Problems of secession in Nigeria. - SS3 Government Lesson Note

Secession is the act of separating from a country or state to form a new independent country. In Nigeria, there have been calls for secession from different ethnic groups, with the most prominent being the calls for the secession of the South-Eastern region, also known as Biafra.

The problems of secession in Nigeria are numerous and complex. Some of these problems include:

• Violation of national unity: Secession would lead to the violation of Nigeria's national unity, which is enshrined in the constitution. It could result in the fragmentation of the country along ethnic and regional lines, leading to the loss of the sense of national identity.
• Economic challenges: Secession would also have serious economic implications, as it would lead to the division of the country's resources and assets, such as oil, which is predominantly found in the South-South region. This could result in economic instability and underdevelopment in the new independent state.
• Political instability: The process of secession would likely lead to political instability, as it would require a restructuring of the existing political system, including the creation of new state institutions and the establishment of a new government.
• Violent conflict: The process of secession could also lead to violent conflict between different ethnic groups, as was seen during the Biafran war in the 1960s, which resulted in the loss of many lives and displacement of many people.
• International recognition: Secession would require international recognition, which may not be forthcoming, as many countries do not support the idea of secession and may refuse to recognize the new independent state.