Cultural Security and National Development in Nigeria, 1960-2020

Abstract

Culture is the very bedrock of a society, and in its entire dimension, is a fundamental component of national development. It is known generally as the  total way of life of a people. The paper examines the role of cultural security in development in Nigeria. Using only secondary sources, it is emphasized  here that cultural security plays an important role in development, cutting across the economic, political, social, environmental spheres. It brings about  social cohesion, unity, peace and  stability, progress and growth. It reduces poverty, provides employment opportunities and generates income inter alia.  While the paper identified certain factors that militate against cultural security such as globalisation, conflict and violence, breakdown in cultural norms  and values, lack of cultural intelligence, it reiterates the need to place culture at the core of governance. It also calls for a deliberate and conscious efforts  of government at all levels to plan and implement policies and programmes that are culture-centred and culture-sensitive in order to promote cultural  security and in turn engender national development.