Social Identity Threat and In-Group Favouritism Among Ethnic Groups at a Multi-Ethnic Nigerian University in Kano State

Ethnic identity salience and social identity threat have significant implications for inter-group behaviour in Nigeria's multi-ethnic universities, where resource competition, political mobilisation, and cultural tensions create persistent inter-group friction. This study examines the relationship between social identity threat and in-group favouritism among students from different ethnic groups at Bayero University Kano, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional experimental survey design is applied to 300 students from three major ethnic groups (Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo) stratified equally, with social identity threat manipulated through a prime condition paradigm. In-group favouritism is measured using resource allocation tasks and an inter-group attitude scale. ANOVA, t-tests, and regression analysis are performed in SPSS to compare in-group favouritism across threat conditions and ethnic groups. Literature from Nigerian inter-group psychology identifies perceived ethnic marginalisation and competition for admission and employment as the primary social identity threat sources at multi-ethnic universities. Social Identity Theory by Tajfel and Turner and the Identity Threat Model by Branscombe provide the dual theoretical framework. This study fills an empirical gap in experimental social psychology from Northern Nigerian university contexts. Findings will inform multi-ethnic campus inclusion programming and inter-group dialogue initiatives at Bayero University Kano. Keywords: social identity threat, in-group favouritism, ethnic groups, Bayero University Kano, North West Nigeria.