Nigerian Journal of African Studies, Vol. 2 No. 1, 2020 (ISSN: 2734-3146) Isidienu & Onyekelu 67 SOME FEATURES OF CULTURE IN THREE MAJOR NIGERIAN ETHNIC GROUPS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Ifeyinwa Cordelia Isidienu, PhD Department of Igbo, African and Asian Studies Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Email:ifyisidienu@gmail.com Dr. Ann .C. Onyekelu Department of Igbo, African and Asian Studies Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Email:ann.onyekelu@gmail.com Abstract It is a fact that man cannot live without culture. Culture is a social heritage, and is a specific way of life of a group of people. Culture designs a complete way of life of living and creates skills that the society uses to survive. It is the culture of a society that directs and spells out their way of life or patterns of behaviour. Culture when well harnessed affects the growth and development of the society. The problem seems to be that, it is cultural diversity that has led to instability, corruption, and underdevelopment in a multilingual nation like Nigeria. The study therefore aims at the investigation of some similarities in some features of the cultures of the three major Nigerian ethnic groups, Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. The aim is to seek a common ground for peace, harmony and togetherness amongst Nigerians. This will on the other hand breed honest citizens that will create a stable economy for national development. Data collection was done through oral interview, observation and library sources. It was however; found that, cultural values if articulated and incorporated into the nation’s policy will bring an unending peace and stability in the Nigeria society. Culture, therefore is a veritable tool for the development of any nation. Introduction The neglect of indigenous culture is the problem facing African countries today. Some of the cultures have gone into extinction while others are striving to survive. Culture is seen as encompassing the totality of human behaviour, life style, values and value system, customs, beliefs, and a general behaviour pattern that shapes a particular society. It is the way of life of a people, group or society. This way of life encompasses how the people think, act, what they cherish or dislike, what they wish to be associated with or strive to achieve; generally, what their value system are (Bo and Ugande, 2013:46). The relationship between culture and national development is complex; culture is the key to a nation’s ability to growth and development if harnessed positively. Nigeria has more than two hundred ethnic groups which were amalgamated as a nation in 1914. Although the ethnic segments were grouped into three major ethnic groups, Nigeria as a nation has never experienced lasting peace and stability. There is obvious and extreme contention amongst the ethnic components over economy, political affairs and way of life. The incidence continued after Nigeria got her independence in 1960 till date. It is not an over statement that ethnic rivalries have continued to be one of the basic problems in Nigeria.