Identity and Identity Politics: Leading Nigeria to a State of Perpetual Instability?

The political discourse in Nigeria is centred on who is and who is not; where one is from, or not, as well as what religion or culture one practices or does not. The plurality of the State is constantly being exploited by the political class to divide the citizenry along ethnic, religious, lingual and cultural lines which undoubtedly is inimical to development. Although, not a determinant for conflict, diversity in Nigeria has unjustifiably sparked ethnic, communal, religious and racial skirmishes which when left unchecked entrenches separatism, secessionism, insurgency, widespread poverty, marginalization, division, inequality and ethnic restiveness which will drive the country to a state of fragility. Identity can be said to exist on different levels; ethnic, state, national, transnational, and global identity. Each of these is approached at either personal or collective capacity and is often given preference by the parties involved due to what they stand to benefit from the group. This is why individuals may be found giving undue prominence to the group at the expense of the State’s interest. The paper thence sought to assess Nigeria’s tortuous experience with identity and identity politics with particular reference to ethnic, religious and lingual challenges whilst arguing that identity consciousness has overtaken national consciousness, thus making ethnic-hegemony-rivalry the norm. It is however recommended that groups with strong religious loyalties should be enlightened on the need to compromise