ETHNIC DIVERSITY AND NATIONAL SECURITY IN NIGERIA: THE SOUTH-EAST PERSPECTIVE

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic nation with over four hundred ethnic groups, and continues to grapple with ethnicity-related conflicts and resource struggles. This study provides a framework for understanding recurrent conflicts linked to ethnic diversity in Nigeria, driven by state fragility and elite competition for power and resource control. Ethnic differences pose challenges to national security through contradictory interactions over resource control and perceived marginalization, which has fueled secessionist tendencies in South-East Nigeria, commonly referred to as Biafra. The region has experienced repeated violent conflicts characterized by neglect and confrontation. The broad objective is to examine how ethnic diversity in the South-East has affected national security in Nigeria. The study uses secondary data through content analysis of books, journal articles, and publications. Relative Deprivation Theory is adopted as the analytical framework.  Findings show that proliferation of small arms and light weapons, mutual distrust, unemployment, marginalization, poor economic activities, and loss of human lives and property have deepened national security challenges in the region. The study recommends that government should address ethnic-driven crises by strengthening state security capacity, secure borders to prevent illegal crossings, smuggling, and weapons proliferation and running an inclusive government that guarantees equity and representation across Nigeria.