Ethnic and Religious Politics: Nigeria’s Greatest Challenge, Warns Professor Falola

Professor Toyin Falola has identified ethnic and religious politics as significant threats to Nigeria’s unity and democracy. In a recent lecture, he criticized the detrimental impact of these divisions on national governance and democratic institutions. He emphasized the need for a political culture that prioritizes meritocracy over identity politics, advocating for civic engagement that addresses core national issues.

Professor Toyin Falola, a distinguished historian, articulated pressing concerns regarding ethnic and religious politics as critical threats to Nigeria’s unity and democratic evolution. During the Prof. Ayo Olukotun Memorial Lecture held on March 18, 2025, at Lead City University in Ibadan, he condemned the pervasive influence of these factions on the political landscape, which compromise national governance and instigate political turmoil.

In his address titled “Ayo Olukotun and the Nigerian Nation,” Professor Falola asserted that ethnic and religious loyalties overshadow national priorities, replacing merit-based leadership with identity politics. He underscored the destructive impact of such divisions on the nation’s cohesion, stating it has “relegated the nation to a state of disunity.”

Highlighting the divisive nature of the 2019 presidential election, he noted that despite both leading candidates being from similar backgrounds, the election exacerbated ethnic and religious tensions. He questioned the public’s sense of apprehension towards candidates from the same region and religion, illustrating the fragility of Nigeria’s national unity.

Beyond electoral politics, Professor Falola criticized how ethnic and religious considerations influence political appointments. This practice, he argued, undermines governance and promotes mediocrity as loyalty to sectional interests overtakes competence and national concerns.

He stressed that biases rooted in ethnicity and religion have eroded democratic foundations, transforming public office roles into platforms for personal and sectional gains rather than public service. Furthermore, he criticized the politicization of religion, which, rather than promoting morality and accountability, has been manipulated by power-driven elites for self-serving agendas.

“The game of ethnic and religious manipulation,” he noted, distracts citizens from fundamental issues such as economic development and security, leading to widespread governance failures. To address the endemic issues of tribalism and religious divisions, he advocated for a national reorientation that prioritizes competence and transcends identity politics.

Professor Falola emphasized the indispensable need to strengthen national institutions to safeguard democracy from the influence of ethnic and religious partisanship. He urged civil society, academics, and media professionals to foster a political culture that values policy-driven discussions over sentimental politics while encouraging civic engagement that transcends ethnic or religious lines.

The event featured eminent personalities, including Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora and Professor Kabiru Adeyemo, who contributed to the discourse aimed at promoting a unified national strategy. Professor Falola called for a proactive shift, advocating for governance grounded in integrity and performance, emphasizing the necessity of placing national interest above sectional loyalty.

In conclusion, Professor Falola’s profound insights challenge both leaders and citizens to embrace a forward-looking vision that upholds unity, competence, and governance above tribalism and division, suggesting that true national progress requires dismantling the structures that foster disunity.

Professor Toyin Falola’s lecture poignantly highlights the detrimental impact of ethnic and religious politics on Nigeria’s unity and democratic integrity. By prioritizing competence and national interest over sectional allegiances, he advocates for a transformative reorientation of political culture. Only through collective effort and a commitment to non-divisive governance can Nigeria hope to foster true national cohesion and progress in the face of deep-rooted societal divides.

Original Source: tribuneonlineng.com