Abstract

Karl Popper believes that anti-nationalist posture enhances societal peace and harmony. He is therefore averse to tribalism most especially in a modern plural society. To Popper, nationalism is borne out of a closed tribal mentality and a belief in the supremacy of one’s tribe over every other tribe. Tribalism presupposes exclusiveness, solidarity, affinity, affiliation and nationalism. Such a mentality is the integrating factor that unites ethnic groups. This mentality can be noticed in many modern African societies which seems to have made nation-building a difficult task. More often than not, African political leaders deploy tribalism as an instrument to: protect, promote and preserve their subterfuge interests. The extent of their actions has manifested in the several tribal and religious conflicts that are prevalent in modern Africa, which have brought disunity, disaffection, and discontent, among the ethnic groups. The fallouts of ethnic bigotry are fear of domination, sense of aloofness, disloyalty to the state. To substantially curb this menace, the paper corroborates Popper’s view of exorcising tribal mentality in African society for the purpose of nation-building. It also calls for de-tribalised, visionary and altruistic leadership that will elevate African states into nationhood. While the conflict theory illuminates the study, the paper adopts historical and analytical methodologies.