₦airaland Forum

This is exactly why I hesitate when people from the Tiv regions (Kogi and Benue) try to align themselves with the Yorubas. Yoruba culture is rooted in love, hospitality, and deep values. But unfortunately, some individuals from those areas still seem influenced by a blend of conflicting identities and a lingering dependence mentality that doesn’t reflect the Yoruba spirit.

obailala:
I agree with Festus! OBI will lose a large number of supporters, possibly up to 40%, if he agrees to deputise Atiku.

However, the remaining 60% OBI supporters + Atiku's followers + the mass of Nigerians tormented by hunger + the multitude of tribal northerners currently angry with Tinubu's perceived Yorubanisation, APC would be packing it's bags by 2027 if that coalition ever happens. Festus knows this too!

The same number they didn’t lose in 2019 when they had over11million votes.

sparko1:
Actually, he isn't, with Atiku, there is zero chance they will win.

How are you so sure about this? Or are you just giving yourself some sweet, unnecessary hope? Let’s deal with the facts: in the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar (with Peter Obi) scored 11.26 million votes that’s 41.22% of the total. While Muhammadu Buhari pulled in 15.19 million votes (55.60%), a margin of about 3.93 million votes. This was even Peter Obi became popular. Everybody in APC knows this number and that’s what giving them headaches and sleepless nights and they are trying everything to make sure that number won’t happen again.

But unfortunately you are not, so keep your advice to yourself.

EvilMerodack:
Ibechris2 and FILEBE

Come and preach to your bro. No be when Yoruba person talk, una go dey give sermon

You know what I find truly intriguing about some of you? The moment anyone dares to challenge your deeply rooted biases or question your long-held beliefs, you react with blind emotion instead of reason. The next thing is to tag them ibo or obidient. That mindset is not only dangerous, it’s the very thing holding us back.

I refuse to be lumped together with the Yoruba “ponu”. people who are content to follow outdated ideologies without question, the slavery mentality. I represent a new generation of Yoruba, the Yoruba Ronu generation who are not afraid to speak out, ask hard questions, and demand better. We’re done with blind loyalty and recycled thinking. It’s time to think, not just follow.

flokii:
@OP Is anyone stopping you from living and doing business freely in any parts of Nigeria? the answer is NO.
What you are demanding for is just like what the Igbo Deputy Speaker wanted to push for visitors to have indigenes right after staying in a place for 10 years.

Be honest, will you as an Igbo man be comfortable having a Dan Fulani as Obi or Igwe in your territory?.. or will you be happy seeing a Mohammed Isa as Governor of Imo State?. In case you don't know, what you and your people are asking for is that all ethnic groups (over 300) in Nigeria should be stripped naked, stripped off their culture, tradition and values.
It makes no sense atal, the same you shouting you want bia.fra, that you don't want to share same country with Hausas and Yorubas all of a sudden want place of Origin erased, so you can be encroaching on other people's belongings as you like. It's not done anywhere in the world, everything is agreement, if Yorubas say they do not agree and Hausas too are rejecting it, then it can't stand cos it won't be binding on those other two except on Igbos in Igboland.

You know what? I’m honestly tired of responding to people who clearly didn’t read the article before jumping into the comments. It’s frustrating having to engage with those who either lack basic comprehension or are simply too lazy to read beyond the headline. If you had actually read the piece, you'd realize how off your response is. Sometimes I truly wonder how some people made it through school.

Now, I never said I was Igbo, but I actually find it flattering when people assume so. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being Igbo or any ethnicity for that matter.

Now, to answer your questions:

1. “Is anyone stopping you from living or doing business freely in any part of Nigeria?"
Well, let’s be honest. I want to be able as a Nigerian to buy land, get a job, or build a future anywhere in this country without being reminded that I’m a “stranger” because of where my ancestors came from. That’s what true unity should look like.

2. Nigeria is not the only country with over 300 ethnic groups. But the key question is: how have other multi-ethnic nations managed their diversity better than we have?

