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National integration is one of the un-accomplished desires in Nigeria. This paper examines cultural cum ethnic pluralism and national integration in Nigeria. The objective is to prove how cultural diversities and ethnic differences play negative roles against achieving national integration and cohesiveness in Nigeria. Basic concepts, such as: culture, ethnicity, ethnic pluralism, cultural pluralism, national integration and other related terms are clarified. The functions of culture as well as the cultural patterns of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria are discussed. This paper also, addresses the problems of cultural and ethnic pluralism in Nigeria to ensure unity within diversity for a strong, united, virile and democratic society in Nigeria. Among other suggestions, this paper recommends that massive cultural education should be embarked upon by relevant agencies, like the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to take pride in the strength and plurality of Nigeria. It concludes that Nigerians see themselves first as members of one cultural or ethnic group or the other, and secondarily as Nigerians. This does not promote national integration and nationhood. Hence, it suggests the way forward that would enhance national integration, which is crucial for peace and the development of the Nigerian people.

This paper discusses how Nigeria as a nation can achieve national security through, not just education, but qualitative education. National security has been described in this paper, as freedom from or resilience against potential harm caused by others. For easy comprehension and assimilation, the paper was strategically broken down into six, (6) distinct sections, to wit; conceptualization of key words, causes of insecurity in Nigeria, effects of insecurity in Nigeria, role of education in checkmating insecurity, previous efforts by governments to address insecurity issues and; conclusion and recommendations. The paper was able to establish the fact that quality education can reduce incidences of insecurity, even if not totally eradicated. Education, this paper revealed is a major weapon of progressive social change. The paper concludes that sound education anchored on good educational policies and implementation can reduce, to a manageable extent, insecurity in Nigeria. Therefore some recommendations, such as declaring a state of emergency in the educational sector to reduce illiteracy, were proffered. This, the paper suggested, among others will provide a panacea for the problem of insecurity in Nigeria.