







































Communication, Society and Media 
ISSN 2576-5388 (Print) ISSN 2576-5396 (Online) 

Vol. 1, No. 1, 2018 
www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/csm 

27 

Original Paper 

Nigeria’s Unity, Development and Civil Society: The Imperative 

of Good Governance 
Emma E. O. Chukwuemeka1*, Walter Ezeodili2 & Aloysius Aduma2 

1 Department of Public Administration, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria 
2 Department of Public Administration, University of Science and Technology Enugu, Enugu State 
* Emma E. O. Chukwuemeka, Department of Public Administration, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, 

Nigeria 

 

Received: April 22, 2018         Accepted: May 7, 2018        Online Published: May 16, 2018 

doi:10.22158/csm.v1n1p27                     URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/csm.v1n1p27 

 

Abstract 

Before the arrival of the British imperialist, there was no united entity called Nigeria. There was also 

nothing like political infrastructure known as “regions”. Nigeria comprises of about 250 ethnic groups 

who were doing things as entity of their own before the British colonizers integrated Nigeria to be one. 

The merger could be described as “forced union”. The introduction of indirect rule by the British 

imperial master orchestrated divide and rule in Nigeria, it also gave rise to ethnic consciousness. It is 

on this backdrop that this study evaluated the role of governance in Nigeria’s unity with a view to 

identifying the areas of problems. Survey research method was adopted. Data collected through 

questionnaire were analyzed using Z-test. Myriads of factors were identified as responsible for disunity 

and separatist agitation in Nigeria. The factors were critically discussed and suggestions proffered. 

Essentially it is the position of the paper that there should be reduction of scarcity and inequality 

through revolutionary development. Development which should be predicated on equity and fairness. 

The rotation of power to ensure that all ethnic groups are given opportunity is also recommended. Also 

the paper recommended that the emphasis on ethnicity/tribe or place of origin in official forms should 

be abolished. 

Keywords 

unity, integration, leadership, ethnicity, good governance 

 

 

 

 



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1. Introduction 

The trouble with Neo-colonial Nigeria is simple and squarely a failure of leadership (Achebe, 1983). 

There is nothing wrong with our land, climate, bureaucracy, political ideology and public policy or 

anything else. The problems are multifarious ranging from “Nigerian factor”, ethnicity, corruption, 

poor policy implementation, politics of balanced federalism, unwillingness or inability of the leaders to 

rise to the responsibility of their calling, lopsidedness in the sharing of democracy dividend and 

self-serving leadership. To say the least, Nigeria is at a critical stage of what I am wont to describe as 

fledgling democracy. Those in power tend to serve only the people in their ethnic bloc. Same goes with 

distribution of political appointment (Igwe, 2017; Chijioke, 2014). The problems are too numerous to 

mention. However the crucial ones are discussed in turn in this treatise.  

 

2. Statement of Problem 

Basically, governance refers to the use of political authority and exercise of political control to manage 

state resources for social and economic development (Tony, 2010). It is also described as the process by 

which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for 

development. In this case and as Potter (2000) notes, governance entails development management, 

equity and fair play. However, when the word good is prefixed to it entails efficient and effective 

management of the resources of the state, and ensuring that same is equitably distributed. Good 

governance again and according to UNESCAP (2010) is closely linked to the extent to which 

government is committed to improving public welfare and responsive to the needs of its citizens, 

competent to ensure rule of law and order and deliver public services, create an enabling policy 

environment for productive activities and equitable and democratic in its conducts  

Nigeria as multi ethnic State has a catalogue of leaders but each applied lopsidedness in distribution of 

social amenities which in multitude of cases result in conflict among the federating units. Distribution 

of political and public service appointments are based on ethnic cleavages and party loyalists. The 

political and administrative inertia have resulted in mediocrity in the public service and has also 

impaired uneven development. These abnormities have heightened separatist agitation and 

self-determination. 

To say the least, Nigeria federalism is beset with structural imbalance. But true federalism implies that 

the constituent or federating units should pursue their own developmental programmes at their own 

pace, utilizing resources within their territory and under their control. But Nigeria’s federating units 

continue to be on the increase resulting in greater pressure being put on available resources. Such 

pressure makes it impossible for any unit to get fully satisfied with regard to its shares.  

