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NIGERIA: A Nation of Indigenes, Not Citizens

Nigeria is a paradox—a country governed by its own people but fractured by tribal loyalties. Despite the challenges, I love Nigeria. Not because I have a choice, but because it’s who we are: resilient, extraordinary, and perpetually on the brink of self-destruction, yet miraculously never tipping over. We live on the edge of chaos, hovering at 11:59, but midnight never strikes.

But here’s the bitter truth: Nigeria is not a country of citizens; it is a country of indigenes. Your rights, privileges, and opportunities hinge on your "indigeneship"—your tribe, not your nationality. Loyalty to Nigeria is almost nonexistent because tribal allegiance overshadows national identity. Everyone is a tribal lord, fighting for their ethnic group, not the nation.

Even national institutions like the Army reflect this divide. A child born in Kaduna to parents from Abeokuta or Potiskum is not seen as Nigerian but as an outsider in their place of birth. If they apply to join the Army, they must return to their "state of origin"—a term that epitomizes our disunity. Forms, policies, and interviews demand to know your tribe and religion, emphasizing indigeneship over citizenship.

Government officials are not representatives of Nigeria; they are ambassadors of their tribes, looting public resources to serve ethnic interests. Patriotism is a luxury we can’t afford because the system prioritizes tribal sentiments over national unity. Policies are designed to exclude true Nigerians—those who transcend tribal lines—and reinforce divisions.

This harsh reality dawned on me early. I was denied admission to secondary school because I was not an indigene of the area. That was my first lesson: in Nigeria, to be someone, you must belong to a tribe.

True Nigerians—those who strive for a united nation—are sidelined and left to struggle while the "newspaper readers" benefit from the chaos. Meanwhile, Nigerians die in stampedes over N5,000 charity or a bag of rice, their dignity sacrificed at the altar of poverty and neglect.

As another year ends, we remain a nation debating progress, stuck between hope and despair. Patriots strive tirelessly to build a better Nigeria, while "buccaneers" relentlessly dismantle the nation's progress. Will we ever get it right? Only time will tell.



Ideas derived from Prince Charles Dickson, PhD 

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