ETHNICITY AND RELIGIOUS CRISIS IN NIGERIA: CONCERNS FOR SOCIO-POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The paper seeks to overview the potential threat of the persistent ethno-religious crises to the continued existence of Nigeria. It is argued within the paper that the constant clashes between the different ethnic and religious groups in the country could if not arrested, spell down for Nigeria. However, it contended that these crises are deliberately manipulated by the political and economic elites who run under the umbrella of ethno-religious discord in order to achieve certain pecuniary interest. The paper concludes that these crises can only deter national development and integration but will not lead to the total collapse of the state. It is suggest that Nigeria should embark upon national integration to avert the recurring primordial clashes.