 

 

 



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3. Objectives of the Study 

The broad objective of this study is to critically evaluate the working of Nigeria unity and good 

governance The specific objectives therefore are : 

(a) To examine the effect of lopsidedness in distribution of social amenities on separation agitation. 

(b) To examine the extent lopsidedness in distribution of political and public service appointments pose 

threat to Nigeria’s unity.  

 

4. Hypotheses 

(a) There is a relationship between lopsidedness in distribution of social amenities and separatist 

agitation in Nigeria. 

(b) Bias in the distribution of political and public service appointments pose threat to Nigeria’s unity. 

 

5. Literature Review 

5.1 Conceptual Framework 

Good Governance: Basically, governance refers to the use of political authority and exercise of political 

control to manage state resources for social and economic development (Tony, 2010). It is also 

described as the process by which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and 

social resources for development. In this case and as Potter (2000) notes, governance entails 

development management. However, when the word good is prefixed to it entails efficient and effective 

management of the resources of the state, (Tony, 2010). Good governance again and according to 

UNESCAP (2010) is closely linked to the extent to which government is committed to improving 

public welfare and responsive to the needs of its citizens, competent to ensure rule of law and order and 

deliver public services, create an enabling policy environment for productive activities and equitable 

and democratic in its conducts (UNESCAP, 2010). Inferring from the above definitions, we can take, as 

our working definition here, that good governance is the management of the affairs of the state in 

positive and progressive manners such that it is beneficial to the greater majority of the citizens and 

enhances national development. 

5.2 Promoting Good Governance: The Place of the Civil Society 

The place of the civil society in promoting good governance in any polity cannot be overemphasized. 

As Ayo (2013) argues, without civil society, government may just feel inclined to do always what it 

wants and with impunity. Indeed, as Kukah (1999) notes, good governance can be sustained not just by 

the good will of the ruling class but more by a concerted effort of organs and institutions of the civil 

society. In reality, it is essentially through the activities of the civil society that arbitrary use of state 

powers could be curtailed and good governance significantly institutionalized. Specifically, the civil 

society through its various activities serves as a catalyst for regime change, acts as a check on the state 

power and its excesses, promotes proper democratic practice and strengthens good governance 



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mechanism generally. For the purpose of a better appreciation of the roles of the civil society in 

promoting good governance, they are further discussed in detail under the following sub-leadings:  

5.3 The Role of the Civil Society in Promoting Democratic Practice  

The role of the civil society in promoting democratic practice is very critical particularly in the 

developing nations where democratic culture is low and severance institutions are weak (FOCAL, 

2006). Low democratic culture is usually manifested in one party dominance, unrepresentative 

legislature, rigged elections, lack of separation of powers, absence of rule of law etc (Ugwuanyi, 2013). 

In such societies, as noted by Liebenberg (2000), civil society becomes the building block of 

democracy as it helps in various ways to strengthen and sustain proper democratic practice. The roles 

and contributions of the civil society in promoting democratic practice specifically centers around the 

following: 

1) Promoting credible elections: The process of electing freely and fairly representatives of the people 

into political offices is one that has become all the more challenging in many states of the world 

especially in the developing nations. For instance, election in Nigeria has, over the years, been 

characterized by rigging, violence and other forms of electoral fraud and misconducts (Ugwuanyi, 2011; 

Nwaorgu, 2012). The end results of all these had usually included the coming into power of people not 

preferred by the electorates, electoral litigations and nullifications. It is in such circumstance that the 

role of the civil society in promoting democratic practice through educating the voters is necessary and 

prominent. The civil society, for instance, assists in ensuring free and fair election by educating the 

voters on the dangers of participating in or supporting electoral violence. Again, civil society educates 

the citizens on the importance of participating in the electoral process and the need to vote for the best 

candidates. In Nigeria, for instance, high level of political apathy arising from poor political 

representation, illiteracy, bad governance and violence during elections have largely affected the zeal 

and willingness of the people to come out to vote in elections (Ugwuanyi, 2011; Ukegbu, 2013). As 

such, the citizens need to be extensively educated to understand the importance and power of their 

votes and the implications of their refusal to participate in electoral process generally. The civil society 

plays this role of educating the voters through the media and by organizing seminars, rallies and 

workshops through which the citizens are enlightened on the need for participation in elections, the 

importance of free and fair elections and the gains in voting for the most suitable candidates. The civil 

society in Nigeria, for instance, played positive roles in enhancing the fairness, freeness and credibility 

of the 2011 general elections in Nigeria (Ukaegbu, 2013). 

