Nigeria Can Thrive: Addressing Division and Building Unity

Since Nigeria became a modern state, many have worried about its wide diversity and have made predictions about its failure. Over the years, scholars and various groups have confidently said that Nigeria will fall apart. But Nigeria continues to exist, defying those who predict doom. As someone born after the Civil War, I have seen many warnings about national disaster. With elections coming up again, division has become a hot topic. Some experts say Nigeria's mix of ethnic and religious groups makes it unworkable. I don’t agree.

Nigeria is not uniquely divided or worse off than other places with different ethnic groups. Every diverse society deals with some level of suspicion and bias. If Nigerians could not live together, the country would have broken apart a long time ago. Surviving civil wars, economic struggles, military rule, and ongoing political crises shows a more complex story than just endless conflict.

The real issue is not that Nigerians hate each other. It is that our political system makes identity a key way to access jobs and opportunities. In a country where public jobs, political positions, and access to government resources often depend on ethnic connections, being a citizen becomes a fight for a bigger share of the national pie.

This competition often shows itself in the harmful divide between indigenes and settlers, where being from a certain place is valued more than being a citizen. In other cases, social and economic issues are twisted into ethnic or religious conflicts. Real struggles over land, jobs, political power, and public resources get reduced to supposed ancient hatreds. The division we see is not unavoidable. It is largely caused by institutions, incentives, and political decisions.

Combating division needs more than just calls for national unity. It requires an economic change that can create jobs to match Nigeria's growing population. We should aim for steady, inclusive economic growth, along with investment in education, jobs, and social support.

Economic hardship makes things worse. When good opportunities are hard to find, the urge to stick to one's own group becomes stronger. Political leaders take advantage of this fear, offering ethnic and religious safety instead of good governance. This is not just a Nigerian issue. Economic problems have sparked similar movements in Western countries, and violence against outsiders in South Africa shows how social frustrations can be aimed at others.

So, fighting division needs more than just nice speeches about unity. It needs real economic changes that can create jobs for Nigeria's growing population. We should aim for steady economic growth that includes everyone, plus investment in education, jobs, and social support.

There are positive signs that Nigeria's unifying forces are strong. The Africa Polling Institute’s 2026 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey showed a Social Cohesion Index of 48.8 percent, up from 46.8 percent in 2025, and the highest since they started surveying in 2019. Notably, for the first time, more people identified primarily as Nigerians instead of by their ethnic, religious, or regional backgrounds. Also, 77 percent said they would work with people from other ethnic groups to promote national unity. These results do not mean our divisions are gone. People still feel divided, but they challenge the idea that Nigeria is completely broken.

We need strong guarantees of equal citizenship, civic education that questions old biases, and a better understanding of how Nigeria's people have interacted over time. The government must tackle unfair practices and ensure that public services reward merit, fairness, and inclusion.

At the same time, fast urban growth is creating a new class of Nigerians whose identities cross traditional lines. In our cities, business, professional ties, friendships, and marriages break down ethnic barriers. Even social media, often blamed for spreading bias, allows new connections across old divisions. Smart public policy should support these trends.

We need strong guarantees of equal citizenship, civic education that questions old biases, and a better understanding of how Nigeria's people have interacted over time. The government must tackle unfair practices and ensure that public services reward merit, fairness, and inclusion. We also need to improve security on roads and trade routes. Insecurity makes travel hard, disrupts trade, and increases the distance between communities. Roads, railways, and safe transport systems are not just for the economy; they help build the nation.

In the end, we cannot achieve national unity just by urging people to come together. We must build fair institutions, share wealth, and have caring leadership at all levels. Nigeria's diversity is not a death sentence. Our differences do not have to divide us, and competition should not lead to conflict. The future of our country is in our hands. Nigeria is not doomed. With wise policies, inclusive citizenship, and leaders who understand our shared humanity, we can overcome division. Our history shows we can survive. Now we must learn to thrive together.