Are we truly divided by geography or culture? Nigeria is a highly heterogeneous society. Amid the cacophony of our disagreements, there exists a clear line that separates the North and the South, the East and the West.
We have been presented with the notion that the North will always desire the opposite of what the South wants. This implies that if the South seeks unity, the North, by default, will pursue disunity. Currently, many in the South advocate for restructuring, while we are told the North opposes it.
To what extent has geography shaped our destiny? Are we genuinely different in temperament due to the accidents of our geography? We might believe so if we accept the prevailing idea that our geographic placements prevent us from fostering an inclusive culture.
Nigeria is a highly diverse and variegated society that has failed to develop a theme inclusive of all people within its borders. This failure to achieve elusive unity stems from our primordial loyalties and attachments to our origins. It reflects a failure of imagination and an inability to expand our consciousness. At this juncture, we must learn to see one another. This failure also suggests we remain like children who refuse to grow up and leave home.
Some argue we would have been better off if the imaginary line separating the North and South had been made more distinct, rather than blurred by Lord Lugard’s amalgamation. Many Nigerians blame the British for this unification. I do not, as Lord Lugard acted in the interest of Britain. His goal was to reduce costs and simplify colonisation for His Majesty. Everything he did was out of love for his homeland. No matter how much we blame the British, the fact remains that they did what was necessary for their country.
The question we should ask ourselves daily is: what have we done for the love of our people and Nigeria? Have we developed any system to unite us as the largest concentration of Black people in the world? The answer is no. While Africans elsewhere were advocating for Black unity, some Nigerians sought further fragmentation. This suggests we cannot transcend the artificial lines created to confine us, accepting an imaginary divide that perpetually turns neighbours into strangers. It also indicates our laziness and reluctance to step beyond our comfort zones.
We have a duty to reframe and recalibrate our relationships, free from exploitation by those with numerical advantages. Respect for the rights of minorities is a prerequisite for a society aspiring to be democratic. As the largest concentration of Black people globally, we are responsible for moving beyond our current state of strife and ethnic hostilities to adopt a more inclusive theme for our polity.
I have repeatedly emphasised that, without imported religions, Nigerians have more in common. These foreign religions fuel the tribalism and ethnic divisions tearing the nation apart.
There are more minorities in the North than in the South. The North is, in fact, more advanced in terms of inter-ethnic harmony than the South. A Northerner is more likely to identify as a Northerner than a Southerner is to identify as a Southerner. A Southerner typically prioritises their tribe. This is where the North excels in inter-ethnic relations, possessing a more panoramic view of Nigeria than the average Southerner.
The South remains a hotbed of inter-ethnic rivalries, partly because it is less diverse than the North. The ongoing rivalry and low-intensity animosity between the South-West and South-East are becoming tiresome. This rivalry hinders the development of an ethos that transcends ethnic nationalism. Instead of creating a blueprint for cohabitation with minority tribes, these groups engage in parasitic relationships that harm minorities. They even expect minority tribes to erase their history and assimilate into the larger tribes. Can a parasite absorb its host? Nature says no. The host simply wishes to be left alone to survive the interplay and indignity imposed by the so-called major tribes. The behaviour of the Yoruba and Igbo in the South makes me question whether they acknowledge the existence of other peoples in the terrain we call Southern Nigeria. They could learn from the North about unifying people.
Unity is needed across the country, but Southern unity is essential for Nigeria’s unity and progress. Southern unity is necessary to liberate the North from religious tyranny that impedes progress and traps Northern youth in a cocoon of ignorance. This ignorance leads Northern youth to mistakenly align with the vision of their oppressors.
How did the North achieve such unity? They adopted a language of common purpose, whether through religion or culture. Since the South lacks a shared heritage, we could adopt a unifying theme: justice, equality, and fairness. It is not enough to identify as Igbo. Do you believe in justice? Do you believe in equality? Do you believe in fairness? If the answer is yes, I will work with you to foster better relationships.
What does it mean to be Yoruba? Do you believe in justice? Do you believe in fairness? Do you believe in equality? If the answer is yes, I will collaborate with you to create a better environment for our people. It is the negative responses from these groups that obstruct unity in Nigeria.
Lord Lugard amalgamated Nigeria for the love of Britain. What have we Nigerians done for the love of Nigeria? The answer to this question will guide us toward a better place where our vision is clear. One in every four Black people worldwide is Nigerian. This is a position of power that should be underpinned by our responsibility to all Black people globally. Every Nigerian must embrace this leadership role.
To be effective, we must urgently restructure Nigeria for proper governance. Restructuring will reduce hostilities and the arbitrariness of governance. Knowledgeable individuals will move away from a mediocre, moribund unitary system, improving lives at the local level by entrusting leadership to those best suited for it. Our focus must remain on this solemn obligation, not swayed by loyalty to parochial interests or outdated mindsets.
Dr Austin Orette writes from Houston, Texas.
