Economic Inequality, Ethnic Identity Politics, and Federal Stability in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51415/jpmir.v1i3.1736Keywords:
Economic Inequality, Ethnic Identity Politics, Fiscal Federalism, Elite Capture, Youth Unemployment, , Political MobilisationAbstract
This paper examines how economic inequality and perceptions of systemic exclusion drive ethnic identity politics and threaten democratic consolidation in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. The central research question is: to what extent does perceived systemic exclusion, rather than income disparity alone, mediate the relationship between economic inequality and ethnic mobilisation in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic? Drawing on Gini coefficient data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disaggregated across all six geopolitical zones, and supported by qualitative analysis of secondary literature, the study argues that it is the interaction between perceived marginalisation, skewed resource distribution, and political exclusion, rather than statistical income dispersion, that fuels ethnic competition and undermines Nigeria’s federal bargain. The analysis demonstrates that low measured inequality does not preclude intense ethnic grievance, as evidenced by the South-East and North-West zones. Federal resource control, regional patronage networks, and historically skewed development priorities have heightened inter-ethnic mistrust and deepened democratic disenchantment, particularly among Nigeria’s youth. The paper proposes targeted reforms, including restructuring Nigeria’s fiscal federalism, investing in youth employment infrastructure in high-poverty zones, and strengthening merit-based appointment mechanisms within federal institutions.
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