HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS AND NATION BUILDING: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Author(s): Patience O. ERIM

The historiography on state system, till date, is replete with varied interpretations. For some scholars, state system is deeply rooted in every society; it emanates from the biological idea of a father- figure writ large. For our present discourse, two shades of opinion are discernible from the debate on the emergence of state system. The first believes in artificial creation of states while the second argues that state systems emerged out of its history. Using the Nigerian experience, this paper argues that national Integration was achieved through the astonishing level of sacrifice, team work, harmonisations, reconciliations and assimilations that took place in the pre-colonial period. The paper posits that, national integration was fostered by the existence of several cultural units in close geographical areas, migrations and settlements; social interaction and bilingualism, among other factors which served as bridges for national integration. These historical antecedents were strengthened in the 19th century by the introduction of Islam and Christianity both of which acted as cohesive factors by breaking down ethnic boundaries.

Announcements

You can send your paper at Online Submission System

  • The Journal of International Social Research / Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi ISSN: 1307-9581, an international, peer-reviewed, on the web publication, from 2007 will be issued least four times annualy.
  • Our journal is an independent academic publication based on research in social sciences, contributing to its field and trying to publish scientific articles that will bring innovation to the original and social sciences.
  • The journal has got an international editorial board and referee board, mainly embodied from the each individually professional on the social research fields.
  • Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi / The Journal of International Social Research became a member of Cross Reff since 2014 and started to assign DOI numbers to the articles. image
Google Scholar citation report
Citations : 7760

The Journal of International Social Research received 7760 citations as per Google Scholar report

The Journal of International Social Research peer review process verified by publons
Get the App