A THEORETICAL REVIEW OF ETHNIC IDENTITY AS IMPEDIMENT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper is a theoretical review of ethnic identity as an impediment to sustainable development in Nigeria. Ethnic identity has continued to create wide spread division among Nigerians, bringing about instability and insecurity to lives and property. The menace has impeded the efforts toward achieving sustainable development in Nigeria. The paper adopted the Social Identity Theory developed by Tajfel and Turner in 1979 as the theoretical framework. The methodology utilized in this paper is essentially documentary review of literature and statistical data analysis of ethnic identity as an impediment towards achieving sustainable development. The paper argues that with the return of democracy in 1999, the country reinforced the trend with series of violence which affect sustainable development. This created division, anxiety and fear among Nigerians resulting in ethnic killings, which hindered Nigeria’s match toward sustainable development. The trend has affected sustainable development as every state of the nation is bugged by ethnic identity crisis. The trend is compounded by the so-called federal character principle or quota system. The paper concludes that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable development with the current problem of ethnic identities and recommends the abolition of the idea of identity construction that has led to ethnic identities and hindered the achievement of sustainable development. The paper also recommends that the national assembly should repeal the Act establishing the Federal Character Principle or Quota System in Nigeria.