THE CHALLENGE OF ETHNOCENTRISM IN NIGERIAAND THE YIN-YANG PRINCIPLE OF COMPLEMENTARITY

Abstract

Arguably, ethnocentrism remains a bane to unity and development in Nigeria. Whereas some blame it on colonialism and bad governance, this paper, however, contends that ethnocentrism is a product of a negative mindset in most Nigerians, which must to be corrected for any better experience in social relations to hold. In view of this, the paper examines the negative mindset that undergirds the ethnocentric attitude in social relations in Nigeria. It explores the potential of the Taoist Yin-Yang philosophical principle of complementarity in view of re-orienting the mindset of Nigerians along the more positive lines of complementary mode of thought and existence. It concludes with the view that this principle has much to offer the Nigerian society at this critical time, as its ideals of complementary consciousness and mutual co-existence of things, are essential for effective management of our ethnic diversity. The paper adopts critical method of research.