Nigeria’s nationhood crisis: Why unity remains elusive and the path forward

Abstract

Despite being Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria grapples with persistent underdevelopment, widespread insecurity, and political dysfunction. This study explores the nationhood crisis at the heart of Nigeria’s challenges, arguing that Nigeria operates as a territorial state rather than a cohesive nation with emphasis on historical, political, and socio-economic analyses, the study traces the roots of disunity to colonial amalgamation, elite manipulation of ethnic divisions, and unresolved grievances such as the Nigerian Civil War. It examines the consequences of a fragmented identity on governance, security, and economic performance.  There is a need for two transformative pathways to nationhood: visionary leadership capable of redefining national identity and a renegotiated federal structure that empowers regional autonomy and equity. Through a synthesis of contemporary data and policy recommendations, the study posits that Nigeria risks state failure and lost generational potential without deliberate efforts to build unity. There is a necessity for a bold political courage to heal historical wounds and construct a shared national future.