AN APPRAISAL OF THE CHALLENGES OF NATION BUILDING IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIA AND GHANA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

The paper critically examines the challenges of nation-building in contemporary Nigeria and Ghana with a view to find viable solution. The main objective of the paper is to identify and highlight the challenges of leadership, socio-economic inequalities and the challenges of managing ethnic diversity as the major impediments which have stifled nation – building efforts in both the two countries. The paper employed national integration theory as postulated by Karl Deutsch, Charles Tilly and Reinhardt Bendix. The theory offered insightful comparative analysis of the challenges of nation building facing the two countries. The study also utilized secondary data for critical assessment and content analysis of the challenges of nation – building in Nigeria and Ghana. The study has evidently found out that Ghana has been able to stabilize much more than Nigeria because diversity of inter group relations in Ghana have been sufficiently well contained and well managed, the country continues to pursue the agenda of nation building but the management of the challenges of Nation building in Nigeria has degenerated due to the inability of its leadership to ensure proper management of diversity, socio-economic injustice and lack of good governance are responsible for the escalation of the problems which snowballed and translated to the current security challenges. of Boko Haram Insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and cattle rustling. The paper therefore, recommends among other things, that political leaders of the two countries should exhibit and provide responsive and responsible leadership to guarantee good governance to their citizens and also ensure social justice.