Nigeria Since Independence: Forever Fragile? [Hardcover]

This book analyses the political and ethnical tensions that characterize Nigeria, which derive both from colonial and contemporary conflicts. It points out three major factors why Nigeria has not yet collapsed like many other African states: ethnic power sharing amongst the political elite, the military with its national outlook, and oil wealth.Introduction Fear of Failure: Negative Sovereignty and the Birth of State Failure The Causes and Consequences of State Failure Identifying Failed States Failure to promote human flourishing The spread and spread of the concept of state failure Conclusions The Enemy Within: Insurgency and the Failure of the Nigerian State The Ways and Extent of Nigeria's Failure Boko Haram The MEND Failure to Control Failure to Promote Human Flourishing Failure to Provide Security Failure to Provide Healthcare and Education The Dangers of Disintegration Conclusions The Emperor's New Clothes? Federalism, the Decline of Old Loyalties and the Rise of New Jealousies The Post-independence Background to Federalism The Function of Federalism 'Not a Nation': Federalism and the Preservation of Difference A Spur to Ethnic Tensions Damage to National Unity Damage to Political Rights Corruption Out of Many Came Forth One: Federalism and the Quest for Unity Conclusions Fuel to the Flames: Oil and Political Violence in Contemporary Nigeria Oil and its Lubrication of Nigeria's Failure Damage to the Economy Damage to the Environment Corruption Damage to Democracy Failure to Promote Human Flourishing and the Spread of Armed Violence Secessionism On Troubled Waters: Oil and its Contribution to Nigeria's Unity Conclusions Of the People but for the People? Nigeria and its Armed Forces The Legacy and Reputation of Nigeria's Armed Forces The Armed Forces' Contribution to Nigeria's Failure A Failure to Defend The Abuse of Human Rights The Armed Forces' Efforts to Prevent Nigeria's Failure Maintaining and Preserving Security Strengthening Public Participation and TrulÛ