The Nigerian Federation and Separatists’ Agitations: A Reconsideration of Contending Issues on Biafra

Federalism often arises from the desire of peoples to form a union without necessarily losing their identities. In Nigeria, an attempt cultivate common national identity met with serious obstacles separatist agitations in Nigerian history. light this, paper examines causes Nigeria its formative years as British Colony and Protectorate proffers solutions for stemming drift toward disintegration. It observes that history Federation is one laced agitations. The notes agitations, have been traced plethora factors which include ethnicity, cultural diversity, vast size, revenue allocation, political instability, ambiguities constitution, among others. argues these remain object intense politics generally paved way Nigeria. recent times, movements South East geopolitical zone stepped-up struggles actualization sovereign state Biafra through protests other forms social mobilization. triggered tension heightened insecurity, security agencies applying excessive force quell some cases. extant literature awash narratives regarding upsurge persistent centrifugal demands by pro-Biafra separatists, five decades after civil war. Although analyses are germane subject matter, they essentially suffer disjointed empiricism, such unable adequately illuminate understanding renewed concludes Nigeria’s unity problematic approach government has adopting handling problem actually not working.