Steve Ibuomo Larry, PhD
&
Alex, Pensive Binadeinyefa
Abstract
In 1914, the British amalgamated the Southern and Northern protectorates of the Niger Area for
administrative convenience. This was the bringing together of people of diverse ethnic
backgrounds. It was the beginning of the battle for supremacy among the major ethnic groups and
the fear of alienation by the predominant minorities. When Nigeria was prepared for independence,
and political parties formed, it reflected the dominance of the three major ethnic groups. The
minority political parties formed in order to address the place and future of the minorities in an
independent Nigeria were overshadowed by the bigger parties. This paper, therefore, interrogates
the place of the minority in the evolution of Nigeria as a nation-state. It highlights the struggles of
the minorities at different stages of Nigeria’s political history. The paper reveals that while efforts
were made to assuage the fears of the minorities by different administrations, there still remain
agitations for resource control and better political inclusion of the minorities in the Nigerian state.
The secondary sources were used to get the needed information for this work and it is descriptive
and analytical.
Introduction
The 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates was for purely administrative
and economic convenience. This has had overwhelming consequences on Nigeria’s nation building
efforts. The minority question has continued to reflect such consequences. Minority groups, no
doubt, have contributed immensely to the political and economic development of Nigeria.
However, what is worrisome is…