Nigeria at the Crossroads: How Tribalism Stifles Unity and Development

By Dr. Michael O. Omoruyi, iNewsAfrica Op-Ed Contributor

Nigeria is often described as the “giant of Africa”—a nation blessed with abundant natural resources, brilliant minds, and a rich cultural heritage spanning over 250 ethnic groups. Yet, this very diversity that should be our strength has become a weapon of division. Tribalism, deeply woven into the fabric of our politics and daily life, continues to cast a long shadow over our collective progress.

When Tribe Comes Before Nation

In Nigeria, identity is often filtered through tribal lenses. Many citizens first introduce themselves as Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa-Fulani, Tiv, Benin or Ijaw before calling themselves Nigerians. While cultural pride is important, this tribal-first mentality has fostered deep-rooted suspicion and rivalry across communities.

For the average Nigerian, tribalism is not abstract—it is lived experience. From job applications to university admissions, from who gets promoted in the civil service to who wins government contracts, ethnicity too often outweighs merit. Even love and marriage are sometimes shackled by parental warnings: “Don’t marry from that tribe.”

The psychological toll is immense. Entire generations grow up feeling alienated in their own country simply because of their surname or state of origin.

Politics of Patronage and Division

Nowhere is tribalism more toxic than in politics. Elections are reduced to ethnic census counts rather than contests of ideas. Candidates are endorsed not for competence but for their ability to deliver votes from “their people.” The zoning system and federal character principle—designed to balance representation—have instead become permanent reminders that we are more divided than united.

This ethnic arithmetic has left Nigeria with leaders chosen by compromise, not capacity. Governance suffers when national unity takes a back seat to ethnic bargaining. The result is predictable: inefficiency, corruption, and underdevelopment.

Conflict, Inequality, and Lost Opportunities

The Nigerian Civil War remains a painful testament to the destructive power of ethnic mistrust. But even today, tribalism fuels communal clashes, electoral violence, and regional neglect. Some regions receive disproportionate infrastructure and investment simply because they align politically with the ruling elite, while others are deliberately starved of development.

Our education system also bears the scars. Admission slots and scholarships are too often shared based on “quota” rather than merit, discouraging excellence and widening inequality. Tribal favoritism is not just unfair—it robs Nigeria of her brightest talents.

Can We Break Free?

The question confronting us is simple yet urgent: must Nigeria remain trapped in tribal silos, or can we finally embrace a higher identity as Nigerians first?

The solutions are not beyond reach:

• Civic Reorientation: Schools and media must teach pride in Nigerian identity, not just tribal heritage.

• Meritocracy: Public service and education must reward competence, not ethnicity.

• Inclusive Development: No region should feel excluded; balanced infrastructure and opportunity are essential for trust.

• Inter-Tribal Bridges: Cultural exchanges, intermarriage, and youth movements can shatter stereotypes.

• Youth as Change Agents: A digitally connected generation is already less tribal than their parents; they must be empowered to lead the charge for unity.

The Road Ahead

Nigeria cannot afford to remain a prisoner of tribal politics. We stand at a crossroads where diversity could either continue to fracture us or finally propel us into greatness.

Tribalism has robbed us of opportunities, stunted our progress, and deepened our wounds. But it need not define our future. If we embrace a shared Nigerian identity, merit-based governance, and inclusive development, then perhaps—just perhaps—our children will inherit a nation where one’s tribe no longer dictates one’s destiny.

The time to act is now. For Nigeria, unity is not just a slogan; it is the only path to survival.

🔖 Dr. Michael Omoruyi is a technologist, author of From Grit to Grace: A Memoir of Roots, Resilience, and Reinvention, and founder of iNewsAfrica. He writes on technology, culture, and Africa’s place in the global digital future.