By Ajekigbe Mercy Eyitola
While addressing the problem of tribalism in Nigeria, we have often failed to carefully confront one crucial question: When did the cuts truly begin?
Nigeria is a child born from a marriage of inconvenience, and just like every child raised in neglect, she bears several scars on her back: wounds that have never truly healed. Many have traced the flame of tribalism back to the Biafra war, but its roots run deeper than that; deeper into the history of an amalgamation that forced over 250 ethnic groups into one uneasy union: a marriage of inconvenience.
Tribalism lives in our tongue, in the disparaging eye directed at another tribe, in the “harmless” jokes we toss around, and in the subtle prejudices that shape our daily interactions. Its roots have been watered, sinking deeper into the soil. And the tragedy is that many Nigerians do not even realize how much they are nurturing it. It has become so normalized to the point that a comment like, “Omo Igbos are always greedy”, is brushed off as nothing special.
We have covered the scars on our back with thick clothes that we no longer realize are still there: Big and fresh. Over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, yet only three are counted, and others, sidelined or categorized under a group they aren’t. Still, we pride ourselves as “One big state”; whereas, by definitionally, a state has different groups who are recognized. We continue to be a contradiction to what we call ourselves.
The biggest obstacle on the road to economic and political development in Nigeria isn’t entirely bad governance but mostly tribalism. While other nations may grapple with party division, we are continuously steeped in the roots of tribal war. In every building of political and economic life, you will find tribalism sitting at the reception with millions gathered around it, while meritocracy and federal character sit at the corner beside the dying plant. Not just in the business and political section, but also in religious and educational centres. This is the extent to which tribalism has plagued our lives, and still, we ignore it.
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The INEC doesn’t run the election; tribalism controls the steering wheel. And when something is behind the wheel, it changes the whole narrative. It’s not truly about whose policies are more sustainable for the country; it’s about whose tribe commands the majority among shallow Nigerians. Education, as enlightening as it may seem, doesn’t play much of a role because when the entire system is built on miscommunication and negligence, the products inherit that flaw.
This flame began subtly. At first, it was a tiny spark, framed as a divide-and-rule strategy by the colonial government to conquer the different kingdoms. However, the spark turned into a flame with the creation of regional political parties, which, although meant to fight for political rights, became a tool to further deepen ethnic tensions. These tensions never truly subsided, even after gaining our independence; instead, they evolved into a raging flame with the first coup d’état, which eventually led to the Biafran War. And now, although there is no active tribal war, it hides in our daily interactions, casually waiting to ignite another spark.
It may seem like a little concept, but it is one of the factors responsible for the economic stagnation in our country. Many are given jobs, not because of merit, but through nepotism and tribalism. It is also evident in the housing system, where a landlord could put up a rule against another tribe, and if they are feeling generous, accept the other tribe, but with a higher rent. Even in the marketplace, buyers would rather go to a stall where the seller comes from their tribe. The discrimination in Nigeria is blazing but in a subtle way. It’s there, but many choose to ignore it. This ignorance, however, plays a role in societal stagnation.
Recently, several discussions have been sparked concerning secession and each tribe having their own nation, although the constitution condemns secession. It sounds euphoric: each tribe for herself. Nevertheless, we need to think of the adverse effect that could come with secession if the constitution permits it later on. Although we are born in a marriage of inconvenience, we’ve learned to depend on each other. And with this dependence comes great care and nurturing. Once that dependence is broken, its negative results could outweigh the positive. While we accept that Nigeria has many flaws, it is only what it is because of its diversity. Diversity breeds comfort and discomfort, too, no argument, but it is what makes Nigeria Nigeria.
A Yoruba Nation or Igbo nation may sound all rosy, but fragmentation never heals a wound — it only hides it under a different flag and anthem. Instead of constructing plans for separation, why not build the cracks built into the house? And it starts little: Acknowledging that we have all been tribalists, and fighting to ensure that meritocracy rules the day. This time, let us keep tribalism in the corner of the room, beside the dying plant. It is only then that we can truly see development. We, the citizens, are the ones behind the steering wheels, and if we continue to blame the government that we let in because of tribalism, there will be no development. Only a wildfire.
Nigeria is a child born from a marriage of inconvenience, and just like every child raised in neglect, she bears several scars on her back: wounds that she never truly healed from. But we can choose to turn those scars into a testament of success of good citizenship. Only if we start NOW!
Ajekigbe Mercy Eyitola is a writer, award-winning debater and public speaker, founder of two global social initiatives, and is deeply passionate about using her skills for advocacy and to drive social change.