2) Monitoring election processes and procedures: A fundamental important role of the civil society 

towards promoting proper democratic elections is the monitoring of elections to ensure that the basic 

rules and regulations guiding electoral conducts are followed. The civil society usually monitors 

elections by putting physical modalities in place for observing elections at the polling centres. This may 

include placing election monitors at the polling booths and arranging for live media coverage of 



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elections. Doing this effectively, however, requires a broad coalition of civil society organizations 

unconnected to political parties or candidates that can deploy neutral monitors at the different polling 

stations to ensure that voting and vote counting is free, fair, peaceful and transparent. Ogu (2011) 

argued that it may, indeed, be difficult to have credible and fair elections particularly in new and 

developing democracies unless the civil society plays this role. 

3) Engaging in the political education of the citizens: The civil society educates the citizens on their 

fundamental and political rights and obligations in democratic dispensation and state governance 

generally. The civil society helps to encourage and develop, through political education, the citizens 

skills to work with one another to solve common problems and to debate public issues and express their 

views and other values of democratic life like compromise and respect for opposing views (Emine, 

2000). They civil society can do this by organizing political programs, town hall meetings, opinion 

pools and political debates (Ukaegbu et al., 2013). 

5.4 The Role of the Civil Society in Limiting and Controlling the Powers of the State 

This is another vital area in which the civil society plays very important role. This role is very 

necessary in the developing states particularly those ones emerging from decades of dictatorship 

(FOCAL, 2006). Indeed, in such states, there is the need for the civil society organizations to check, 

monitor and restrain the powers of political leaders and state officials. Ukaegbu (2013, p 34) affirms 

this need in his comment thus  

When a country is emerging from decades of dictatorship as it is the case in most African countries, it 

becomes imperative to checkmate, monitor and restrain the powers of political leaders and state 

officials.  

The civil society perform this function by watching how state officials use their powers, the kind of 

policies or programmes that government formulates and implements and ultimately raising of concern 

or alarm about abuse of state powers and the implications of obnoxious policies and programmes. 

Usually, where the civil society perceives problem with given government actions or policies, it 

conscientizes the public, creates awareness about the implications of such government policies and 

through these galvanize the people or the masses into action against such policies. Through such 

actions, government could be pressurized into either reforming or changing such policies. Instance of 

such roles by the civil society in Nigeria include the agitation or demonstration against the Structural 

Adjustment Programme (SAP) in 1989. That demonstration notably championed by the National 

Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) eventually forced 

the government, under the leadership of president Ibrahim Babaginda, to introduce SAP relieve 

measures to cushion the bitting effects of the programe. 

Another instance is the respective agitations by the civil society against fuel price hikes in 1989, 1990, 

1993, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2012. In 2012, for instance, government increased fuel price from 

N65 to N140 per litre. The agitation against the hike principally organized by the Nigerian Labour 



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Congress (NLC) eventually compelled the government to reduce the price to N97 per litre. Again, the 

civil society in Nigeria played prominent roles in controlling the exercise of state powers by 

government leadership during the June, 1993 presidential election. The result of the presidential 

election was arbitrarily annulled by the military leadership then led by Ibrahim Babaginda who wanted 

to continue in office. The Activities of the civil society organizations notably, National Democratic 

Coalition (NADECO) and the Campaign for Democracy (CD) forced Ibrahim Babaginda to set up an 

Interim National Government (ING) and to step down from office (Kukah, 1999). In 2007, the civil 

society in Nigeria played another prominent role in controlling the exercise of state power by agitating 

against and eventually frustrating the Third Term Agenda of the president then Chief Olusegun 

Obasanjo. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was on the verge of introducing some political and constitutional 

reforms that were intended to enable him contest and continue, for the third time, as the president of 

Nigeria. All these, the civil society were able to do by mobilizing the support and solidarity of the 

masses or the citizens to agitate against those anti-people policies and programs. 

