CULTURAL FESTIVALS AS BRIDGES: COUNTERING ETHNIC DIVISION IN LAGOS

Picture: protesters in Lagos, Nigeria .

Between August 1 and 10, 2024, during the #ENDBADGOVERNANCE and Hunger Protests in Nigeria, an online campaign emerged in Lagos State calling for Igbos to vacate the city. The campaign, tagged #IgbosMustGo, was driven by unidentified individuals who announced that their efforts would be “intensified” between August 20 and 30, 2024. The use of the word intensified suggests that the campaign had been quietly ongoing but was now being openly promoted. Its message was clear: Igbos from the Eastern region residing in Lagos should leave the state. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu strongly condemned the campaign, describing it as reckless and senseless. He urged law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those behind it. At the time of writing, however, there has been no official statement confirming whether the perpetrators have been apprehended. Yet, the focus here is not on arrests or prosecutions, but on how diverse groups within a geopolitical space can coexist peacefully, free from rancor and hatred. Lagos, as a cosmopolitan city, is home to people from across Nigeria, including a significant Igbo population. The Igbos, renowned for their entrepreneurial spirit, are spread throughout the country and beyond, contributing immensely to commerce and development. It is therefore deeply troubling that anyone would demand that Nigerians of other ethnic groups leave Lagos. Such calls are divisive, unconstitutional, and contrary to the freedom of association guaranteed by Nigeria’s constitution, which allows citizens to live and work anywhere in the country. Those behind the campaign ignore the enormous contributions the Igbos have made—and continue to make—to the social and economic growth of Lagos and Nigeria at large. To counter this dangerous trend, one practical solution is the organization of periodic cultural festivals in Lagos. These festivals would allow the various ethnic groups residing in the state to showcase their heritage, fostering mutual understanding and deeper relationships. Cultural appreciation often leads to intermarriage and stronger bonds. Imagine a scenario where many Yoruba women in Lagos are married to men from other regions, including the Igbos. In such a reality, it would be unthinkable for anyone to demand that their in-laws leave the state. Beyond cultural integration, structural reforms are also necessary to strengthen unity. One such reform is the elimination of the “State of Origin” clause from Nigeria’s constitution. Citizens should be free to fully exercise their rights wherever they reside. For example, a Hausa man born and raised in Yoruba land should be able to aspire to the position of governor there. Similarly, a Yoruba person raised in the East should be eligible to contest for political office in Igboland. Such inclusivity would go a long way in achieving the unity Nigeria has long desired. While constitutional reforms may take time, we call on custodians of Lagos and Yoruba culture to consider the immediate step of instituting periodic cultural festivals. These events would serve as a powerful tool for fostering unity, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.