Social Evaluation Survey on Ethnic Relations in Nigeria

As urban and rural centres in Nigeria experienced population explosion in ethnic composition, ethnic disharmony and apathy increased over social and economic policies of the government. State sovereignty can no longer be regarded as only for protection against external interference, but as a charge of responsibility, whereby the state is made to be accountable for both internal and external mandates. In Africa, states have failed to take the responsibility for their citizens' welfare. This, to some extent, had precipitated to politics of ethnic and national identity. "Who am I? Where do I belong?" This paper examines ethnic relations and development in Nigeria in the light of the present ethnic tension which has gripped the country in the past few years. The understanding of the feelings and thoughts of the people in terms of resource competition may help to find a common ground for solutions to ethnic inequality and conflict.