Even within the Southwest alone, divisions run deep. Take the Ife-Modakeke crisis, for example, how many lives were lost there? And that was an intra-Yoruba conflict. If Nigeria were to split today, you’d be shocked at the level of division that exists within each region. Just like in Animal Farm, you’ll soon hear that “some animals are more equal than others.”

Lastly, regarding "place of origin", I only brought that up to make a point. If we must all cling to ancestral roots, then perhaps it’s time you trace your way back to Ile-Ife, which history considers the cradle of the Yoruba. Or better still, go all the way to Arabia if you believe the theory that Oduduwa migrated from there.

9jatriot:
How does this relate to what you are writing or trying to say? You said you have not seen bla bla bla, I showed you examples of what you claimed not to have seen

What about the Asians, do they not always refer to where they are from. Even interstate, you will hear, "I am originally from Alabama ..." or my parents were from Omaha... so that section I extracted from your write up is false.

I don’t get your point really. According to you, “ you will hear, "I am originally from Alabama…” was it the system that demanded such information or the person willingly wanted to be identified with his parent origin? And if they chose not to, the system would ever question or limit them based on that.

Pls if you don’t understand simple comprehension I don’t know what else to tell you.

9jatriot:
Na only this lie I come burst. Everywhere in the world, they always ask or at least want to know where you are originally from. That is why we know where Obama and Kamara Harris are original from.

Even Disreali, the former prime minister of Britain is still always referred to by his Jewish heritage or is it the recent former Indian descent prime minister.

In some cases they may respond with "My parents were originally from ...", by then the information requested has been passed.

Except you are ashamed of where you come from, I see no reason why anyone wants to steal other people's identity. Poeple all over the world are proud of where they are from, the Jews and the Americans for example will always proudly identify who they are, so if you are ashamed of where you are from, it is not the fault of those who are not and want to properly identify you.

If you had read the article with an open mind, you might have understood the point, unless, of course, comprehension isn’t your strong suit. If you're truly Yoruba, why not trace your roots back to Arabia, as some historical accounts suggest, or return to Ile-Ife where Oduduwa is believed to have begun the Yoruba lineage? And if you're Igbo, why not head back to Israel, as certain oral histories claim?

Now you’re bringing up Obama and Trump? That’s a false equivalence. The American system doesn’t demand ancestral origin as a prerequisite for national identity. Obama and others chose to identify with their roots, it wasn’t imposed on them. The system never limited them based on where their parents came from. We have some Americans today that do want to be associated with their root.

If you doubt this, try having a child in the U.S., abandon your responsibilities, and watch how the system steps in, not because of where you came from, but because the child is already recognized and protected as an American citizen. Their system doesn’t tie a child’s identity to tribal origins, it protects it based on present and future value, not past lineage.

For your information, I’m not ashamed of my origin, never. I just wanted a better society than I met it for my kids. Our goal may be differ in that regard.

ObiORBiafra:
I dont care about the article. You are not grabbing anything. I went through your profile before submitting my opinion. If you ask any Yoruba man where he's from. He will tell you where is parents originated from. He'll mention his parents villages first, before mentioning their states but he can later add where he was born or totally neglect that part. I will never claim to be a Lagosian tho I was born and raised in Lagos. I will still tell you im from where my parents are from. Only you people are not afraid to throw your ancestry away for land grabbing. Like Zik, like Ojukwu, Kano, Ben Kalu, Ekpa and the rest of the ipob family.

.


It’s obvious you didn’t read a single line and that’s exactly why I won’t waste my time engaging you. I respond to people who read to understand, whether they agree or not. Not to those who rush to comment out of ignorance or ego. That kind of behavior is not only shallow, it’s dangerous. Proverbs says, 'He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of f.00l suffers harm.' I’ve learned to choose my company wisely."

