APQ - APPON PHILOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY

This paper explores the philosophical concept of the Face of the Other as a basis to analyse the relationship between the Nigerian State and its citizens in a fragmented nation. It contends that the State's failure to recognise and respond ethically to the “face of the other,” the diverse ethnic, religious, and socio-economic groups, has caused a breakdown in social cohesion and a crisis of responsibility. Drawing on the works of philosophers like Emmanuel Levinas, the work, using analytical and critical methods, investigates how the Nigerian State has historically objectified or ‘instrumentalised’ its citizens, rather than recognising them as unique individuals with an ethical claim on its attention. It will then identify how this objectification has intensified ethnic tensions, political corruption, and a sense of alienation among the population. The paper ultimately proposes a way forward for governance in Nigeria based on a Levinasian ethics of responsibility, where the State’s primary duty is not to dominate but to respond to the needs and vulnerabilities of its citizens. By re-centring the “face of the other” in its political philosophy, the Nigerian State can begin to mend its deepseated divisions and build a more just and inclusive society.

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