PROMOTING NATIONAL UNITY: THE ROLE OF THE NIGERIAN HISTORIANS

Abstract

The pursuit of national unity has been a central theme in Nigeria’s quest to attaining true nationhood. As an integrative concept, national unity emphasizes the development of a common identity and social cohesion among individuals within a nation. One of the key mandates of history as a discipline is to help the people understand themselves better by promoting awareness of their past, including both internal and external relations. This study aims to assess and evaluate the role of historians in promoting national unity in Nigeria. The study adopts a qualitative approach, relying primarily on secondary sources such as books, academic journals, newspaper articles and other relevant literature to explore the concept of national unity. The findings of the study reveal that historians have played significant role in fostering national unity and building the Nigerian nation, though certain areas still require greater attention. The study concludes by advocating a more active role for historians, emphasizing that history offers a unique lens through which we understand the past. It recommends that historians consistently provide accurate historical insights and explanations that facilitate a deeper understanding of Nigeria’s history and contribute meaningfully to the national project.