EvilMerodack:
You wrote all that, only to shift to this t-r-ibal at-tack
You guys cant even pretend for long

Guy, I wasnt born in my home-state but i swear to God, i will never want to be a Lagos or Ibadan indigene(despite living more than half of my life there, love the place dearly and I'm Yoruba too). I love my hometown so much i wouldnt want to change anything about it

I wonder how you guys feel comfortable to even conceive this

Also, indigeneship and citizenship arent same. I dont know how London got into this convo

Pls can you show me where the tribal a.tt ack came from because it seems I’m beginning to lack comprehension. You accused me of tribal sentiment without mentioning the area.

EvilMerodack:
You wrote all that, only to shift to this t-r-ibal at-tack
You guys cant even pretend for long

Guy, I wasnt born in my home-state but i swear to God, i will never want to be a Lagos or Ibadan indigene(despite living more than half of my life there, love the place dearly and I'm Yoruba too). I love my hometown so much i wouldnt want to change anything about it

I wonder how you guys feel comfortable to even conceive this

Also, indigeneship and citizenship arent same. I dont know how London got into this convo

My parent are from Lagos and I was born in Lagos. In other word, I’m a full blown lagosian. But that is not the discussion for today. Let’s go back to your comment which I respect but still disagree. Can you give us the brief history of your village? What can you tell us about the history and origin?

helinues:
Not all relationships would last for ever but just because you are not in good terms with others don't mean you should be disrespecting them.

You can see how South West have been handling some northerners having issue with this government without disrespecting them or their people

I may disagree but still respect your opinion. I hope one day, we can meet over a bottle of beer and laugh over or sentiments and st.upi ty as brothers.

Gorem2013:
To know that Arehbesola was a fringe and Ac technician before Tinubu upgrade him speak volumes of the type of people - terrible ingrates in coalition

Just like Atiku did to Obj

It’s not about Aregbe, it’s about Tinubu. Mention one person that tinubu purportedly raised and still in good term with him. Names like Ambode, Fashola, Fayemi, Sanwo-olu, Osinbajo, etc. just mention a name. Sanwo seems to be loyal at the moment just because he wants to complete his term in peace.

helinues:
You said we should discuss intellectually but you missed that part from your epistle. Is president Tinubu from the North?

If Reno and Wike are supporting president Tinubu, would you have expected them to be rallying around the coalition/opposition?

You are entitled to your opinion and I respect that, but disagree. But I still love you as a brother. I have said this before, I’m proud to be an African man not because I’m a Yoruba man, but because I’m a Nigeria. The name Nigeria is more respected anywhere in the word that the Yoruba. The day Nigeria ceased to exist the day i ceased to be an African man, trust me I have that option available.

7lives:
Baalu to ti fo lo nsewo si.
Oko kii je ti baba t'omo ko ma ni aala.
So Yoruba should be nice enough to hand over the control of their homeland, to their oloju kokoro neighbors
Ara a pa bata, pa jewen jewen eti e.
Come out and say it openly, it's like you don't know how pissed the Yorubas are,, with this ko eran mo ero country.

Oro e ye mi daada. Sugbon ojo iwaju ni emi nwo. This would definitely affect our us later in life. Awon ara wa ni itosi wa didn’t get to this level of marginalization overnight.

ObiORBiafra:
Oga rest. You are not going to become indigene in SW. Your state lawmakers can enact laws that allow foreigners to become indigene lets start from there... you have been accused severally of land grabbing. Relax. You are not going to hijack Nigeria. Give it up. Eyes are wide open.

I’m almost certain you didn’t read the article, your response reeks of ignorance shaped by shallow opinions. Maybe take a moment to actually read it, and then you might grasp the context behind the reference to “my forefathers” and what that says about my so-called place of origin.

helinues:
Some people can't keep on disrespecting others and think things would remain same. Ko possible

If you've been paying attention to recent trends, you'll notice that the Hausa-Fulani, once the Southwest's political allies and “beautiful bride" are slowly shifting their allegiance. Our dear Igbo brothers from the South are also beginning to reassess their stance. At this rate, I wonder which region will still be there to stand by you when it truly matters. Don’t let the ambition of one man destroy the delicate harmony that once existed between the West and the rest of the country.

