Developing Country Studies www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-607X (Paper) ISSN 2225-0565 (Online) Vol.5, No.4, 2015 145 Unity in Diversity and National Security: The Nigerian Situation Iruonagbe, C.T. Ph.D. & Egharevba, M.E. Ph.D. Department of Sociology,Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria Email: tunde.iruonagbe@covenantuniversity.edu.ng matthew.egharevba@covenantuniversity.edu.ng ABSTRACT This paper takes an exploratory look at the issues of ethnicity in Nigeria from a historical perspective. It shows the interplay between ethnic rivalry and the challenges of National Security which have in the current dispensation become very compelling with rampant cases of bombings, terrorist attacks, murder, mayhem and all sorts of vices in some parts of the country. The paper believes in the principle of “Unity in Diversity”, for in it lies our strength as a people, including the protection of our nascent democracy. In addition, it believes that such debilitating issues concerning culture and religious differences, including political affiliations should not hinder the relative peace and stability which we have hitherto enjoyed in Nigeria, regarded as the most populous black Nation in the world. The paper further tries to proffer solutions towards enhancing our unity in spite of our diversity including how issues of insecurity can be addressed in Nigeria. KEY WORDS: Culture, Democracy, Ethnicity, Ethnic Rivalry, National Security, Politics, Religion, Unity in Diversity. INTRODUCTION The denigration of ethnicity as the scapegoat of all vices associated with the Nigerian body polity has made the subject a dominant theme in the study of issues concerning the country’s unity and the question of national security. Indeed, whatever has to do with unity in diversity must evaluate critically issues of ethnic relations. As Jinadu (2004) rightly puts it, ‘the study of ethnic relations in Nigeria has passed through a number of phases reflecting changes in the country’s political and social status as well as changes in fashions and trends in the social science research agenda’. Indeed, ethnic pluralism is an essential aspect of the structure of new African states. Other forms of pluralism are equally important. For example, we have religious pluralism defining the various coexisting religious organizations and practices such as traditional religion, Islam and Christianity. Thus, analysts interested in such diverse issues as nationalism, decolonization, national integration, political parties, military intervention, corruption, economic development, structural adjustment, democratization, violent conflict and social vices have all considered the ‘ethnicity’ variable. It is imperative for all Nigerians to be part of the solution to the recurrent diversity related violent conflicts in the country. Diversity is not about how we differ; rather, it should be about embracing one another’s uniqueness (Adesuyi, et al, 2011). According to Albert (1999), diversity refers to human differences in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, ideology or social class. It calls attention to the fact that human beings are not born the same and even when they are, some environmental factors make them to have diverse social, economic and political orientations. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The challenges affecting the unity of Nigeria have been an historical and persistent one. Before the colonial era, conflicts were more of tribal groups struggling to take over territories. Since the colonial era and even after Independence, the conflicts in Nigeria have been ethnic, religious, political and even cultural. The forced cohabitation of the different parts of Nigeria without the people having a say in this led to a lot of distrust and suspicion, especially among leaders of the different ethnic, religious and political groups in the country. Today, the size and population of Nigeria for which we ought to draw strength from as a Nation has become questionable. Everywhere one turns, the story is about ethnic rivalry, quota system, resource allocation, federal character, etc. People have consistently challenged our continued existence as a nation with many calling for a National constitutional Conference. Since the end of the civil war in 1970, ethnic violence has persisted as politics has become a zero sum game with the winner taking it all. Corruption has become institutionalized and with the fear of the unknown, fairness, equity and justice has been thrown away (Aluko, 2002). According to