Abstract
The amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914 by British colonialists led to the creation of a new entity called Nigeria. This heterogeneously constituted country has faced the arduous task of integrating diverse and divergent cultures, values, and interests into a generally accepted belief system that promotes unity, peace, and progress. For decades, since political independence, Nigeria has been grappling with issues ranging from identity crisis, power sharing and management, lack of infrastructural improvement, social disorder, and violence. A nation endowed with enormous human and natural resources is now on the verge of collapse, mainly due to mismanagement and corruption. The major problem holding the country back, as identified by this paper, is the varying and conflicting interpretation of a political integration theory, in which one group sees it as their right to hold on to power, while other groups are, at times, even violently seeking a negotiated social contract. This has significantly hindered the national drive towards progress and development. This paper contends that there is a need for a national rebirth. Adopting historical and contextual approaches, the paper argues that Nigeria should pursue technological development as part of its quest for progress, while factoring in the philosophical and humane conditions that will foster peace and the survival of its citizens. It is believed that if this positive measure is adopted, the current and prevailing problems plaguing the country's progress will be alleviated or reduced to a minimum.