Beyond the use of mass agitation or demonstration to influence and control state powers, the civil 

society equally influences the way government or state powers is used through peaceful means 

(Ukaegbu et al., 2013). This could be by presenting their views in national, state or local government 

parliament, contacting individual members of the parliament and testifying before parliamentary 

committees. The civil society can also attempt to influence the content of policies and programs by 

establishing dialogue with the relevant government ministries and agencies and bobbing for policies to 

be formulated and implemented in a particular way. Indeed, the civil society need not just be in 

antagonism with the state. The fact that the civil society is independent of the state does not mean that 

it must always criticize and oppose the state. In some circumstances, the civil society may have to work 

towards strengthening the citizens support and respect for the state and promoting their patriotic values 

and positive engagement with it. With such respect and support to the state, the civil society can create 

positive relationship with the former and which can even result to more peaceful and positive 

monitoring and controlling of the state by the civil society.  

5.5 Development: A Theoretical Perspective   

In an attempt to define national development, it becomes imperative for us to examine first and 

foremost, the concept of development. Development refers to man’s progressive qualitative and 

continued improvement of human labour (Ugwu, 2014). It is first and foremost a phenomenon 

associated with changes in man’s creative energies. Development does not lie on products of the efforts 

of people to apply their creative energy to the transformation of local physical, biological and social 

cultural developments. The issue of development or under development in Nigeria argues Eze (2015) 

has been explained by three basic schools of thought: the modernization theory, dependency and 

Marxian model. 

 



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5.5.1 Modernization Theory 

The theory is championed by liberal scholars. They argue that underdevelopment is a natural stage 

(Udeze, 2010). They attribute underdevelopment especially in Nigeria to lack of skilled manpower, 

high incidence of corruption, politicization of ethnicity, absence of adequate institutional structures, 

non-availability of modern technology, inability of the third world countries to explore its national 

resources, absence of effective leadership Jenkins (2000). 

In the opinion of the school, the only way to overcome this is for third world countries to adopt open 

door policy, which will enable western technology and values to be transferred to Nigeria. In the final 

analysis, development will come through diffusion of capitalism and value. The mode of thinking has 

influenced Nigeria development strategies since independence.This theory has been widely criticized 

by scholars like (Johnpaul, 2010; Chukwuemeka, 2016, Udo, 1999). The argument is that after several 

years of pursuing an open door policy, the Nigeria society for instance is yet to attain a meaningful 

development. Therefore the school failed to provide answer to Nigeria economic predicament and 

under development. 

5.5.2 Dependency School  

This school is led by dependency scholars like Asogwa (2009), Thompson (1985) and Odibo (1988) 

which is a critic of liberal theory. The theory argues that Nigeria underdevelopment can only be 

attributed to her continuous interaction with international capitalism. The interaction, which is, based 

on unequal relationship has distorted Nigeria development and at the same time stagnated the 

development of its productive force. This relationship only helps the center to develop and the 

periphery to under develop. 

It is the view of this school that even after independence, this relationship has continued to exist. This 

is exploitative because the periphery constitutes into the production of the raw materials and consumes 

manufactured products. This type of relationship has been maintained and encouraged by the ruling 

class who are the agents of international capital. The school therefore recommends that for Nigeria to 

develop, it should delink from the world capitalist system, since her interaction with international 

capitalism is causing her underdevelopment. 

This theory has been criticized because (i) it lays much emphasis on external forces and ignores 

internal problems; (ii) It ignores class formation and class struggle, which is very vital in understanding 

underdevelopment; (iii) It ignores relations of production (who owns the means of production); (iv) 

The policy recommendations is vague—after delink, what next? 

However, despite the above defense, the theory helps us to identify the particular pattern of 

development experienced by Nigeria, which has continued to reproduce underdevelopment today. 

5.5.3 Marxian Theory 

The school agrees specifically with dependency theory by saying that Nigeria’s underdevelopment is as 

a result of her incorporation into the world capitalist system. It argues that although external factors are 



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important, other factors such as relations of production and class formation help in understanding 

Nigeria underdevelopment. It recommends that for Nigeria to develop, there must be a fundamental 

structural transformation of the society. Nigeria should not delink, but transform that relation of 

production. Therefore Nigeria can only develop by adopting socialist party as a mode of production. 

5.6 Features of Development 

(i) Self-reliance, i.e., self-generating growth a linkage between agriculture and industry must exist. 

(ii) Independent control of the economy to include nationalization of finance houses and monitoring the 

movement of money. 

