According to an article on CNN, currently one of Nigeria’s most serious issues has to do with the divisions within the country. Written in March 2010, author Tom Evans writes how the ex-President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, claims that the violence that had killed at least 200 people in Nigeria had nothing to do with tensions between the Christians and Muslims living there. Rather, the violence was sparked by “ethnic, social, and economic problems.” Tribal culture is still very prominent in Nigeria, and the ex-President discussed how if one group has land that is “encroached upon by another” group, they would fight back. He also mentions that Nigerians who are indigenous to a certain area feel as if they should be able to obtain a job there, and feel resentment when someone who is not native to that area is able to find employment when they can not. Obasanjo says that this violence is not based around religion as he cites the fact that Nigerian religious leaders “have come together and deliberated on the problems in Jos, which lies on a faith-based fault-line between” the Muslims and the Christians. Nevertheless, the source of violence aside, citizens of Nigeria are displaying their discontent with the government, dealing “from corruption to unemployment.” This makes it hard for Nigerian officials such as police to control the violence, as the citizens don’t look at the police as a source of justice. Instead, citizens believe that “local governors are trying to get away with as much as they can.” Ultimately, the violence is caused by unhappiness among the Nigerian people, and being such a fast growing country, the government of Nigeria needs to quickly find a way to make its people happy.
Sources:
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-03-10/world/nigeria.violence.obasanjo_1_president-umaru-yar-adua-nigerian-president-olusegun-obasanjo-nigerian-capital?_s=PM:WORLD
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