ABSTRACT
Hometown associations can be seen as part of the structured coherence that has allowed Nigerian communities to hold together in times of great change. Through Nigeria’s turbulent history, people have turned to a form of local social and political organization, generically known as a hometown association, to provide local governance in the absence not only of genuinely local units of government but also of responsive governments at the state and national levels. Sometimes the creation of a hometown association was in part a challenge to the traditional governance structure back home, especially when that structure was based on privilege rather than merit, as was often the case. Hometown associations are in effect a fourth level of governance in Nigeria, providing local services and local voices. The timing and circumstances of Nigeria’s independence are of crucial importance to its jurisdictional structure. Jurisdictional space is fixed with services provided within and only within the jurisdiction.
