The position of minority identity in Nigeria and its effect on governmental policies

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spelling 10998 https://intelek.unisza.edu.my/intelek/pages/view.php?ref=10998 https://intelek.unisza.edu.my/intelek/pages/search.php?search=!collection407072 Restricted Document Article Journal application/pdf 15 1.6 Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 20 Paper Capture Plug-in UniSZA Unisza unisza 2015-10-14 13:10:38 5147-01-FH02-FUHA-16-06233.pdf UniSZA Private Access The position of minority identity in Nigeria and its effect on governmental policies International Journal of Research In Social Sciences 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. 5 4 89-103
spellingShingle The position of minority identity in Nigeria and its effect on governmental policies
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.
title The position of minority identity in Nigeria and its effect on governmental policies
title_full The position of minority identity in Nigeria and its effect on governmental policies
title_fullStr The position of minority identity in Nigeria and its effect on governmental policies
title_full_unstemmed The position of minority identity in Nigeria and its effect on governmental policies
title_short The position of minority identity in Nigeria and its effect on governmental policies
title_sort position of minority identity in nigeria and its effect on governmental policies