OWIJOPPA Volume 5 Number 2 2021

HUMAN IDENTITY CRISIS AND UNSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA: A CRITICAL STUDY

Evaristus Emeka Isife
Abstract

Sustainable development of civil societies depends on the sustainable effort of people inhabiting such societies. Sustainable effort however stems from people with firm and stable identity. This makes sustainable development a product of people whose identity is largely dependable. Contrarily however, it means that unsustainable development in civil societies is largely fostered by human identity crisis. In absence of dependable identity therefore, African nations are laden with poor development glaring in poor leadership, poor human condition, poor institutions and structures. Such unsustainable development has in present time fostered mass agitation, militancy, terrorism and unending secession movements. This paper analytically examines human identity crisis and unsustainable development in Africa. It proffers axiological solutions to the conspicuous identity crisis plaguing the larger population of African continent. The study however finds that African identity crisis is a cultural crisis and progressive societies are stable societies with dependable and authentic identity. The paper therefore concludes that solution to African unsustainable development must begin with tackling the continent's identity crisis which is frustrating evolvement of indigenous theories, practice and development efforts of the people.

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