A viral social media post has reignited national debate around unity, history, and migration within Nigeria. The statement, which reads:
“Igbo left Nigeria in 1967. You went to war and dragged them back. Today, you’re complaining they are all over Lagos. Is Lagos not Nigeria?”
has stirred conversations online and offline, especially regarding the role of the Igbo people in Nigerian society post-civil war.
The quote references the events of 1967 when the southeastern region, predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group, attempted to secede and form the Republic of Biafra. This move led to a brutal civil war that lasted until 1970, ending with the reintegration of the region into Nigeria.
Fast forward to today, the post calls out perceived hypocrisy—criticizing those who once fought to keep the Igbo as part of Nigeria but now express resentment over their strong presence and economic influence in places like Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Many Nigerians have responded with mixed reactions. Supporters argue that the statement highlights a deep-rooted contradiction in the nation’s post-war attitude toward the Igbo, who have since become highly mobile and entrepreneurial. Others, however, view it as provocative or dismissive of the complex socio-political realities in Nigeria’s urban centers.
Political analysts note that the tensions hinted at in the post reflect long-standing regional and ethnic divides that continue to challenge Nigeria’s unity. Nonetheless, they emphasize that Lagos, as a melting pot of cultures and economic powerhouse, belongs to all Nigerians regardless of origin.
The statement, while blunt, is now serving as a springboard for renewed reflection on national identity, historical wounds, and the ongoing struggle for equity and coexistence in Nigeria.
0 Comments