Using Nigeria as a case study and drawing copious illustrations from other African countries, in particular, Tanzania and the Republic of South Africa, this work discusses the significance of language in the process by which post-colonial African societies have been constructing their identity. It engages in both an historical and contemporary analysis of the central role of European - and sometimes African - languages in the process of state construction and in group conflicts. Its adoption of a multidisciplinary approach provides background information for scholars and teachers in African politics, linguistics, literature, education, and international studies.