On the special occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Nigeria's political independence, this book frames the socio-historical and political trajectory of Nigeria while examining the many dimensions of the critical choices that has shaped the country.

This book was published as a special issue of the Journal of Contemporary African Studies.

1. Introduction - Nigeria at 50: The Nation in Narration Ebenezer Obadare and Wale Adebanwi 2. The Limits of Charismatic Authority and the Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria Eghosa Osaghae 3. Between Elite Protectionism and Popular Resistance: The Political Economy of Nigeria's Fractured State since Juridical Independence Kunle Amuwo 4. The Petroleum Industry: A Paradox or (Sp)oiler of Development? Cyril Obi 5. The Nigerian Federal System: Performance, Problems and Prospects Rotimi Suberu 6. How God became a Nigerian! Religious Impulse and the Unfolding of a Nation Afe Adogame 7. Nigerian Elections and the Neopatrimonial Paradox: In Search of the Social Contract Darren Kew

Ebenezer Obadare is an assistant professor of Sociology at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA. He is the co-editor of Encountering the Nigerian State (Palgrave-Macmillan, 2010). A MacArthur Foundation Research and Writing grant awardee, Dr. Obadare's articles have appeared in African Affairs, The Journal of Modern African Studies, Development in Practice, Politique Africaine, Africa Development, African Identities, and the Review of African Political Economy.

Wale Adebanwi is an assistant professor in the African American and African Studies at University of California-Davis in the United States. He is the co-editor of Encountering the Nigerian State (Palgrave-Macmillan, 2010). A recipient of the MacArthur Foundation Research and Writing grant, Adebanwi's articles have appeared in the Journal of Historical Sociology, The Journal of Modern African Studies, Ethnic and Racial Studies, Media, Culture and Society, Review of African Political Economy, Citizenship Studies and the Journal of African History.