Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups, languages, and cultures make it tough to create a unified national identity. The country has over 250 ethnic groups, each with their own distinct culture, language, and history. However, instead of celebrating this diversity, it often leads to conflict and division, especially when politicians exploit ethnic sentiments for personal gain.
Politicians often use ethnicity to rally support, which creates distrust and division among groups. This is evident in the cases of Bola Tinubu and Muhammadu Buhari, who both used ethnic divisions to secure political power. Tinubu’s campaign in Lagos exploited tensions between the Yoruba and Igbo populations, while Buhari’s campaign pitted northern voters against southern voters.
The result is a fractured national identity, where citizens identify more with their ethnic groups than with the country as a whole. The Igbo ethnic group, in particular, has called for secession due to feelings of marginalization and exclusion. The demand for an independent Igbo state is rooted in a history of perceived injustice and neglect.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s attempts to forge a unique national identity are hindered by the manipulation of ethnic divisions by politicians. Until these divisions are addressed, the dream of a unified Nigeria may remain elusive.
