisis in Nigeria: Barrier to Nation Building and National Development Drive

Abstract

This article has the interest to explore the influence of development on developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, which are largely constitute of the so-called the third world countries. It is found that since the colonial rule, these countries are still battling with the problem of elemental sentiment of ethnicity within the plan of prosperous development. Specifically taking Nigeria – a heterogeneous nation with multiple ethnic groups still face clear obstacles to develop as a united and prosperous. This article views that the ineffective inter-ethnic relationship among the multiple ethnic groups in Nigeria has created ethno-religion crises. Various measures have been taken up by the successive governmental administration in the country, yet forms of ethnic crises still broadly manifested through ethnic suspicion, ethnic rivalry, ethnic crises and civil war. These ugly ethnic manifestations block the development of nation building and national unity in Nigeria.