ELITE CIRCULATION IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF OYO STATE

ABSTRACT

Since the evolution of civilization, the human society has attained an unintentional stratification into two unequal classes of people; the few ruling leadership and the vast masses of ruled people. It is however no secret that the few ruling class, otherwise called the elite have continually dominated every sector of the society, passing the baton of control from one elite to another. This study was undertaken to examine the circulation of elites in Nigeria, with particular reference to Oyo state. The study relied on secondary source of data collection. From the findings of this paper, elite circulation in Oyo state is sustained by some factors which include, corruption, illiteracy, poverty, incessant desire for power among others. The study pinpoints that elite politics is one of the factors orchestrating political, social and economic crises in Oyo state and Nigeria at large. Finally, the study outlines some suggestions to see to the reduction, or possibly the eradication of elite circulation in Oyo state and Nigeria at large.