Fragmented Identities of Nigeria: Sociopolitical and Economic Crises explores the historiogenesis and ontological struggles of Nigeria as a geographical expression and a political experiment. The transdisciplinary contributions in Fragmented Identities of Nigeria analyze Nigeria as a microcosm of global African identity crises to address the deep-rooted conflicts within multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-religious, and multicultural societies. By studying Nigeria as a country manufactured for the interests of colonial forces and ingrained with feudal hegemonic agendas of global powers working against emancipation of African people, Fragmented Identities of Nigeria examines the history, evolution, and consequences of Nigeria's sociopolitical and economic crises. The contributors make suggestions for pulling Nigeria from the brink of an identity implosion which was generated by years of governance by leaders without vision or understanding of what is at stake in global black history. Throughout, the collection argues that it is time for Nigeria to reassess, renegotiate, and reimagine Nigeria's future, whether it be through finding an amicable way the different ethnicities can continue to co-exist as federating or confederating units or to dissolve the country which was created for economic exploitation by the United Kingdom.
John Ayotunde(Tunde) Isola Bewaji is a member of CODESRIA College of PhD Mentors in Africa and senior research associate at the University of Johannesburg. Rotimi Omosulu is lecturer in philosophy in the Department of Language, Linguistics, and Philosophy at the University of the West Indies.
Introduction John Ayotunde (Tunde) Isola Bewaji Chapter One: The Regime of Mental Magnitude and Identity Fragmentation of Nigeria John Ayotunde (Tunde) Isola Bewaji Chapter Two: Religious Nationalism and Politics of Identity in Contemporary Nigeria Michael Onyebuchi Eze Chapter Three: Demystifying Identity Crises in Nigeria Rotimi Omosulu Chapter Four: Ethnicity and English as a 'Neutral' Language in Nigeria's Multilingual Space Bolanle O. Sogunro Chapter Five: Linguistic Practices as Possible Precursors of Identity Endangerment Samson Olusola Olatunji Chapter Six: Language and Identity Crisis in Frantz Fanon's Philosophy of Double Consciousness Kenneth U. Abudu and Augustine E. Iyare Chapter Seven: Ethnic Nationalities, Religious Fundamentalism, and Federalism in Nigeria Olugbemiga Samuel Afolabi and Modesola Vic Omotuyi Chapter Eight: Festivals and Dance as Catalysts for Ethno-Cultural Integration and Identity Oluwatoyin Olokodana-James Chapter Nine: Colonial Urban Centers, Economic Security, Identity Bonding, and the Emergence of Ethnic Associations in Nigeria: 1920 to 1960 Nkemjika Chimee Ihediwa and Alozie Bright Chiazam Chapter Ten: Traditional and Contemporary Ethnic Dispositions to Women and Leadership in Yoruba Films Adagbada Olufadekemi Chapter Eleven: The Archetypal Grandfather and Intergenerational Influence in Soyinka's Bio-Narratives: Strictures for Nigeria's Identity Related Issues Adedoyin Aguoru Chapter Twelve: A Justification for Indigenous Epistemology Ademola Lukman Lawal Chapter Thirteen: Indigenous Vocations as Hereditary Identity Sites in Southwester Nigeria Tajudeen Adewumi Adebisi Chapter Fourteen: Ethnicity and Electoral Contest: Presidential Elections in Nigeria (1999-2011) Chibuzor Ayodele Nwaodike, Aaron Ola Ogundiwin, and Michael Abiodun Oni Chapter Fifteen: Modes of Interpretation in African Religions: A Yoruba Perspective on Nigeria's Fragmented Identity Crises John Ayotunde (Tunde) Isola Bewaji