Fostering National Integration: A guide from Nyerere’s Philosophy of Ujamaa

Abstract

The recent surge of concern for national integration in Nigeria is not only apt, but timely given the negative turn of events after her centenary celebration as a nation. Time and again, the political culture, especially since independence from British colonial rule in 1960, has demonstrated what may justifiably be considered a failure at attempts in mobilizing its vast human and natural resources to form a unified entity.  It has been a history replete with incessant conflicts ranging from ethnic rivalries, to religious bigotry, and to problems of identity resulting from the indigene / settler dichotomy.  As a result, tens of thousands of lives have been lost and unquantifiable amount of naira worth of goods and property have perished.  Today, the tension is so palpable that ordinary citizens feel constantly traumatized by the ghost of insecurity and mutual suspicion; and in consequence, the prospects for development have been drastically whittled down.  This paper looked at these dire situations critically and proposed that taking a guide from Nyerere’s philosophy of Ujamaa would go a long way to fostering peace and tolerance, and ultimately national integration.

Keywords: national integration, ujamaa, philosophy, tolerance, pan-national, ethnic.