(iii) Equalization of economic opportunities i.e. the re-organisation of production relation in agriculture 

and industries and socialization of the means of production, which runs counter to privatization. 

(iv) A developed country must have ability to solve internal problems. 

(v) A developed country must be able to supply the basic necessities of life to its citizens, i.e., food, 

clothes, shelter and health care services. So in discussing development, we don’t use the indices of 

Gross National Production (GNP), per capita income because this explains only the growth rate 

(Chukwuemeka, 2008). 

5.7 Underdevelopment 

By underdevelopment, we mean a situation in which the institution of a country in the periphery of 

international capital maintains a dependent relationship with one or several countries at the centre of 

international economy. Underdevelopment does not mean absence of growth, but it is characterized by 

unequal distributions, slow growth, and the sub-ordination of internal economics and political 

institutions to the influence from the center. It therefore means the loss of real economy. It is 

characterized by a high incidence of poverty and a distorted economy. We argue that a state can either 

be developed or underdeveloped. The word “developing” is deceptive. 

5.8. Features of Underdevelopment 

(i) Corruption 

(ii) Politicization of ethnicity 

(iii) Political hegemony and shenanigan 

(iv) Non availability of modern technology 

(v) Absence of effective leadership 

(vi) Cultural domination 

(vii) Lots of import substitution 

(viii) Marginalization of the peasantry 

(ix) Pre-dominance of a comprador bourgeoisie over the national bourgeoisie capital  

(x) Monopoly capitalism i.e. absence of competition because the industries are dominated by the MNCs 

leaving no room for new industries to spring 

(xi) Mono-cultural economy—dependent on mineral or one item for economic survival therefore 



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making it susceptible to uncertainties in international economy. Any change seriously affects them 

(xii) Enclave economy—suppliers of raw materials. The materials are unrefined and most of its labour 

forces are engaged here 

(xiii) Poverty of ideology—unidentified ideological interest. Underdeveloped country wallows in 

ideological confusion in the pursuit of development strategies 

(xiv) There is a divorce between resource and need, i.e., most underdeveloped third world countries are 

very wealthy in terms of natural resources endowment but poorest in the type of good and services 

provided for their citizens 

(xv) domination of commercial activities instead of production 

5.9 Causes of Disunity in Nigeria 

A wide range of factors are responsible for disunity in Nigeria which has raised the question whether 

we are still one Nigeria or not. This has also resulted to the fervent call for restructuring of the 

federation and agitations from different ethnic cleavages. Critical among others are: 

5.9.1 The Politics of Revenue Allocation and Resource Control 

Revenue allocation has been a problematic issue right from the colonial period (Chukwuemeka, 2016). 

This is predicated on the various committees or commissions that have worked on this subject. 

Revenue allocation, resource control, and the politics of true federalism have caused a lot of problems 

in Nigeria. The revenue allocation more often than not is suspected to favor some parts of the Country 

at the expense of the others. This has impaired even development and have created tension and 

instability in the system. 

5.9.2 Ethnic Consciousness and Ethnic Militia 

Ethnicity is the soldiering slogan or concept employed by the elites to mobilize and unify a category of 

people who may have a common culture, myth of common origin and inhabit a particular territory and 

who speak the same language. The objective indicator of oneness especially the myth of common 

origin and common language were manipulated by the elites particularly the petit-bourgeoisie to ensure 

a monolithic support in politics. Many theoretical efforts have been made to explain ethnicity in 

Nigeria. Prominent among them are the following three schools: 

5.9.2.1 Modernization Model 

The modernization scholars argue that ethnicity is an indicative of underdevelopment which will wither 

away as a non-modern or traditional society becomes modernized. For this school, to be modern is to 

acquire characteristics of western society by having more urban centres. A higher rate of literacy, fly 

over etc. 

5.9.2.2 Detribalization or Super- Tribalization School 

The school contends that the emergence persistence and silence of ethnicity are facilitated and 

exacerbated by the very process of modernization. Modernization encourages laissez faire competition. 

(True market economy) as resources and benefits are scarce, ethnicity thrives as a medium of 



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competition. Because the state of modernization is never even, given the national endowment of 

various groups in terms of resources and their varied exposure to modernization, competition is 

heightened between ethnic groups. 

