The Nigerian Question?

What is the Nigerian Question you may ask, it is not a unique phenomena solely to Nigeria, but to Africa. However, as a concerned Nigerian I apply the " African Problem" to Nigeria.

This blog is dedicated to Nigerians in particular but is not restricted to others.

Africa is ridden with various problems from poverty and corruption to an unconscious identity crisis. The Nigerian Question or the should is say in more genral terms the problems in Nigeria are to a large extent a microcosm of the probelms Africa as a continent face.

Nigeria is divided in more ways than one from religion to culture to language. The next logical thing to ask is then Why are we a country? If there are so many divides... I will leave that question to the British as our colonial masters saw it fit to bring us together despite our differences. Nigeria is still a relatively young country however, too old to be blaming its colonial masters hence we ask what is the next step? that my friends is the Nigerian Question: there are many facets to this question.. such as do we break up according to tribal origins or religion or do we unite despite our differences and work together as a Multi-cultural unit like the USA, UK etc.

I personally beleive that a divide would be detrimental for all sides as we will both become much weaker nations and as history has shown it is not a good idea (reference to the Nigerian Civil War/ Biafran war 1967). On that note, this unity of ours still shows a lot of weakness, should it be worked on? or should a conscious effort be made to form a cohesive union resulting in a Hybrid that aims to subsequently form just one faction or should there be one dominating faction that expands ends up sucking in the other factions as is the case in Italian History (Piedmont-Sardinia under Victor Emmanuel II/ Cavour or Germany under Prussian King Kaiser Wilhem II/ Otto Von Bismarck).

Nigerians have no identity rather tribal loyalties and even within that divides exist.
The Three Main Tribes are Yoruba(SW/W), Hausa(N), Igbo (E).The Hausas hold a larger land mass and historically had a better structured monarchial/administrative system whereas during colonial times the Yorubas dominated due to education while the Igbos immensely important for their financial capabilities and enterprise have been able to stay siginificant although a considerable blow to this factions influence due to their tainted involvement in the prelude to the Nigerian Civil War.

I'm off to bed now....