Identity Crisis Management and National Security
The Nigerian state gained her independence in more than fifty-seven years ago. It has over two hundred fifty ethnic groups and languages. There is problem of national identity, which has led to various security challenges like inter-ethnic disputes, boundary disputes, religious crises and other mayhems in which many lives and properties have been destroyed. Hence, this paper investigates identity crisis management and national security as theoretical interface for development in Nigeria. The study applied theoretical and literary methods to gather information for the study. The data was sourced secondarily through text books, related journals and internet sources. The findings from the secondary sources showed that identity crisis emanated from statement of state of origin, place of origin, language spoken, religious affiliations and even local government of origin as the major source of our national disunity. Nigeria has thirty-six(36) states including Federal Capital Territory and seven hundred and seventy four(774) local government areas.There is no unified and generally acceptable means of national identity. The political elites are not helping the situation; they capitalize on the Nigerian identity crisis to create avoidable problems in order to realize their selfish interests. Improper identity crisis hasresulted in ethno-religious crises whereby many lives and property have been lost. Most pre and post-election violence in Nigeria resulted from improper identity management. All these crises undermine national security. Hence, this paper recommends broad-based public enlightenment programmes to facilitate national identity management; there is need for accountable leadership and responsible followership at all levels of government and even distribution of national wealth, true federalism and adequate security of life and property. The results of this study will be useful to the government at all levels, the National Orientation Agency and the National Identity Management Commission. The researchers in the field of identity management can initiate another research form this juncture.