The Position of Minority Identity in Nigeria and its effect on Governmental Policies

The notion of minorities in Nigeria is a complex one, while there is a broad agreement on the status of minority ethnic groups, Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo are considered the majority by virtue of their large demographic size. The three accounted for roughly 60% of the populace, while hundreds of small ethnic groups that amounted to 40% are referred to as ethnic minorities due to their smaller demographic size. The significant of demographic size can be traced on historical processes, social forces and political power, especially during the colonial system of indirect rule. The colonial had consolidated their access and control over power and resources in the post-colonial era. Such control had paved way for domination and subordination of minorities within the context of inter and intra-factional struggles for power. The result had led inter-ethnic relations to be highly politicized and determining to a large extent of who gets what, when and how? The issue of power domination also led to a different perception on the system of government preferred. The dominant groups favored centralization of government, while minority sought for decentralized control of power, which they believed will provide a space for them to transcend the limitation of size in gaining access to power and its benefits. This paper examines Nigeria's policies on minorities in term of its historical and political aspects. How far it as affected the progress and stability of the country since its independence to date, and what needs to be done to improve the situation of the minorities in Nigeria.