Insurgency, secessionism and banditry threaten Nigeria
Africa’s biggest nation faces its biggest test since its civil war 50 years ago
LITTLE MORE than six decades ago, as Nigeria was nearing independence, even those who were soon to govern Africa’s largest country had their doubts about whether it would hold together. British colonists had drawn a border around land that was home to more than 250 ethnic groups. Obafemi Awolowo, a politician of that era, evoked Metternich, fretting that “Nigeria is not a nation. It is a mere geographical expression.”
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “The crime scene at the heart of Africa”
Leaders October 23rd 2021
From the October 23rd 2021 edition
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