Mod
Seun

I hope you find this worthy of the front page.

Disclaimer
This piece is personal. You’re free to disagree, but I hope you read with an open heart. If your response is petty or vindictive rather than honest and constructive, I won’t stay silent. Be guided.

I remember the joy of growing up in Nigeria when names didn’t matter, when tribes didn’t divide us, and when children laughed without knowing where you “came from.” My friends were from Sokoto, Cross River, Borno, Delta, Lagos, Enugu. We played, ate, and fought like brothers, not strangers.

Back then, whenever anyone asked,
“Where are you from?” I’d smile and say, “I’m from Nigeria.” The confusion on their faces used to amuse me. Some expected me to say Lagos. Others guessed Maiduguri or Delta. None ever got it right. I liked it that way. I liked not being boxed in.

But that world? That innocence? It’s fading. And it hurts.

I’ve watched with a heavy heart how the very question of “Where are you from?” now builds walls between us. Walls built on prejudice. On suspicion. On politics. On lies.

In Nigeria, I’ve seen how people cling to the idea of “state of origin” as if it were carved into stone. But it’s not. Our ancestors didn’t drop from the sky. They moved. They wandered. They settled. They left one land for another, again and again, until they found a place to call home. From there another offspring moved and found another land they could call their home.

I remember visiting riverine communities as a USAID M&E officer. The elders told me how their people, fishermen used to spend days near rivers far from their villages. So, they built huts. Then homes. Then brought their wives. Their children were born there. Years passed. Generations passed. And now, those children say, “This is where we are from.” And honestly, they’re right.

So tell me, what is “origin,” really?

If Ile-Ife Was the Start, Where Did Oduduwa Come From? Some say all Yoruba people came from Ile-Ife. Others whisper stories about Oduduwa coming from Arabia. I’ve even heard claims that the Igbos trace their roots to Israel.

And if you believe the Bible, then our first father was Adam and our first address? The Garden of Eden.

So again, I ask: if everyone is from somewhere else, why do we use “where you’re from” to divide, exclude, and judge

I’ve travelled. I’ve lived outside Nigeria. And let me say this clearly: I’ve never seen a place where ancestral origin holds this much power over people’s lives.

In most places, what matters is where you are born, not where your great-grandfather migrated from. A child born in Texas is American. A child born in London is British. A child born in Lagos should be Nigerian-Lagosian even not labeled a “settler.”

And yet in Nigeria, that same child might be told, “You’re not from here.”

Why?

We’ve Institutionalized Division. Look at our school admissions. Some children are denied entry not because they’re not smart, but because their “state of origin” has higher cut-off marks. Others are told they don’t “belong” in civil service jobs. In their own country.

Our Constitution enshrines this. “Federal Character” was meant to give everyone a fair shot. But now? It’s being used to tell people they’re not welcome in places they’ve lived their whole lives.

Even our politics is soaked in tribal identity. Parties pick candidates by zones, not merit. People vote based on language, not leadership. And when violence breaks out? It’s often neighbors turning on neighbors, all in the name of “origin.”

If We Changed One Law, Everything Could Change

Imagine a Nigeria where your identity comes from where you're born or where you grow up. Imagine a Nigeria where…

A Hausa boy born in Lagos is simply Lagosian.

A Yoruba girl raised in Enugu is considered Igbo by identity.

A Tiv child born in Port Harcourt is treated as a Rivers native.

Do you know what that would do? That would unite us. That would heal us. That would build families that reflect the beautiful blend of who we are.

My fear for the Southwest. We used to be admired. Loved. Respected. The bride of the nation. But today, I see other regions slowly pulling back. The warmth is turning cold. The trust is wearing thin.

