₦airaland Forum

In the grand political chant of “One Nigeria,” we are told that unity is our strength, that despite our cultural differences, religious affiliations, or ethnic heritage, we are bound together as one people. But for many Igbos living in Lagos, this ideal has increasingly begun to feel like a cruel illusion.

Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria, has long served as a melting pot where diverse ethnic groups have coexisted and contributed to the city's growth. The Igbo people, known for their entrepreneurial spirit and resilience, have played a major role in shaping Lagos' economy. From real estate to electronics, from Alaba to idumota amongst others, their footprint is undeniable. Yet, the recent wave of targeted media attacks and symbolic erasures suggest that this contribution is undervalued, and worse still, resented.

One disturbing trend is the consistent amplification of criminal acts allegedly committed by individuals of Igbo origin,both in Nigeria and abroad, by Yoruba-controlled media outlets and influencers. While crime knows no ethnicity, and individuals of all backgrounds commit offenses, it seems that when an Igbo person is involved, the coverage becomes more sensational, the outrage louder, and the stereotypes more entrenched. This selective narrative fuels ethnic bias and reinforces dangerous generalizations that dehumanize an entire group.

Even more alarming are the quiet yet deliberate acts of cultural erasure. In Lagos, there have been instances where streets and public places once named after prominent Igbo figures or bearing Igbo names have been renamed to reflect Yoruba heritage. This is not just administrative bureaucracy at work, it is a symbolic stripping away of identity and presence. These actions send a clear message: you are welcome to contribute, but not to belong.

The tensions extend beyond the borders of Nigeria. Online Yoruba commentators are often the first to ridicule or antagonize Igbos when negative stories emerge from the diaspora. Whether it's a fraud case in the U.S. or a controversial act in the U.K., there's an eagerness to seize the moment and use it to smear an entire people.

This pattern of subtle hostility, public humiliation, and historical erasure stands in sharp contrast to the principles of coexistence and unity. If "One Nigeria" is to mean anything beyond empty rhetoric, it must be grounded in equity, mutual respect, and the honest acknowledgment of prejudice, even when it exists between major ethnic groups.

For many Igbos in Lagos, the reality is clear: they are treated as convenient tenants in a house they helped build. Until this fundamental inequality is addressed, the dream of One Nigeria will remain what it currently is for them - a mirage shimmering on a horizon that never arrives.

Please take a moment to write a quality post with at least 40 characters.

My advice for you all is to take records because there’s always a pay back period for every actions

Somebody is really, really crying up there and the cry is making me to laugh and laugh. 😁😁😁

Ttipsy:
My advice for you all is to take records because there’s always a pay back period for every actions

Exactly! You are being paid back.

If yo like right Epistle 1 to 100, any crime committed b your people in SW will henceforth be exposed for who they are, al the vandalisation and kidnapping perpetrated by external criminals must stop

While crime knows no ethnicity, and individuals of all backgrounds commit offenses

Can you tell us or provide link of any Yoruba that have committed a crime in SE in the year 2025?
Bring any news of any kidnapping case in any of your state with suspect names, Biola, Yewande or Pelumi... But reverse is the case always.

The culprits are known to be the one claiming victims

You might need to write another epistle about Ghana, South Africa, India, Malaysia, Cambodia as the story is the same there too

Eish

Lagos state government should make sure all night buses coming to Lagos state are all empty , e get why

When we were silent, they called us cowards
Now that we are vocal, they are calling us bigots

I'd rather be a bigot than a coward.

Respect us on our land or you will continue to see shege

I am not a Lagosian and I don’t even like the state at all, but those people doing some funny things in Lagos should try another state and leave Lagos alone.

Move to another state if Lagos doesn’t welcome you no more. Let them be. Enough is enough

You’re always welcome in my dear Oyo state.

Come help us develop here please

This emotional blackmail is stale already.
Nor be only una dey nigeria, but na only una dey get kwata with una host anywhere una sojourn.

Even in ghana as we speak una eze-ndiggbo in ghana is measuring line with ghanians which is one of the things that culminated to the 'nigeria must go' we are presently witnessing. South africa too, na una spoil am. Talkless of asian countries.

Na only una waka come??

Respect is reciprocal.

The developer should develop another state now.

Same you shouting one Nigeria will be the one defending Biafra with another monicker.