5.9.2.3 Capture Theory 

The proponents of this school argue that competition between ethnic groups in a heterogeneous politics 

should be seen in terms of the attempts by their political parties to capture power. The petit bourgeoisie 

who mobilize and manipulate the ethnic populace for support are the real propagators of ethnicity. 

Consequently, ethnicity is a mask for class privileged because ethnic movement may be created and 

instigated to action by the petit bourgeoisie in furtherance of their own special interest. 

Having captured power, the members of the party try to perpetuate their domination by placing the 

members of the ethnic group which the party represents in government positions and to ensure a 

concentration of government activities and amenities in its home based.  

 

6. Root Causes of Ethnicity in Nigeria 

Scores of factors could be adduced to have caused and heightened ethnicity in Nigeria argues Nnoli 

(1988). They are: 

1) The colonizers domination of social economic and political activities caused alienation among 

Nigerians. Because the Hausa people allowed the British imperialist to settle in their place first, they 

love them and made them see people from Ibo and Yoruba as different people. 

2) There was location of industries in areas of gainful exploitation without considering the need for 

inter sectional and inter regional balance in socio-economic achievements for this reasons, certain 

linguistic and communal home lands became better “developed” socio-economically than others. This 

imbalance deepens anti party between ethnic groups. 

3) The introduction of official forms and documents by the colonial bureaucrats containing information 

about the origins of the local people reinforcing ethno-centric sentiments of ethnicity and parochial 

loyalty of the colonized. 

4) The colonial policies kept the Nigerian tribes divided rather than wield them together. This they 

achieved through political policies like indirect rule, which was more or less divide and rule. The 

British oppressors made each tribal group to understand that they were important to themselves. 

5) Scarcity of jobs in the colonial civil service led to competition for employment among Nigerians. 

Those in authority in the bureaucracy tend to secure more jobs for their tribal groups. This heightened 

ethnicity. 

6) It should be understood that ethnicity served the colonialist as mechanism to divide the colonized 

and therefore maintain domination over them. The petit-bourgeosie who took over from the British 

oppressors continued to employ the same strategy. 

 



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7. Rise of Ethnic Militia and Ethnic Agitation 

The proliferation and emergence of ethnic militia in Nigeria is worrisome. The EGBESU, OPC, 

AREWA, MASSOB, MOSOB, IPOB, NIGER DELTA AVENGER, AFANIFERE, PERENNIAL 

PASTORALISTS/FARMERS CLASHES and other ethnic cleavages abound and are getting out of 

proportion. The invasion of oil companies by restive youths in the Niger Delta region, the incessant 

harassment of traders in Lagos, every day Herdsmen and farmers clashes in Plateau, Taraba, Benue, 

Zamfara and other states of Nigeria, persistent MASSOB/IPOB unrest in the Eastern states pose a lot of 

questions to the very ideal of success of government administration in Nigeria. 

The imbalance in the distribution of social amenities, employment, and distribution of appointments 

have heightened ethnic crises in Nigeria to say the least. The hegemonistic and chauvinistic tendencies 

in Nigeria democracy is pushing separatist agitators to call for secession. This poses a serious threat to 

Nigeria unity. 

 

8. Changing Morals of Politicians and Governing Elites 

The cherished tradition of elected representative serving the people and dying for the people is no 

longer tenable. The people are now dying for their elected representatives in multitude of cases. Most 

of our politicians preferred setting the whole house on fire provided the rat is caught. The 

reminiscences of Herbert Macualay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Belewa are now 

fairy tales.  

Today most politicians sought for state power and political space to serve people from their ethnic and 

tribal group on the expense of the vast masses of people in other regions in Nigeria. 

 

9. Bribery and Corruption 

Corruption has been defined by Nye (1958) as behavior, which deviates from formal duties of a public 

role because of (private clique) regarding pecuniary. This includes such behavior as bribery (use of 

reward) to pervade the judgment of a person in position of trust, nepotism (bestowal of patronage by 

reason of astrictive relationship rather than merit), extortion and misappropriation of public resources 

for private regarding uses. Today in Nigeria corruption has employers and employees. 

 

10. Nature and Ramification of Corruption 

Nature—The nature of corruption is primarily determined by socio-economic formation of the society. 

In a socialist society like Cuba, Soviet Union to mention a few, there is an outright limitation on the 

extent the individual could legally accumulate private property. The socialist prohibits private 

accumulation of property in a way that is detrimental to the interest of the vast majority of the people. 

