Since 1900, the Yoruba identity engaged the working of ethno-history in South-western
Nigeria. This resulted in ethno-nationalist movements and ethnic politics, characterized by
violence against the State and some other ethnic groups in Nigeria. Relying on mythology,
traditions and subjective cultural pride, the Yoruba created history establishing a panYoruba
identity among different Yoruba sub-groups, use for the imagination of a nation. The
people’s history and socio-political space in Nigeria were used by the Yoruba political elite,
both during the colonial and post-colonial periods to negotiate more access to political and
economic resources in the country. Like nationalism, ethno-nationalist movements and ethnic
politics continue in South-western Nigeria without resulting to actual independent Yoruba
nation as at 2009. Through ethnography, this paper examines the working of history,
tradition and modernity on ethno-nationalism. It also argues that the Yoruba ethnonationalist
movements and ethnic politics are constructive agenda dated back to the precolonial
period and continue to change in structure and function. Thus, the Yoruba ethnonationalist
movements and ethnic politics are adaptive and complex. They remain a challenge
to State actions in Nigeria.