Nigeria, May 29 -- In certain social silos, it is common to hear uncomplimentary comments about Nigeria's unity and the chances of bridging the fault lines. My position has always been that where leadership aspires to the loftiest of ideals, change is possible, even if it is incremental. In multi-ethnic societies like Nigeria, achieving homogeneity in ideas and absolute alignment on certain matters may be a push up the hill, but where there is leadership with the aptitude for managing complexities, the amplitude for national cohesion will resonate.

No nation is without discontents; hence, it is important to always properly contextualise disagreements among groups, faiths, and citizens in the broader conversation about Nigeria's unity. Th...