Multiculturalism, Value Differences and Cross-Cultural Conflict in Nigeria: Surgery on a Centenarian

Literature on the National Question of the Nigerian state has often taken the dimension of “value differences” for granted. Against this background, we examine cross-cultural conflict in Nigeria, as induced by the very tightly held and uncompromising values of multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-national entities from amalgamation to the present time. Multiculturalism and differences emanating from contradictory values have culminated in various manifestations: civil war, agitation for state creation, federal character principle, revenue allocation, ethno-religious crisis, rotational presidency, zoning and recently, terrorism and national conference. A descriptive cum analytical approaches are applied in the work. Findings indicate the divisive characteristics of values which have resulted in the disunity of Nigeria. This paper provides one of the very few studies surgically identifying value differences in a multicultural entity such as Nigeria. It recommends, among others, that unpretentious resolution efforts should thoroughly consider and engage these value differences, in order to fully maximize the immense benefits inherent in Nigeria’s multiculturalism.