A mood is pervading the Nigerian social space, coalescing around the unworkability of the Nigerian state as both civic and national project. The currency of the subject is fed by the deepening contradictions of the Nigerian state generated and regenerated by the ruling clique. In the rest of this paper, I shall argue that what the post-colonial elite sought to nurture in Nigeria is not nationhood but statehood which intended destination is civic nationhood. Statehood and Nationhood: A conceptual excursusStatehoodIn the context of the above introduction it is pertinent to dissect the concept of statehood and nationhood as conceptual categories because they constitute our analytical compass. Professor Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University, delivered this lead paper at the Faculty of Social Sciences International Conference, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

Source: The Guardian June 26, 2019 03:45 UTC