GST 112: Course Summary
Contemporary Challenges in Nigerian Culture
ethnic conflicts, religious drama, corruption everywhere. And somehow we're supposed to find cultural solutions? This feels overwhelming but here we go.
Introduction (Why This Is So Hard to Talk About)
Look, I'm not gonna lie - every time we bring up Nigeria's problems, it gets awkward fast. People either get all defensive like "why are you attacking our culture" or they just shut down completely. But honestly? We can't keep pretending everything's fine when it's... not.
Don't get me wrong - Nigeria's got incredible culture. The food, the music, the stories, the way we can make anyone feel welcome. But there's this other stuff too. The stuff that makes you want to emigrate or just stay inside and mind your business.
So here's what we're dealing with:
- Ethnic fights that never seem to end
- Religious intolerance (and I mean REAL intolerance, not just theological disagreements)
- Corruption that's so normal it's almost boring
- And somehow... maybe our culture has some answers? I'm still figuring this part out.
1. Ethnic Conflicts and Religious Intolerance
The Ethnic Thing (It's Complicated)
Over 250 ethnic groups. Which sounds amazing on paper, right? Unity in diversity and all that. But in practice... sigh
The British really messed us up with their divide-and-rule tactics. They'd favor one group over another, then sit back and watch the chaos. And we're still dealing with the fallout. It's like they planted time bombs that are still going off.
Then there's the oil money situation. Everyone's watching who gets what, who gets federal appointments, where the roads are being built. And when your people aren't getting their "fair share" (whatever that means), tensions rise.
Examples that make you want to cry:
- Herders vs farmers conflicts (this one's particularly brutal)
- Ife-Modakeke - still going after decades
- Land disputes in Anambra that split families
Religious Intolerance (The Elephant in the Room)
We're roughly split between Christians, Muslims, and traditional believers. Should be fine, right? Freedom of religion and all that.
But politicians... man, they know exactly which buttons to push. Election season comes around and suddenly it's "us vs them" instead of "let's pick the best candidate."
The scary examples:
- Sharia law riots in Kaduna (2000) - people died over this
- Boko Haram literally means "Western education is forbidden" - how did we get here?
- Churches and mosques fighting over land while people are homeless
What really gets me is how this undermines everything. When you're Igbo first, Nigerian second... when you're Muslim first, Nigerian second... it becomes easier to justify horrible things against "the other side."
2. Corruption and Erosion of Values
The Cultural Acceptance Thing (This Is Uncomfortable)
Okay, this is where it gets really messy. Some people argue that our culture actually enables corruption. And I hate that this might be true, but...
Extended family expectations are real. You get a government job, and suddenly you're supposed to take care of everyone. Uncle needs school fees, cousin needs a contract, auntie needs her medical bills paid. The pressure is insane.
Plus, we respect elders so much that questioning them feels wrong. Even when they're clearly stealing. "Don't disrespect your elders" becomes a shield for bad behavior.
And these parties we throw... weddings that cost millions, funerals that bankrupt families. Everyone's trying to prove they've "made it," even if they had to steal to get there.
The Bigger Damage
When corruption becomes normal, everything breaks down:
- Hospitals without equipment (where did the money go?)
- Schools without books (oh right, someone's cousin got that contract)
- Roads that collapse after one rainy season
But the worst part? It changes how we think. Merit stops mattering. "Who you know" becomes more important than what you can do. And then we wonder why things don't work.
Values Under Attack
The values our grandparents lived by - honesty, hard work, taking care of your community - they're being replaced by something uglier. Get rich by any means necessary. Fake it till you make it. Everyone's trying to scam everyone else.
Examples that hurt:
- Yahoo Plus rituals (I still can't believe this is real)
- Election rigging like it's a game
- Parents bribing teachers for their kids' grades
3. Cultural Solutions (Maybe There's Hope?)
But wait... maybe I'm being too negative. Because the same culture that creates problems also has solutions. Traditional conflict resolution is actually brilliant when it works.
Traditional Conflict Resolution
Most ethnic groups have these amazing systems for settling disputes. Elders sit down, they listen to both sides, they find solutions that work for everyone. No lawyers, no endless court cases, just people talking things through.
The Igbo family meetings (umunna) can solve land disputes that would take years in court. Yoruba family councils do the same thing. When it works, it's beautiful.
The Good Parts of Communalism
Yes, extended family pressure can enable corruption. But it also means nobody gets left behind. Communities rallying around widows, orphans, the sick... that's powerful stuff.
Moral Codes That Still Work
Traditional societies had strong rules about theft, lying, respecting life. And these weren't just suggestions - they were enforced. Maybe we need to remember some of that.
Modern Applications
What if we used Nollywood to promote integrity instead of glorifying fraud? What if musicians sang about civic duty instead of just money and cars? What if we told our traditional stories in ways that teach modern values?
Conclusion (Still Figuring It Out)
So here's what I think I've learned:
Culture isn't fixed. It changes. And we have some control over how it changes.
Some parts of our culture are holding us back - the ethnic rivalries, the corruption enablers, the materialism. We need to be honest about that.
But other parts - the communalism, the respect for life, the hospitality, the conflict resolution wisdom - these could actually save us.
The question is: are we brave enough to keep the good and change the bad?
As future leaders (or just people trying to make it in this country), we need to be cultural curators. Keep what builds us up. Modify what needs updating. Throw out what's harmful.
Easier said than done, but... what's the alternative?
Recommended Readings
- Otite, O. & Ogionwo, W. (2006). An Introduction to Sociological Studies. Ibadan: Heinemann.
- Achebe, C. (1983). The Trouble with Nigeria. Enugu: Fourth Dimension.
- Falola, T. (2001). Culture and Customs of Nigeria. Westport: Greenwood Press.
- National Orientation Agency reports (when you can find them)
- Journal of Nigerian Studies - various articles on ethnic relations and anti-corruption
Assignment
Write a 2-page reflection on:
"Which Nigerian cultural practices do you think contribute most to our national problems, and which ones do you believe can help solve them? Give practical examples from your community or the media."
And please, be honest. This isn't about giving the "right" answer - it's about figuring out what's actually happening.