Formation of National Identity among Children in Southern Nigeria and the Analysis of their Attitude of In-group/Out-group: An Experimental Study

Abstract

The paper examined the dynamics of socializing southern Nigerian children amidst prevailing ethno-religious conflicts claiming lives and properties in the northern Nigeria; the consequences of the realities on in-group attitude and out-group attitude of the children were analysed. The study adopted an experimental design and was conducted in a classroom among 55 primary school pupils in Lagos, Southern Nigeria. Results suggested that Southern Nigerian children hold favourable attitudes towards their in-group, but showed unfavourable attitudes towards their fellow children in northern Nigeria (out-group), essentially, due to the prevailing crises in the area; consequently, they expressed a negative national identity. The implication of these findings on the quest for a cohesive national life in Nigeria and other African countries was discussed.

Keyword: Identity formation, Southern Nigeria, in-group, out-group, attitude.