How does cultural diversities contribute to social problems in Nigeria?

The name Nigeria was suggested by British journalist Flora Shaw in the 1890s. She referred to the area as Nigeria, after the Niger River, which dominates much of the country's landscape. The Word Niger is Latin for black.

More than 250 ethnic tribes call present-day Nigeria home. The three largest and most dominant ethnic groups are the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. Other smaller groups include the Fulani, Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio, Tiv,Urhobo, Isoko and Edo.

These various ethnic groups never considered themselves part of the same culture, they had full autonomy, with each having its own political structure, economy, religious believes, culture, tradition and language.

Their grouping together into a single entity known as Nigeria was a construct of their British colonial master.

Prior to their conquest by the Europeans, these ethnic groups had separate and independent histories. On uniting these former neighbors to form the entity we call Nigeria, there remained the general apathy and distrust for one another as has been even before they were made 'bed-fellows' by the British colonial master. This general lack of Nigerian nationalism coupled with an ever-changing and often ethnically biased national leadership, have constantly resulted in severe internal ethnic conflicts the height of which led to the Nigerian civil war.

Today bloody confrontations between or among members of different ethnic groups continue.

Perhaps Nigeria's greatest social problem is the internal violence plaguing the nation. Interethnic fighting throughout the country, religious rioting between Muslims and non-Muslims over the creation of Shari'a law (strict Islamic law) in the northern states, and political confrontations between ethnic minorities and backers of oil companies often spark bloody confrontations that can last days or even months. When violence of this type breaks out, national and state police try to control it. However, the police themselves are often accused of some of the worst violence. In some instances, curfews and martial law have been imposed in specific areas to try to stem outbreaks of unrest.

Poverty and lack of opportunity for many young people, especially in urban areas, have led to major crime. Lagos is considered one of the most dangerous cities in West Africa due to its incredibly high crime rate. The police are charged with controlling crime, but their lack of success often leads to vigilante justice.

In some rural areas there are some more traditional ways of addressing social problems. In many ethnic groups, such as the Igbo and the Yoruba, men are organized into secret societies. Initiated members of these societies often dress in masks and palm leaves to masquerade as the physical embodiment of traditional spirits to help maintain social order. Through ritual dance, these men will give warnings about problems with an individual's or community's morality in a given situation. Because belief in witchcraft and evil spirits is high throughout Nigeria, this kind of public accusation can instill fear in people and cause them to mend their ways. Members of secret societies also can act as judges or intermediaries in disputes.