Benue State University, Makurdi

Us – Them Mentality Vis-À-Vis Current Security Challenges in Nigeria: The Way Forward

Ejikemeuwa J. O. Ndubisi, PhD and Ukaulor, Chidimma Stella, PhD

Abstract

It is undeniable the existential fact that the human person is a being that cannot but interact with others. It is in this sense that we say that the human person is a social being. As a social being, every human person belongs to a social group. Members of a particular social group are believed to share the same or similar ideologies and belief system which may be different from other social groups. This underscores the notion of us them dichotomy. Experience has shown that when a member of one’s social group is injured or killed, it is perceived as criminal; but when it has to do with a member of another social group, it becomes a normal thing. This mentality is a clear manifestation of discrimination, ill-treatment, marginalization, social inequality and violent conflict in human society. Employing the philosophical method of phenomenology, this study observes that us – them mentality is the major hunchback of the current security challenges in Nigeria. It further argues that this mentality has brought about polarization of Nigerians. The paper concludes that as Nigerians, we have to rise above the mentality of us – them dichotomy in order to guarantee a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. We should always be conscious of the fact that despite our individual and group differences, we are human beings and more still, we are Nigerians.

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