Urbanism, ethnic consciousness and affinity in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria, just like any other nation in the world, can boast of several urban centers or settlements. These urban centers emerged as a result of their historical role in the formation and development of the country. With urbanization, it is expected that an urban culture of individuality, transiency and anonymity arising from the heterogeneous population as postulated by Louis Wirth and Max Weber would have emerged. This Urban culture consequently would erase every form of parochialism and traditionalism among the urban dwellers thereby making them more national than ethnic - minded. In other words,it would have undermined every form of ethnic sentiment and affiliation and promoting the feelings of patriotism and nationalism among the people. A historical consideration of the antecedents in the country (Nigeria) tends to point to the contrary thereby bringing to question Wirth‘s exposition. Happenings in the country seem to reveal more ethnic sentiments and allegiance among the people and urbanites in particular than national sentiment and allegiance. These ethnic sentiments and affinity are attributable to several causal factors as politico-economic marginalization, urban insecurity among others. This contradiction, of course,has implications for national security and development.For urban ethnic consciousness and affinity to be dissuaded and eradicated in the country, policies such as federal character, state and/or ethnic origin and sectional - perceived marginalization etc. should be re-considered for a meaningful national consciousness and patriotism devoid of ethnic sentiments and affiliation to be attained in the country.

Keywords: Urbanism, Ethnic, Consciousness, Affinity, Affiliation, Nigeria