NATIONAL INTEGRATION IN NIGERIA: A PHILOSOPHICAL INSIGHT

Abstract

The issue of national integration and the peaceful co-existence of the pluralistic and multicultural Nigerians in Nigeria has been a national discourse in the country since it secured independence in 1960. Despite global states’ adoption of the constitutional principle of “unity within diversity” among nations, national integration remains a major challenge to most nations, including Nigeria. The state of national integration in Nigeria has been under the persistent negative influence of the issues of insecurity, poverty/deprivation, illiteracy, and ignorance, corruption, poor leadership/governance, etc. The paper argues that the application
of philosophical insight by Nigerians through the way of seeking and upholding the fundamental value of truth has the potentials to positively renew our individual and collective consciousness, perceptions, thoughts and behaviour to relate and co-exist for the good of one another and the nation and also change the narrative of national integration in Nigeria. It recommends that Basic Philosophy should be made compulsory course for tertiary institution students; governments, organizations and particularly individuals should put more emphasis on seeking and upholding the truth at all times in the course of governance/management and relationships in every position and capacity.