THE RESTRUCTURING QUESTION IN NIGERIA THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS

Abstract

This paper attempts an examination of the concept of restructuring for a better understanding of the term. The paper considers the necessity or otherwise of restructuring the Nigerian state structure as is currently called for. The origin and consequences of the politics of restructuring in Nigeria are equally given attention. Theoretically, the paper is based on the social identity theory first propounded by Henri Tajfel in his “Integrative Theory of Intergroup Conflict” (1979) which considered class or group’s claims of superiority over other classes as the root cause of conflicts in the human society. The study sourced its information through the secondary sources. It uses the thematic and analytic approaches of research. The paper is of the opinion that the emergence of a group of politicians who see themselves as more powerful and relevant than others is responsible for the endless quests for the Nigerian state structure to be restructured. These groups are always guided by their selfish interests from the debates they instigate. In the debates, only the common people are sacrificed for the interest of the few cabal members. To save the commons who are more in number, the paper concludes that the cabal has to be done away with and a more purposeful leadership that will place the needs and interests of the common man above the narrow group interests of the few, brought to replace it.