EFFECTS OF ETHNICITY ON NATIONAL INTEGRATION IN NIGERIA

This study explored the effects of ethnicity on national integration in Nigeria. The objective of the study is to examine the historical and contemporary impact of ethnicity on national integration, evaluate the effectiveness of policies aimed at promoting national unity and analyze the role of political institutions in managing ethnic diversity in Nigeria. The study employed documentary sources of data collection.The data collected were analyzed qualitatively through content analysis. The study anchored its theoretical framework on conflict theory. The theory was utilized because it aided the study to express the nature of ethnicity, and also put across its effects on the national integration in Nigeria. Fundamentally, the study established that ethnicity significantly affected national integration in Nigeria, as the political institutions had not played enough role in managing ethnic diversity, and the government policies on national integration had not been effective in mitigating ethnic divisions; therefore, had led to widespread of resentment, calls for restructuring and secession, which had steered toward social unrest, significantly hindering national integration/ development in Nigeria. It was recommended that the government at all levels should formulate effective policies and programmes to discourage the perceived gap in dominating national leadership at the expense of other ethnic groups, and also straighten the political institutions to reduce resentment, calls for restructuring and secession in Nigeria. The study further recommended urgent need for inclusive policies that will address the challenges of ethnicity, emphasizing the role of equitable resource distribution and national integration in Nigeria.