LordBillionz:
In the grand political chant of “One Nigeria,” we are told that unity is our strength, that despite

They say that to describe Lagos as no man's land is sacrilege

I don't think they realise that if there was anything like 'one Nigeria', all of Nigeria would be no man's land for all Nigeria because Nigeria is owned by all Nigerians

One Nigeria is the biggest fraud to come out of West Africa

gidgiddy:
They say that to describe Lagos as no man's land is sacrilege

I don't think they realise that if there was anything like 'one Nigeria', all of Nigeria would be no man's land for all Nigeria because Nigeria is owned by all Nigerians

One Nigeria is the biggest fraud to come out of West Africa

When they don’t let you insult them or have your way at their expense, one Nigeria is a fraud. The way you people behave like say you no get origin or your origin is a den of dragons. So you want to claim you don’t know Nigeria has several regions for a very obvious reason? All the gaslighting and manipulation period has ended. Agenda is no longer agending. No one will let you turn their villages to dragon den. We no get anywhere else to run to like you, professional runners. Spoil a place and run away then start crying when people control you. If you don’t want to be controlled, your region is there to do anyhow.

Abbeytoy:
I am not a Lagosian and I don’t even like the state at all, but those people doing some funny things in Lagos should try another state and leave Lagos alone.

Move to another state if Lagos doesn’t welcome you no more. Let them be. Enough is enough

You’re always welcome in my dear Oyo state.

Come help us develop here please

Do you really mean this post or it's sarcasm?

LordBillionz:
For many Igbos in Lagos, the reality is clear: they are treated as convenient tenants in a house they helped build.

Since when did tenants help landlords in building a house?

Quit these victim mentality behavior please. Igbos are not the only tribe living in Yoruba land, but they are the ones always crying.

A gentle reminder.

Globad:
Do you really mean this post or it's sacrcasm?

The last sentence is sarcasm. Have they developed their own region first. How can they develop Oyo that contributes more to the federal purse than the entire 5 south east states combined together.

Ttipsy:
My advice for you all is to take records because there’s always a pay back period for every actions

Karma have series of records already & this is actually just the starting point..

Things will be done without noise and whatever you guys says or feels wouldn’t matter..

You guys & inconsequentialities are in the same lane here..

Being liberal is good but when you’re doing it with the wrong people, it’s needless..

https://www.nairaland.com/745731/yoruba-marginalization-elders-met-jonathan

You ever seen any more wrong group of people?

2mch:
When they don’t let you insult them or have your way at their expense, one Nigeria is a fraud. The way you people behave like say you no get origin or your origin is a den of dragons. So you want to claim you don’t know Nigeria has several regions for a very obvious reason? All the gaslighting and manipulation period has ended. Agenda is no longer agending. No one will let you turn their villages to dragon den. We no get anywhere else to run to like you, professional runners. Spoil a place and run away then start crying when people control you. If you don’t want to be controlled, your region is there to do anyhow.

Yeah, "one Nigeria" has brought so much love and togetherness amongst Nigerians since 1960

One Nigeria is an old music, true federalism is the way to.go...all states determine your destiny...state police, full resources control by states, states enacting laws to protect their state's identity and preserve their security, states ability to remove persons posing security risks to the state, full anti grazing laws etc, to preserve the lives and farmlands/properties of its indigenes and residents..., states legislating to arm their vigilantes with automatic weapons etc...

We have since moved beyond one Nigeria, we are trying to make the best of the Union.

Nigeria needs a new constitution that recognises our differences and diversity, so they will be healthy economic competition, states will enjoy all their resources, VAT etc.

Abbeytoy:
I am not a Lagosian and I don’t even like the state at all, but those people doing some funny things in Lagos should try another state and leave Lagos alone.

Move to another state if Lagos doesn’t welcome you no more. Let them be. Enough is enough

You’re always welcome in my dear Oyo state.

Come help us develop here please

Why can't they build their own cities? Oyo is better than any of their states. Besides they have always been in Oyo. In the 70s Ibadan had more ibos than Lagos. The massive migration of ibos to Lagos is quite recent, from the 80s

This He-badan?

You are joking right?

Predictor3:
Why can't they build their own cities? Oyo is better than any of their states. Besides they have always been in Oyo. In the 70s Ibadan had more ibos than Lagos. The massive migration of ibos to Lagos is quite recent, from the 80s