Worse still, our youth, the ones who should be wiser are becoming tools in political hands. Chanting division. Spreading hate. And I fear: the seeds of tribalism we’re planting now may one day grow into trees too tall to chop down.

A time may come when no region will trust us again. When we’ll cry out about marginalization and wonder how it all slipped away.

I am proud to be Black. But not just because I’m Yoruba.

I am proud to be African. But not just because I’m from Lagos.

I am proud to be Nigerian. Because that name, Nigeria, carries the weight of all our tribes, all our languages, all our dreams.

Let’s Break the Cycle.
What if we stopped asking “Where are you from?” and started asking “Where are you going?”

What if we raised our children not to carry the burden of tribal scars, but the hope of a united country?

What if we taught them that “home” is where you build your life, not just where your ancestors once lived?

That is the Nigeria I believe in. That is the Nigeria I still pray for.

RichBoy247:
OP, go and concentrate on your life before it's too late for you to make it in life

Oh really? This is coming from the "Bill Gates of Africa"? Or should we say the Dangote of our generation? Maybe even Tony Elumelu in disguise? I’m struggling to connect your loud opinion with any visible achievement that justifies your inflated sense of arrival. But alas, here we are.

I usually weigh my responses to situations like this with three options: to ignore, to react, or to respond.

Ordinarily, I would have ignored you as one does with things irrelevant to growth or progress. But then a verse from Proverbs came to mind: “Answer a f00.l according to his fo.Ll.y, lest he be wise in his own eyes.” I figured silence might be mistaken as endorsement of whatever it is you believe you’ve just done here.

Now, reacting would be too generous. You haven’t earned that.

But responding? ah yes, let me do that. Because as Les Brown once said, “Once a man opens his mouth, you know the quality of his mind.” And after reading through the many comments on this thread; thoughtful, intelligent, and well-argued, I had to pause when I got to yours. Not because it stood out in brilliance, but because it stood out in its sheer emptiness.

If this is the best your intellect can produce, I won’t insul.t you. I’ll just suggest a moment of reflection. Not for me, but for the sake of any future conversation you hope to be taken seriously in.

Let me be kind and leave you with a piece of advice: When you have nothing meaningful to say, silence is free and powerful.

Let’s hope the cycle of misplaced confidence ends with you, don’t pass it across to your next generation, pls do the world that favor.

Softmirror:
Running in circles, over and over again. Jonathan that you are making noise about will vote for Tinubu in 2027.

Jonathan can vote for whosoever he chooses to, if he likes he can vote for the same man that plotted his removal from the office,the same man that organized the infamous protest that led to his ouster, it’s solely his choice.

Oh, so now it’s all about the South? How absolutely heartwarming. Suddenly, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the chief crusader for the Southern Agenda, draped in regional pride, quoting equity, and humming “power must stay in the South” like it’s his personal anthem.

Where was all this “southern love” hiding the past two decades?

Let’s not pretend we all have amnesia. The same Tinubu who is now styling himself as the voice of the South, spent decades doing everything but supporting southern presidential candidates. In fact, he made a political career out of backing northern contenders over and over again until, of course, it was his turn.

The irony? It’s not subtle. It’s blaring.

Let’s Rewind the Tape, Shall We?

1999: Obasanjo vs The Rest
Candidate: Olusegun Obasanjo (PDP) Southwest.

Tinubu’s Role: Opposed him. Ran under AD and became one of Obasanjo’s most reliable antagonists.

Yes, even when a fellow Yoruba man had the presidency in reach, Tinubu opted for opposition. Why? Because the "South" wasn’t exactly his priority. Power was.

2003: Buhari’s First Romance with the South.
Candidate Supported: Muhammadu Buhari (ANPP) – North.

Tinubu’s Role: Stayed silent, leaned north. The AD didn’t field a candidate, but Tinubu’s body language made it clear — Obasanjo could go campaign alone.

Tinubu began his *situationship* with northern opposition blocks here.