In post-colonial and neo-colonial states like Nigeria, the prevalent mode of production is such that the 

capture of state power is simply the capture of authority to accumulate wealth by the ruling elites and 



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their allies, at the expense of the vast majority of down trodden masses. 

10.1 Ramification 

This may take three forms:  

-manipulation of government machineries 

-embezzlement acquisition of property and 

-skewed patronage, coercive intimidation. 

10.2 Causes of Corruption 

Corruption has been explained by two schools of thought: 

10.2.1 Modernization Model 

The school argues that corruption occurs as a result of the unresolved contradiction between the values 

of the traditional and modern societies. In other words, much of what is considered as corruption is in 

fact a continuation of traditional gift giving practices, which recently has been re-christened “PR” 

(public relations). Only the imposition of western form had transformed traditional gift exchange into 

corruption. It is further argued that corruption is more prominent in less developed countries because of 

great inequality in distribution of wealth, weakness of social and governmental enforcement 

mechanism and conflict between changing moral goals. 

10.2.2 Capture Model 

The school explains corruption in Nigerian from the point of view of the nature of the neo-colonial 

state. It argues that the use of state power for property accumulation tends to be logically linked with 

the weak economic base of the ruling class and their ambition to create a powerful economic base for 

themselves, their siblings and clients. Politics in Nigeria is generally conceived as a commercial 

venture. The concern of the politicians appear to be the capture of state power with which they could 

accumulate wealth for themselves and quickly too. It will appear that the endemic political corruption 

in Nigeria is caused by the social economic formation of the state. The phenomenon will be sustained 

and exacerbated by the nature of the ruling class and the role of state power as instrument of property 

accumulation. 

 

11. Methodology 

11.1 Research Design 

The survey was used to gather data on the basis of its usability with large samples as was the case with 

the present study where N=100. The study is largely interpretive because it focuses on qualitative and 

quantitative data. 

11.2 Sample 

Fifty seven respondents formed the sample for the study. The sample had diversity in terms of age, sex, 

social economic status, and experience among other variables. 

 



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11.3 Instrumentation 

Questionnaire items were used to source data from the respondents. The items sought to which the 

respondents understood the problem of governance in Nigeria as they were conceptualized in the 

literature review. The questionnaire was pilot tested and rated highly by raters with extensive 

experience in the use of the instrument for research purposes. The ease of access to the respondents by 

the researcher, allowed for a personal administration of the instrument which ensured hundred percent 

return rates thereby eliminating non-return bias. In depth interviews were conducted with the 57 

respondents as a follow-up to the questionnaire in order to glean the subtle aspects that questionnaire 

items could not adequately elicit. Interviews focused mainly on the respondents’ justifications for 

particular response options to questionnaire items. 

11.4 Data presentation and Analysis 

Responses that were relevant to the objectives and hypotheses formulated were used. The method 

applied in the analysis was difference in proportion, and, in testing the hypotheses formulated, Z-test 

was used. 

 

12. Presentation and Analysis of Data 

The aim of the analysis is to test for significant difference between the proportions of responses P1 and 

P2. Because the sample size was large and the parameter, assumed to be normally distributed, the test 

concerning that parameter is carried out using the Z-test. It is used in testing the hypotheses Ho: P1 = P2 

(i.e. P=0.5) as H1: P1 >0.5). This is obviously a one-tailed test. 

Z = /P1 – P2/ 

                  Pq 

                    n    

Where 

P1=the proportion of the population that say “yes” 

P2=the proportions of the population that say “No” 

q=1–P 

P=0.5 

n=sample size 

Test of Hypotheses 

Ho: There is no relationship between lopsidedness in the distribution of social amenities and separatist 

agitation in Nigeria. 

H1: There is relationship between lopsidedness in the distribution of social amenities and separatist 

agitation in Nigeria. 

 

 



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Table 1. Balanced Fiscal Federalism Could Only Be Achieved in Nigeria if Federal Government 

Adjust Ensure That There Is Even Distribution of Social Amenities 

 Yes N o Total 

No of respondents 39 18 57 

Proportion 0.68(P1) 0.32(P2) 1.00 

 

/0.68 – 0.32/ 

 

(0.5)  (0.5 

   57    

 =5.4                                     

Using the normal distribution table at a = 0.05, the tabulated Z–value is 1.645, hence one-tailed test for 

equality of the two; proportion (i.e., Ho) is rejected in favour of H1. Conclusion therefore, is that P1 is 

significantly greater than P2. 

