PLURALISM AND THE PROBLEM OF DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: A PHILOSOPHICAL INVESTIGATION

Abstract

Inevery heterogeneous society, pluralism seems to be a factor often considered in every development policy, if such policy must thrive well. The thrust of this paper is to carry out a philosophical investigation in quest for a necessary link between pluralism and development in Nigeria, in search for a better alternative measure, for ensuring greater acceleration of development. Qualitative research method was adopted. Data for the study were drawn from books journals, articles and periodicals. Data from these sources were analyzed using textual exposition, historical and evaluative methods. The discourse reveals that the seeming impotency of most development policies in Nigeria is as a result of inadequate subscription to pluralism, occasioned in turn by the nature of our current Federalism. This study recommends true Fiscal Federalism for Nigeria, as a socio-political and economic structure that can best guarantee the necessary factor of respect for pluralism, and as a result, accelerate socio-economic development in Nigeria