Challenges of Nation Building in Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria: A Comparative Study
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2020-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Despite the fact that both Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria are endowed with rich human and natural resources, the observable political, economic, and social phenomena of DRC and Nigeria indicates an absence of successful nation-building process, even after six decades of independence. There are abundant documents and related articles on the challenges faced by these countries in their efforts of nation-building. However, literature of comparative context, which deals with the challenges of nation building of DRC and Nigeria is unavailable. The current study shows the countries‘ efforts and challenges in nation-building. It also indicates their similarities and differences. In order to address the challenges of nation-building efforts of both counties, a qualitative comparative research design was adopted. Accordingly, the findings of the study indicate that the challenges of nation-building faced by the two countries include; challenges from colonial legacy, ethno-religious strife, weak institutions, corruption, poor governance, poverty and socio-economic inequalities, external intervention, leadership crisis, violence, and instability are among the various factors which deserve mention. The findings furthermore, suggest that there are significant similarities and differences between the challenges faced by DRC and Nigeria. For instance, the British colonial system provided better opportunity of political experience and civil servant role for the Nigerian elites as opposed to the Belgian Congo. In contrast to the smooth decolonization process of British Nigeria, the decolonization of Belgian Congo was abnormal, and the external intervention in post-independence Congo was more aggressive than that of Nigeria. Although both countries followed various nation-building policies, the challenges outweighed their endeavors. The findings of the study suggests that by implementing proper policy choices: establishing a national consensus of civic ideals rather than ethnic identity, carrying through a pro-people constitution, political, and economic policies, and by building an inclusive capable political, economic, and social institutions, it could be possible for the two countries to overcome the challenges of nation-building, and attain sustainable development.
Keywords: Nation, State, Nation-State, Nation-Building, State-Building.
Description
Keywords
Nation, State, Nation-State, Nation-Building, State-Building