Ilemobayo John Omogunwa

Who is A Nigerian? Ilemobayo John Omogunwa

This article is a philosophical inquiry into the socio-political and geographical situation in Nigeria alongside the search for National identity with the task of questioning the Philosophic foundation of Nigerian political system with the view of evaluating how it has been consistent in fact and logic from its conscious beginning to the contemporary, towards developing the sense of national identity among its ethnic citizens. This is based on two presuppositions; first, that every account of politics has to begin from the human nature in relation to its possibilities and limitations, and secondly, that what we take man to be obviously determines both the kind of government which we think he deserves, and the type of which we think he is capable. This article argues that; what we take man to be presupposes his/her identity, and further argued that Nigerian national Identity has not and is not consistent both in fact, geography and in logic with the kind of government recommended for it and thereby making its Philosophic foundation faulty. This is responsible not only for the lack of substantive positive development in Nigeria but also in its socio-political life and economy. This article by implication further argues for the restructuring of Nigerian socio-political system in conformity with its foundation which recognizes the differences in ethnic nationalities as prelude to National identity.