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Ethnic Entrepreneurs and Movements for New Administrative Units: Lessons from Nigeria

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  • Ryan Saylor

Abstract

Many countries, especially in Africa, have increased their subnational administrative units in recent years. Researchers point to marginalized ethnic groups as a key force behind administrative subdivision. This article seeks to disentangle the relative influence of elites and the masses in prompting two movements for new administrative units in Nigeria (for Bayelsa and Ekiti states). I find that elites generated the movements, but not simply by mobilizing co-ethnics around an enduring identity. Rather, political entrepreneurs reconfigured ethnic boundaries and infused latent identities with new significance. They found ethnic appeals to be expedient for political mobilization. This finding cautions against interpreting ethnic mobilization for new districts as cultural groundswells. Overall, this article contributes to the emerging debate over the sources of demand for new administrative units in the developing world.

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  • Ryan Saylor, 2016. "Ethnic Entrepreneurs and Movements for New Administrative Units: Lessons from Nigeria," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 46(4), pages 568-595.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:publus:v:46:y:2016:i:4:p:568-595.
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    1. Posner,Daniel N., 2005. "Institutions and Ethnic Politics in Africa," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521541794, October.
    2. Conroy-Krutz, Jeffrey, 2013. "Information and Ethnic Politics in Africa," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 43(2), pages 345-373, April.
    3. World Bank, 2008. "An Evaluation of Bank Support for Decentralization in Client Countries," World Bank Publications - Reports 10595, The World Bank Group.
    4. Independent Evaluation Group, 2008. "Decentralization in Client Countries : An Evaluation of World Bank Support, 1990-2007," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 6543.
    5. Posner,Daniel N., 2005. "Institutions and Ethnic Politics in Africa," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521833981, October.
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