2007: The Atiku Experiment
Candidate Supported: Atiku Abubakar
AC, with Tinubu’s blessing: North

Tinubu’s Role: Architect of the Action Congress. Fielded Atiku, not a southerner.

“Atiku is a democrat,” Tinubu told Channels TV. “We need someone who can win.” Meaning, Regional equity can wait — I’m busy making moves.

2011: Ribadu, Round One
Candidate Supported: Nuhu Ribadu (ACN) - North.

Tinubu’s Party: ACN — yes, another northern candidate on his own platform.
Opponent: Goodluck Jonathan — an actual southerner running on PDP’s ticket.

Tinubu backed his man Ribadu while trashing Jonathan in the Southwest.

2015: The Big Betrayal
Candidate Supported: Muhammadu Buhari (APC) – North

Tinubu’s Role: Kingmaker-in-Chief. Formed the APC, built Buhari’s campaign, delivered the Southwest.

Casualty: Goodluck Jonathan, a southern president sacrificed on the altar of northern alliance.

“It’s not about tribe, it’s about change. Jonathan has failed.” — Tinubu, 2015

2019: Four More Years of North
Candidate Supported: Buhari (APC) North

Tinubu’s Role: Loyal campaign bulldog. Defended every policy failure, gaslighted the Southwest into voting again for a north

So, still no southern love. But don’t worry — his turn was coming.

2023: Tinubu Finally Finds the South*
Candidate: Bola Tinubu (APC) Southwest

Slogan: “Emi lo kan” It’s my turn.

Tinubu’s Role: Suddenly became a patriot of regional balance and equity… after two decades of selective blindness.

“Southern Agenda activated. But only when the *Agenda* wore his name on the ballot.

Let’s Talk Hypocrisy: The 2015 Moment

If you want to understand the depth of this irony, go back to 2015,, Goodluck Jonathan, a sitting southern president was ousted in a political earthquake led by none other than Tinubu himself. He didn’t just join the project, he masterminded it.

That was the moment Southern unity fractured and Tinubu handed northern elites the keys to Aso Rock.

So now, in 2025, when APC folks start mumbling about “gentleman’s agreements” and “power rotation to the South,” forgive us if we squint. Because if that agreement existed, Tinubu clearly missed the memo or maybe he just used it as napkin at one of those merger meetings.

Let’s Be Honest: This “Southern Agenda” is not justice. It’s not equity. It’s not patriotism. It’s plain old self-interest wrapped in agbada.

As analyst Jide Ojo rightly noted:
“The Nigerian elite only invoke fairness and zoning when it serves their ambition. When it doesn’t, it becomes tribalism.”

Truth is, Tinubu never cared about zoning until zoning became his personal elevator to power.

And now that he’s president, we’re supposed to believe he’s suddenly the poster boy for Southern rights?

Come on.

This isn’t leadership. It’s rebranding.

The same man who betrayed Southern unity in 2015 is now asking the South to rally behind him in 2025, because, well, history should be selective, right?

But Nigerians remember. We remember the silence. The alliances. The betrayals.

So no, Mr. President. This isn’t your redemption arc.

It’s your full-circle moment and the sarcasm isn’t lost on anyone paying attention.

gidgiddy:
Nigeria never grew into a nation

So why won't their be tribalism? We trying to keep together a union that does not work

People forget thst Nigeria is just a British colonial experiment, and that experiment failed a long time ago.

Nigeria should have been dissolved a long time ago. Trying to keep together people heavily divided along ethnic, religious and ideological lines is nothing but trying to preserve disaster

The issue of unity in Nigeria has little to do with ethnic diversity. In fact, even within individual ethnic groups, internal divisions run deep, sometimes deeper than those between different ethnicities in the country. Supremacy struggles and political power dynamics often fuel these rifts.

Take the Yoruba people as an example: many from Ekiti tread cautiously when dealing with people from Ijebu, especially regarding marriage. Lagosians often look down on those from Ondo, branding them as “ara ilu oke” (people from the hinterlands). Even within Osun State, the longstanding rivalry between Ile-Ife and Modakeke remains unresolved.

