INTERROGATING THE CHALLENGE OF SOCIAL DISINTEGRATION IN NIGERIA WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AXEL HONNETH’S THEORY OF RECOGNITION

Résumé

The paper examined Axel Honneth’s idea of ‘recognition’ as an ‘intersubjective, dialogical and historical construction through which the subjects seek their realization in three essential domains: love, rights and social esteem from which arise, respectively, selfconfidence, self-respect and self-esteem’. The paper affirms that, Nigeria is a multicultural and heterogeneous society, hence, the enormity of the task of ensuring social integration amidst the apparent diversities. The paper interrogates the factors that accounts for the social disintegration threatening the Nigerian state in recent times; further, it argues that the recent agitations within the country indicate that Nigeria has failed in its task of ensuring social cohesion and integration. The renewed agitation for an independent republic of Biafra by the South-Eastern geo-political zone, the resurgence of militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, Fulani herdsmen and farmers vendetta, inter-ethnic and religious crises among others, indicate strongly that Nigeria is heading towards social disintegration if the root cause of these agitations is not exposed and formidable resolution proffered. Following the discourse, the paper identifies lack of proper mutual intersubjective, intercultural/interregional and political recognition of human dignity, plights and rights as a fundamental cause of these agitations threatening the unity of the country. Thus, using Axel Honneth’s idea of recognition, this paper submits that with a mutual recognition of the other person, region or group and their contributions as co-possessors of rights and dignity, the separatist tendencies in Nigeria will be alleviated and the imminent disintegration averted for greater unity, integration and cohesion.