PERCEPTION OF SELECTED EDUCATION STUDENTS ON EXPLORING NIGERIA’SETHNO-RELIGIOUS MULTIPLICITIES FOR NATIONAL UNITY

Abstract

Nigeria’s national unity has over a century been an impeded panacea for national peace and
mutual co-existence due to its diversified ethnic profile and religious disparities characterised by a
mixture of fake patriotism and mutual suspicion; evidenced in deadly conflicts among the several
ethnic and religious groups. Therefore, this paper examines the perception of some selected
education students on exploring Nigeria’s ethno-religious multiplicities for national unity. In
realizing this objective, the paper adopted a descriptive survey research type with a sample of 200
selected undergraduate students drawn from the four apprehended levels: 100 level to 400 level
through a random sampling technique. A 10-item researcher’s designed questionnaire titled
“Questionnaire on Exploring Nigeria’s Ethno-Religious Multiplicities for an Even National Unity
(QSNERMENU)” was used as the main instrument for data collection and was subjected to face
and content validity by Test and Measurement experts. One research question and one hypothesis
were formulated for study. The research question was answered using mean and standard
deviation while the null hypothesis was tested with the use of t-test statistical method at 0.05 level
of significance. From the data collected, analysed, and the results presented, it was found out that
ethno-religious multiplicities cause hindrance to national unity, social life, loss of economic
sources of livelihood and psychological trauma. Thus, it was recommended among others that,
there is a need for Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious differences to cultivate the spirit of
love for the country and should be willing to sacrifice for it – for the purpose of common growth
and development.