Even among the ibos, Enugu and Anambra, IMO vs Eboyin state. There are intra ethnic crisis.

So when some come online to blame Nigeria’s problems solely on the Igbos or the Hausas, it’s not just misguided, it’s ridiculous. If Nigeria were to split today, we would quickly discover that there’s no magical unity even among so-called Oduduwa descendants. Would we blame Lord Lugard for that too?

Let’s stop acting like sophisticated morons and start addressing the real issues: ego, greed, and the obsession with power.

Softmirror:
Within an ethnic group there is discrimination which is even a cultural heritage passed on. A good example is the ou't caste system popularly known as Os'u. So what do you have to say?

I don’t think I need to educate you that this OS’u you mentioned as been abolished. Or when last did you hear that someone was banished from the community? OS’u is cultural. And culture in itself changes over time. This acknowledges the dynamic nature of culture, it is not static. Cultures evolve due to technology, globalization, migration, education, conflict, and generational shifts.

christistruth01:
Nigerians need to stop being hypocrites.
You set up an organisation like ipob to be launching daily verbal attacks against Nigerians and to be daily publishing maps of peoples homelands as being part of Biafra and you are still asking this question?

IPOB isn't just about being Igbo, just like we have Oduduwa for Yoruba and Arewa for Hausa. But honestly, growing up, I never saw any of this. These agitations likely began because people felt deeply disenfranchised and unheard.

madridguy:
No one is to be blame because no one will take the blame but my own is that everyone should know his/her boundary.

Knowing boundaries is good, but knowing when to rise above them is even better, that’s how nations grow.

maiunguwar:
The blame should be on Lord Lugard for trying to forge different people into one people

Ah yes, Lord Lugard, the guy who left over 100 years ago but somehow still attends our tribal meetings, rigs our elections, and writes our hate tweets.

Funny how countries like India, Indonesia, South Africa, and even Papua New Guinea (with over 800 ethnic groups!) are managing their diversity, imperfectly, yes, but at least they're trying.

Meanwhile, we’re here blaming a long-dead British man while proudly fueling divisions with our own hands.

Growing up in Nigeria used to feel like being part of a large, diverse family. In the 1980s and 1990s, and even into the early 2000s, ethnic identity was not a barrier to friendship, commerce, or community. I remember clearly how friendships cut across tribal lines. You could be Yoruba and your closest friends were Igbo, Hausa, or Tiv and no one batted an eye.

I remember following my mother to the market. She would speak just a little Hausa to the malam sellers, and without hesitation, they would heap extra goods into her bag: “Kara”, they called it. That simple cultural bridge built trust and affection. I remember traveling with an Igbo friend for his wedding in Enugu. His family welcomed me with open arms, speaking to me in Igbo as though I was one of their own. That was the Nigeria we knew; imperfect, yes, but united by shared experiences and mutual respect.

Even abroad, particularly in the UK, I noticed this unity. As Nigerians, regardless of our tribe or religion, we looked out for one another. My first job came through an Igbo brother. My Ibo friend once dedicated weeks just to teach me the Igbo language so I could feel even more at home within our community. I have a friend at Sabo, just a phone call, “Alhaji I need so and so dollars” and without hesitation, the money is already in my account. On several occasions, this man has deposited dollars into my account without receiving payment upfront.

But now, something has changed.

Today, Nigeria feels like a nation slowly unravelling at the seams. The tribal resentment is palpable. The “jara” in the market is gone. The brotherhood in the diaspora is cracking. The warm welcomes are now cautious glances laced with suspicion. Across social media, ethnic hatred is no longer subtle, it’s viral.

