Nigeria: What if division is the solution? -By Ghazali Ibrahim Abdulhamid

Nigeria is one of the 54 countries in Africa with leading geographical mass of land coupled with it’s populous inhabitants of about 160 million. Nigeria is in West Africa part of the Continent having historical antecedent of colonialism from Britain. Nigeria which initially consist of southern and northern protectorate was merged together in 1914 after the conquest of Lagos as a result of colonialism power of the Great Britain which annexed it’s territory in Nigeria after the Berlin conference of 1885. Nigeria initially consist of Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, Yoruba, Nupe, Igala, Ebira and the likes each with it’s own empire and it’s own system of administration.

Nigeria has been known as the giant of Africa in the Continent and in the world at large because of it’s abundant human and natural resources. Nigeria initially is known for the boost production of farm produce because the major source of Nigeria income is from the Agriculture and the future of Nigeria as a nation is booming. Nigeria has many natural resources like gold, coal, limestone, timber, iron ore which makes Nigeria to earn the respect of the country blessed with abundant resources as well as blessed in it’s cultural heritage. But in the 1970s when Nigeria discovered crude oil, it’s source of income were diverted from agriculture to crude oil. This oil is being refined into many products such as petrol, kerosene, diesel and the likes. Today, Nigeria is known throughout the world for it’s large produce of oil and also one of the founding countries of which is the organization of petroleum exporting countries (OPEC).

It is well endowed with many gift of nature and also blessed with highly intellectual personality who has made Nigeria proud at the international level. Nigeria consist of more than 250 ethnic groups and more than 400 languages spoken. This is to show how multi-culture, multi- lingual and diverse nature of the country.

From the inception of Nigeria as a nation conflict, endemic violence, tribalism, nepotism have started eating up the country future.. Since then, various resolution had been proffered but all to no avail and since then people have been calling for division of Nigeria most especially the people of the Eastern Nigeria who felt the federal government is exploiting and depriving them of what they supposed to be enjoy. In view of this crisis has started since then as a result of the unification of different tribes who are blessed with it’s own resources.

In furtherance to the above message, the people who are agitating for secession from the East naturally called Independence people of Biafra (IPOB) initially led by colonel Odemegwu Ojukwu who initiates the remarkable and bloody civil war in the year 1967-1970. This war lasted for 30 months and claim the lives of many but with the help of international community who later intervene in the fight came up with the solution to the long lasting war. Even with the conquest of IPOB, Nigeria is not free from crises and it was the result of the amalgamation of 1914.
Also, not only this alone, farmers-herder crises, inter-ethnic violence and the rest of civil unrest which is cause between tribes that made up of Nigeria. Reports had shown that since 2015, Nigeria has been label as a very low peace countries with 146 in the whole world. This means that all sort of terrorism act, banditry, kidnapping, civil unrest and the likes have brought shame to Nigeria at the international community.

To this end, division should be the only solution to Nigeria problems and let’s new states formed out of the existing Nigeria because as the southern IPOB are clamouring for a self reliant nation ever since inception of military rule likewise the Yoruba group also calling for separation nowadays because of the unequitable economic distribution. Nigeria is Africa powerhouse and it is the Continent biggest oil producer and most populous country but after decades of poor governance, most of it’s 160 million people are still mired in poverty.

The Yoruba, Edo,Hausa (including Hausa-fulani) and Igbo need to have their own natural borders.

The Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa traditionally are the kingdom, empire and urban developers of pre-colonial Nigeria. Having produce many large states and cities while there are other major ethnic groups in Nigeria, they tend to be smaller. For example, the Nupe, I think it would make sense to divide Nigeria into these four ethnicity countries. The Yoruba Edo Igbo and Hausa having to protect the other smaller ethnic groups in their respective nations. Nigeria is a colonial British construct that is equivalent to combining Italian, Spanish, Russian and Irish people together as one country!! Of course it would lead to disaster.

The north will be importers of primary products and cheap labour to the two countries. The other two countries would import more sophisticated products to the north. The other two countries would also supply the north professional and highly technical manpower over a long period of time.It won’t be absolute hell for any of the three countries. The north will effectively control its region especially the minority groups therein. Expectedly, it will be mostly dominated by Muslims, but some of its crucial sectors are likely to be led by Christians as a result of the roles of formal education and its requirements in certain critical sectors. The Eastern country, probably called Biafra, will initially has challenges with land tenure. It will be the most densely populated of the three countries. And it may encounter challenges providing space for the millions of its citizens who would leave the north and west for their homeland. Each country will see how to maximize its resources. But in the earlier days, north would go for most international loans and access most international assistance including debt reliefs because it would have a lot of socio-economic challenges to battle with. Such will include illiteracy, unsustainable high population, poverty. North will have the largest military personnel, the east will have the most sophisticated military hardware and the west will have moderate personnel, Hi-Tech hardware and probably a foreign military base. The Eastern country is likely to be called Biafra; the northern country is likely to be called Arewa Republic; while the may choose Oduduwa.

The northern country will be a strong ally to the Arabs and Russia. The west is likely to be a close ally to the United States. Maybe the east will find a good friend in China, and most certainly France. The north will have sufficiency in food; east will lead in local production and industrialization, while the west will lead in education and services. The east is likely to have more internal crises than the rest especially in the areas of ethnic rivalry and economic competitions. This may be witnessed in the earlier days of the western country too. The north would face its as some its regions would want to break free ethnoreligious domination of Fulani.

In conclusion, division of Nigeria will be a hope for the betterment of the Continent and the world at large and put a stop to all the endemic violence, tribalism nepotism and the likes that is affecting the future of Nigeria as a nation. Taking for instance, the former USSR divide into different countries out of which Russia is one, former Yugoslavia also divide into 6 different countries and presently they are living in peace at the international community. With this, there is hope in the division of Nigeria.

Ghazali Ibrahim Abdulhamid, a student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto and can be reached via 08100070899 or ibrahimghazaliabdulhamid@gmail.com