Colonial Legacies and Political Instability in Postcolonial Nigeria.

The article focuses on how British colonial governance structures have contributed to persistent political instability and ethnic fragmentation in postcolonial Nigeria. It analyzes colonial administrative practices—such as arbitrary border creation, indirect rule, and ethnic-based political representation—and their interaction with post-independence elite agency, which together have shaped Nigeria's fragmented national identity and recurrent crises including military coups and secessionist movements. Employing qualitative methods and comparative case studies of Ghana and Kenya, the study highlights how colonial-era institutional designs and regional economic disparities created incentives for ethnic competition that elites exploit to maintain power. The article concludes with policy recommendations emphasizing constitutional reforms, decentralization, and inclusive initiatives aimed at fostering national cohesion and mitigating the negative legacies of colonial rule.