In the aftermath of the 2023 elections, Nigeria’s ethnic fault lines grew deeper. During the Lagos gubernatorial elections, Igbo residents were openly targeted. Voters were profiled, attacked, or intimidated simply for being Igbo. The campaign wasn’t just physical, it spread through WhatsApp groups, Twitter (now X), and Facebook posts, many filled with hate speech and tribal slurs.

A study by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in 2023 observed that social media became the new battleground for ethnic propaganda, with over 45% of misinformation on political platforms being tribal in nature. Online influencers and bots were used to deepen suspicions, inflame historical grievances, and promote dangerous stereotypes, especially during the campaigns of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party.

Who Is to Blame?
Initially, I blamed the youth. Many young Nigerians have no living memory of a Nigeria where people shared common goals regardless of ethnicity. Many didn’t witness the Nigeria where “being Nigerian” came before “being Yoruba,” “being Igbo,” or “being Hausa.” They were raised on political tribalism, religious suspicion, and economic inequality.

But after observing recent developments such as the renaming of streets in Lagos that originally bore Igbo names, I began to reconsider.

These changes, seemingly administrative, reflect something deeper: a state-backed erasure of collective memory. It signals a shift from inclusivity to exclusion. This isn't just cultural oversight, it feels like a deliberate move to assert dominance, a quiet war against national unity.

Renaming Emeka Ojukwu Road or Chukwuemeka Close is not merely about nomenclature. It’s a statement. And in a state like Lagos, which prides itself on being a commercial melting pot of Nigeria’s ethnic groups, these actions send dangerous signals.

The Role of Politicians and Elites

Nigeria’s elite class, the very people who should be promoting unity have weaponized ethnicity for political gain. From pre-independence to the current Fourth Republic, politicians have used ethnic identity as a tool to divide and conquer. During campaigns, they speak to “our people,” not “all Nigerians.” They mobilize based on ethnicity, not ideology.

Consider the 2023 elections again: social media was flooded with messages warning Yorubas not to “allow Igbos to take over Lagos.” Political parties, directly or through proxies did nothing to condemn these acts. In some cases, they encouraged it.

According to SBM Intelligence, at least 123 ethnic-based attacks were reported between February and April 2023, the highest spike in over 10 years, many of which occurred in Lagos and the South-East. This data underscores a chilling reality: the ethnic war is no longer simmering, it’s boiling.

The Social Media Problem
Platforms like Twitter (X), Facebook, and TikTok have become weapons of division. Ethnic hashtags trend frequently; #LagosIsNotNoMan’sLand, #ObiIsAChristianAgenda, #YorubaRonu, and others.

False claims are amplified. One viral video falsely claimed that Igbos were planning to "take over Yoruba land" and it garnered over 3 million views in under 48 hours. Government agencies, rather than working to fight this division often remain silent, or worse, join in.

In 2022, the Premium Times reported that the Nigerian government spent over N4.8 billion on digital surveillance tools. Yet, hate speech continues to spread with impunity.

So, who is truly to blame? The answer is layered.

The political class: fueling division to maintain power.

Government institutions: remaining silent or complicit in acts that deepen ethnic suspicion.

The Nigerian people: allowing trauma, fear, and misinformation to replace unity and reason.

The ultimate question now is this: What kind of Nigeria do we want our children to inherit?

Do we want a nation where your surname determines your right to own land, vote, or lead? Do we want our children to fear neighbors from other ethnic groups? Or do we want to return to that Nigeria, the one where you could walk into any home, market, or mosque, and be embraced simply for being human?

If we truly want to rebuild a Nigeria that works for all, we must start by re-learning to see one another not as threats, but as family; diverse, yes, but united by a shared destiny.

Unity is not automatic. It’s a product of deliberate effort, inclusive governance, and generational renewal. The Nigeria of our childhood may feel distant now, but it is not gone. It is hidden beneath the ashes of years of betrayal, lies, and mistrust. But with truth, justice, and political will, it can rise again.

As Chinua Achebe once said:
“The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.”

But perhaps, with new resolve and a common purpose, the healing can begin, not from the top, but from each one of us.