Decision—Since the value of Z-calculated is greater than the value of Z-tabulated, the Ho is rejected. 

Conclusion: P1 is significantly greater than P2 which means that there is no relationship between 

distribution of social amenities and separatist agitation in Nigeria.  

Hypothesis 2 

Ho: Bias in distribution of political and public service appointments do not pose threat to Nigeria’s 

unity. 

H1: Bias in distribution of political and public service appointments pose threat to Nigeria’s unity. 

 

Table 2 

 Strongly 

agree 

Agree Disagree Not sure Total 

No of 

respondents 

28 19 7 2 58 

Proportion 0.5 0.33 0.13 0.04 1.00 

 

Since there are four responses, the natural thing is to assume, under Ho that the proportion of responses 

are equal, hence assumption is that P=0.25. 

P1=0.5, P2=0.33, P3=0.13 and P4 =0.04 and compare them each with the population proportion of 

P=0.25. 

For “Strongly agree” 

Ho: the proportion of P1 is 0.25 (i.e., P1=p) 

H1: P is not equal to 0.25 (i.e., P1=P) 



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Test statistics Z, since sample size is large (i.e>30) 

So        /P1 – P/ 

                                        

         P(1-P)  

         n 

                  = /0.5 - 0.251/      

                            (0.25) (0.75) 

         56 = 4.32                                             

 

For α = 0.05, for a two-tailed test, Z from the normal distribution table is 1.96. 

Decision: Since the calculated Z (4.32) is greater than the tabulated Z (1.96), Ho is rejected. 

Conclusion therefore is P1 ≠ P hence, sufficient evidence abound that the proportion of respondents who 

strongly agree is significantly greater than 0.25. 

There is also need to test “Agree” responses for significant difference from P1=0.05. 

The procedure is to carry on as before. 

Z                           = /0.5-0.251 / 

 

                             (0.25) (0.75)     = 1.38 

     56 

For α=0.05, the tabulated Z=value is 1.96.Since Z=calculated is 1.38 which is less than 1.96m Ho is 

accepted. Conclusion is that the proportion who agree to the opinion is not significantly higher than 

0.25. 

For “disagrees” an “not sure” pinions, it can be seen that the figures are very small. Considering the 

result from 0.33 figures an inference can be made that the outcome of the “disagree” and “not sure” 

opinions will not be significantly higher than 0.25. And this will amount to testing the obvious. 

Conclusion: Bias in the distribution of political and public service appointments pose threat to Nigeria’s 

unity. 

 

13. Recommended Solutions to Foster Nigeria Unity 

1) Nigeria should be restructured—We need a mutually agreed arrangement that allows every 

component to take charge of the security of lives and properties of citizens through decentralized 

policing, while the Federal Government takes care of defending our territorial integrity. We need a 

federal arrangement where the best excel and does not have to be sacrificed in the name of federal 

character. We need a structured federation where every Nigerian can live and ply his or her business 

without any form of discrimination, molestation and destruction of his or her life and property on the 

flimsiest excuses. 



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2) Reduction of scarcity and inequality through revolutionary development programme which should 

be predicated on equity. 

3) There should be uniform formulation and application of rules, norms and regulations throughout the 

country. 

4) Power should rotate between the East, South, West and North. There should be no slogan like “born 

to rule” or “born to serve”. 

5) The emphasis on ethnicity/tribe or place of origin in official forms should be abolished. 

6) Emphasis should be shifted from the sharing of national cake to creative production of the cake 

7) Wealth should be de-emphasized as basis for social status and replaced by the level of creative 

production of goods, services and ideas. 

8) It is also recommended that the funds meant for the creation and consideration of states and local 

governments should be diverted to create employment for teaming youths and also the formation of 

viable associations for poor peasants, workers, petty traders, artisans and the underemployed and 

unemployed. 

9) Consultation, dialogue, friendly and informative public relations will go a long way in reducing high 

tide of hostility, mistrust and suspicion among the major stakeholders in Nigerian wealth sources. 

 

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