Ethnicity, National Security And Political Participation In Nigeria

Abstract

Ethnic diversity in itself does not negatively affect national security. The it imposes to national security is a result of many factors combined with political opportunity that fundamental changes occurring in the political system exploited by ethnic and sectarian groups trying to change the political system to their advantage. Many factors such as political, historical, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and psychological factors may lead ethnic groups to rebel and impose threats to the national states of any country especially developing countries. Like in many developing countries that are highly fictionalized, ethnic crisis ranks among many security challenges Nigeria, making Nigeria loosely a country at war with itself. This situation magnifies Nigeria’s political instability and the efforts of security agencies to address the range of insecurity issues which beyond fictionalization crisis encircle terrorism, banditry, ritual killings, armed robbery and kidnapping. Currently, the Nigerian military is deployed in 34 out of the 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory in the country for one to understand the bandwidth of the national security challenges.  Counselling emerge as a potential avenue for addressing the issues related to ethnicity and national security in Nigeria. The study explores the significance of counselling as a proactive and preventive measure to mitigate the negative impact of ethnicity on national security. It emphasizes the importance of promoting inter ethnic understanding, tolerance, and conflict resolution through counselling interventions. It emphasizes the importance of early identification through counselling to prevent the escalation of ethnic tensions.