State Fragility, State Formation, and Human Security in Nigeria

Mike Adeyeye, Obafemi Awolowo University, NigeriaOlufemi Akinola, Obafemi Awolowo University, NigeriaDapo F. Asaju, Lagos State University, Nigeria Harriet S. Asaju, Lagos State University, NigeriaAyokunle Fagbemi, Center for Peacebuilding and Socio-Economic Resources Development (CePSERD), Nigeria Axel Harneit-Sievers, Heinrich Böll Foundation Olawale Ismail, King's College, London, UK Ben Naanen, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria Fatai A. Olasupo, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria Ayo Olukotun, University of Lagos, Nigeria Adedayo Oluwakayode Adekson, The Great Lakes Colleges Association

'Perceptive and insightful analyses of society's reaction to the structural imbalance of the Nigerian nation-state. Written by astute analysts of Nigerian studies, the chapters contained in this volume are engaging and timely - an important contribution to the study of the Nigerian state and society.' - Olufemi Vaughan, Geoffrey Canada Professor of Africana Studies & History, Bowdoin College, USA 'This fresh perspective on Nigeria's irrepressible socio-political terrain refashions our discourse on the African state, with a crisp but intimately informed exploration of spaces where citizens encounter the fragile state. The authors eschew the hackneyed focus on orthodox nongovernmental organizations, and therefore successfully capture a vibrant landscape of associational formations that are vitally present in everyday life, but neglected in the literature. These self-help organizations, rooted in contexts of region, ethnicity, religion, age, and class are not cast as the new democratic panacea, but they satisfactorily defy notions of citizen passivity and reflect alternative loci for collective voice and critical social action. Okome has provided scholars and practitioners with a provocative framework for understanding and debating the political future.' - Peyi Soyinka-Airewele, Associate Professor of International Politics, Ithaca College, USA

• 1. State Fragility, State Formation, and Human Security in Nigeria: Introduction, Concepts, and Questions; Mojúbàolú Olúfúnké Okome 2. State and Civil Society in Nigeria in the Era of Structural Adjustment Program, 1986–1993; Mojúbàolú Olúfúnké Okome 3. 'Civil' or 'Uncivil' Society? Revisiting the Proliferation of Ethnic Organizations in Southern Nigeria; Adedayo Oluwakayode Adekson 4. From 'Area-Boyism' to 'Junctions and Bases': Youth Social Formation and the Micro Structures of Violence in Lagos Island; Olawale Ismail 5. State Failure and Niger Delta Conflict; Ben Naanen and Kialee Nyiayaana 6. Anatomy of Conflicts in Northern Nigeria; C. Nna-Emeka Okereke 7. Social Obligations of the Church in a Failed Nigerian State; Dapo F. Asaju and Harriet Seun Dapo-Asaju 8. The Role of the Christian Church in Building Civil Society in Nigeria; Rotimi Williams Omotoye and Elisabeth DeCampos 9. An Assessment of Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding Capabilities in Nigeria: Reflections of a Practitioner; Ayokunle Fagbemi