National Identity and Citizenship – SS3 Citizenship & Heritage Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

National identity is the sense of belonging to a nation, made up of the feelings, values, beliefs and characteristics that connect a person to their country and to other citizens.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what national identity is and why it is important;
2. state the difference between national identity and citizenship;
3. list and describe the main components of national identity;
4. describe how national identity is built and maintained;
5. identify the threats to national identity and ways of strengthening it.

What is national identity?

National identity is the sense of belonging to a nation, which goes deeper than a passport or place of birth.

• Feelings: pride and connection, for example when Nigeria’s football team plays or the national anthem is sung.
• Shared outlook: saying “I am Nigerian” expresses belonging, and not only geography.
• Link to others: it connects you to millions of fellow citizens.

Why is national identity important?

National identity holds a country together by making people with different backgrounds work for the common good.

• Diversity: Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups, with different languages, religions and traditions.
• Unity: national identity is what lets us call ourselves Nigerians first.

A strong national identity means:

• Belonging: people feel they are part of the nation.
• Concern: they care about the country’s future.
• Cooperation: they are willing to help one another.
• Peace: they live together peacefully despite differences.
• Defence: they protect and defend their nation.

What is the difference between national identity and citizenship?

Citizenship is the legal status of belonging to a country, while national identity is the emotional and cultural sense of belonging.

• Citizenship: set out in the constitution and laws, and gives a person rights and responsibilities.
• National identity: how a person sees themselves and feels about their country.

• Can differ: a person can hold Nigerian citizenship without feeling Nigerian.
• Usually together: a good citizen normally develops love and pride for the nation.

What are the components of national identity?

There are ten components of national identity: language, history, culture, symbols, values, territory, laws and government, aspirations, sports and entertainment, and the economic and political system.

1. Common language

Language lets citizens understand each other and carries culture.

• Official language: English is Nigeria’s official language, so students from Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt can study together.
• Pidgin and Nigerian English: a shared way of speaking with millions of Nigerians.
• Local languages: proverbs, jokes and sayings carry each group’s culture.

2. Common history

A shared history is the story of what a people have been through together.

• Colonial rule: Nigeria was colonised by Britain.
• Independence: Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960.
• Hard times: the country survived a civil war and has had both military and democratic governments.
• Lesson: learning the good and the bad shows where Nigeria came from and what connects Nigerians.

3. Common culture and traditions

Culture is the way of life of a people, including food, music, dress and ceremonies.

• Diversity: Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa weddings, foods, music and dress differ.
• Respect: seeing the beauty in another Nigerian’s tradition is national identity.
• Shared culture: Nollywood films, Afrobeats, jollof rice and pepper soup are now seen as Nigerian.

4. Common symbols

Symbols are signs that represent what a nation stands for.

• National flag: green, white, green.
• National anthem: “Arise O Compatriots”.
• National motto: “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress”.
• National colours: green and white.
• National emblem: the coat of arms.
• Meaning: they become powerful when millions of people agree that they stand for something important.

5. Shared values and beliefs

Shared values are the basic beliefs most Nigerians hold in spite of their differences.

• Hard work: the “Nigerian spirit”.
• Family and community: people look after each other.
• Respect for elders: a widely held value.
• Hospitality: guests are welcomed.
• Faith: most Nigerians are religious, whether Muslim or Christian.
• Pride in excellence: Nigerians feel proud when a fellow Nigerian excels in sports, music, science or business anywhere in the world.

6. Common territory

Territory is the land within a nation’s borders, which every citizen calls home.

• Borders: Nigeria’s borders are recognised internationally.
• Home: abroad, a Nigerian names Nigeria as the place they come from.
• Natural features: rivers, mountains, forests and resources, such as the River Niger, are part of national pride.

7. Common laws and government

A government makes laws that all citizens follow, and this shows acceptance of one nation.

• Institutions: the constitution, the president, governors, representatives, courts and police.
• Equal service: they should serve all Nigerians equally, whatever their ethnic group or religion.
• Peaceful solutions: problems are solved through shared institutions, and not through violence.
• Participation: voting in elections and obeying the law strengthen national identity.

8. National aspirations and goals

National aspirations are the dreams a nation has for its future.

• Leadership: becoming a leading African nation.
• Education: good education for all children.
• Jobs: creating jobs and fighting poverty.
• Infrastructure: building strong roads, power and other facilities.
• Excellence: being known for innovation.
• Peace: living in peace and unity.
• Everyone contributes: an engineer, a teacher and a farmer all work towards these goals.

