A Philosophical Reflection on the Challenges of Ethno-Religious  Diversity and its Implication for National Unity in Nigeria

Authors

In point of fact, the question that agitates the mind is; Can Nigeria ever be free from

the virus of ethnic consciousness and religion? The need to answer this question is

fundamental to the future of Nigeria as a nation. This paper therefore examines the

effects of ethno-religious diversity on the national unity. It examines the future of

the political, social and economic status of Nigeria given the present experiences in

the country. This paper employs the analytic and critical method of philosophy with

the view of showing both the positive and negative influence of ethnicity and

religion on the overall development of Nigeria. The central argument of this paper

is that ethnic and religious consciousness is so high that every policy of government

at different levels is assessed from the standpoint of its impacts on the wellbeing of

particular ethnic groups rather than on the country as a whole. Our position is that

effort should be made to address the issues which promote negative ethno- religious

consciousness in order to effectively reduce the problem of uneven development in

our nation.

Department of Philosophy, University of Benin, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria.