NIGERIAN STATE: RECONSTRUCTING THE DRIVE TOWARDS NATIONHOOD

Abstract

This paper projects reconstruction of nationalism in the Nigerian state. Literature works were preoccupied with model of nationalism that preserves ethnic sentiment at the expense of true nationalistic posture in a multi ethnic society like Nigeria. Despite the pseudo nationalism over past decades or century in the post-colonial dispensation, Nigeria is entangled with ethnic distrust capable to detail national unity. Against this backdrop, the paper is design to identify model of nationalism capable to bridge gap in the lacuna of national unity. The paper is a review of historical records and archives which provide materials for discussion. It is evident in the literature that nationalism in Nigeria is ethnic constructed which found strength of unification among ethnic peoples. Dominant version of nationalistic construction by pan African apologies fell in the sentiment of ethnic bias and priority. This doctrine or nationhood only suited ethnic ego against national unity. Whereas there was suitable ground upon which nationalism can be reconstructed which suited collectivistic posture of nationalism and spirit of nationhood. This derived from Negritude philosophical disposition of nationalism that upholds civic nationalism against ethnic nationalism. Nationhood of Nigeria flourished by spirit of civic commitment which reproduce sense of loyalty to state. The paper derived model suitable to promote nationhood on the reconstruction of Negritude or otherwise national socialism. This provides leeway for robust national unity.