9. Sports and entertainment

Sports and entertainment bring Nigerians together in shared pride.

• Sports: when the Super Eagles play in the World Cup, the nation watches, celebrates and cries together.
• Music and film: when Nigerian artists such as Burna Boy and Tiwa Savage gain international recognition, Nigerians at home and abroad feel proud.
• Reach: they unite people in ways that politics and economics sometimes cannot.

10. Economic and political system

The way a nation organises its economy and politics reflects who its people are.

• Democracy: Nigeria practises democracy, which says every voice matters.
• Mixed economy: private and public sectors exist together, giving people opportunities to work and build wealth.
• When they work well: people feel proud to be Nigerian.
• When they fail: people lose faith in national identity.

How is national identity built and maintained?

National identity is built over time in six main ways: education, family, media, national celebrations, symbols and monuments, and leadership and role models.

Education

• Learning: schools teach the nation’s history, values and achievements.
• Practice: pupils sing the anthem, salute the flag and study civic education.
• Mixing: students from different regions and religions learn together, building understanding and unity.

Family

• First teacher: parents teach what it means to be Nigerian and pass on values.
• Celebrations: families mark national holidays together.
• Attitude: positive talk about the country builds identity, while negative talk weakens it.

Media and communication

• Channels: television, radio, newspapers and social media shape how people see the nation.
• Positive stories: reports of Nigerian achievements strengthen identity.
• Only bad news: constant focus on corruption and failure weakens it.
• In a crisis: the media can bring people together or divide them.

National celebrations

• Independence Day: celebrated on 1 October.
• Festivals and parades: waving the flag and hearing patriotic songs let people share national pride.

Symbols and monuments

• Reminders: the flag, colours, monuments and statues recall national history and pride.
• Membership: seeing the emblem or hearing the anthem reminds people they belong.

Leadership and role models

• Leaders: leaders who work for the common good inspire citizens.
• Independence-era figures: Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello are among the leaders who helped win independence.
• Other heroes: sports stars, scientists and artists who make Nigeria proud.

What are the threats to national identity?

There are five main threats to national identity: corruption, ethnic and religious tension, poor performance of institutions, cultural invasion, and poor history and civic education.

Corruption

• Effect: stealing public money damages national pride.
• Result: people lose trust in national institutions, so ethnic loyalty grows stronger than national loyalty.

Ethnic and religious tension

• Cause: groups compete for power or resources by ethnic group or religion, instead of by ideas or competence.
• Example: voting along ethnic lines instead of choosing the best candidate.
• Result: ethnic identity is placed above national identity.

Poor performance of national institutions

• Signs: corrupt police, slow courts and failure to provide basic services.
• Result: broken government vehicles and poor public hospitals make people feel the country is not serious.

Cultural invasion

• Foreign influence: foreign values or systems can crowd out local identity.
• Examples: young people who only watch foreign films and forget Nigerian culture, or who think foreign is always better.

Poor history and civic education

• Lack of knowledge: youths who do not know their history or constitution cannot build a strong national identity.
• Schools: if symbols and achievements are not taught, students do not develop pride.

How can we strengthen national identity?

National identity is strengthened by seven actions: learning history, supporting institutions, celebrating diversity, supporting Nigerian excellence, being a good citizen, promoting unity and joining national discussions.

• Learn history: read about the struggles, victories and figures of independence and unity.
• Support national institutions: respect the law, vote wisely and take part in civic activities.
• Celebrate diversity: be proud of your ethnic identity but see yourself as Nigerian first, for example a Hausa student learning about Yoruba culture.
• Support Nigerian excellence: watch Nigerian films, listen to Nigerian music and buy Nigerian-made products.
• Be a good citizen: pay taxes, keep the environment clean, do not litter and help your community.
• Promote unity in diversity: make friends across ethnic and religious lines, such as joining a friend’s Ileya or Christmas celebration.
• Join national discussions: talk about what you want Nigeria to become and what changes are needed.

Evaluation

1. What is national identity?
2. State the difference between national identity and citizenship.
3. List five components of national identity and explain any two.
4. Describe four ways in which national identity is built and maintained.
5. Mention three threats to national identity and three ways of strengthening it.

Assignment

Write a one-page piece titled “What it means to be Nigerian”. Name the component of national identity you think is most important and give reasons. State two things you will do to strengthen national identity in your community.