Ethno-religious intolerance as an impediment to nation building: the Nigerian experience Hassan Muritala Babatunde, Umar Muhammad Bello Political Science Department, Federal University Dutse, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria Online published on 7 June, 2014. Abstract The growing trends of ethno-religious intolerance and the attendant conflicts in Nigeria do not only constitute a major threat to the corporate existence of the country but are also working against democracy and its sustainability. Against this background, this paper argues that nation building continues to be a mirage in Nigeria as sectional, regional, tribal, religious, group and individual interests rather than national interests are promoted. This is despite the integrative mechanisms that are in operation in the country. The paper insisted that Nigeria's endless search for nationhood is reflective of the insincerity of the political elite who exploit the religious and ethnic diversity of the country to feather their nests. The implication of this is that the glue of shared values in the polity is increasingly melting as citizens lose a sense of their collective citizenship and unity of purpose. An extensive political education and mass mobilization, among other suggested measures, is therefore imperative in order to free the people from this elitist grip and indoctrination so as to be able to build a united Nigeria in the midst of ethno-religious plurality. Top Keywords Conflict, Diversity, Ethnicity, Fanaticism, Integrative mechanism, Nation, National integration, Religion. Top |