Historical Perspectives on the Accommodation of Diversity in Africa: A Study of Nigeria and Ethiopia

Many African countries are ethnically diverse. The dangerous conflicts arising from the complex ethnocultural character of these countries have made Africa the most politically unstable region in the world. Separatist ethnic conflicts and other manifestations of primordial contestation have accentuated the need for effective ethnic accommodation strategies in the context of Africa. This article historicises ethnic accommodation and nation-building strategies in Ethiopia and Nigeria, focusing principally on the successes and encumbrances. Relying on the historical approach, this article brings back to the front burner of academic discussion the challenge of ethnic diversity and the problems associated with the effective implementation of nation-building strategies in Africa. The article recommends that political leadership in Africa must prioritise efforts aimed at building the functional capacity of the state to translate ethnic accommodation strategies into effective tools for promoting unity in diversity.