NIETZSCHE’S PRINCIPLE OF INDIVIDUALISM AND SELF-OVERCOMING: A PATHWAY FOR NIGERIA’S DEVELOPMENT

Nigeria is a country with diverse cultures, traditions and societal expectations. These societal expectations pose a threat to human beings when the demands are not achieved. Generally, society expects individuals to possess certain characteristics like strength, leadership and courage. People are also expected to succeed professionally, support their families and contribute to their communities regardless of any hindrances. However, these expectations vary from one culture or belief system to another. Friedrich Nietzsche’s theory of individualism and self overcoming offers valuable insights that can be of great help when applied to the context of Nigeria's development system. Nietzsche believes in the power of individuals to rise above societal norms and limitations to achieve greatness and self-fulfillment. For Nigerians, the concept of individualism can be seen as a means for personal growth and empowerment to break out or free them from the constraints of social conformity and define their own paths, values and aspirations. Though religion as one of the agents of socialization has its own merit, it has been a great threat to society. Nigeria cannot attain her expected development when most Nigerians are yet to be freed from the shackles of religious indoctrination to the realm of self-fulfillment and self-actualization. To be freed from these limitations, this paper proposes individualism and self-overcoming as a panacea against religious indoctrination and cultural belief systems that are hindering our development as a nation.

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