By Saheed Abiola
Over six decades since Nigeria’s independence, one truth remains clear: despite our fractures, we are still standing. From the rolling hills of the North to the rain-soaked creeks of the South, from the bustling cities of the West to the rich farmlands of the East, Nigeria has endured. And in our endurance lies a story not of division—but of resilience.
Yes, we are a nation of over 250 ethnic groups, with Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo standing as the dominant triad. But each tribe, beyond the politics and power struggles, has a rich history of civilisation, culture, and courage. The Hausa emirates flourished through trade and Islamic scholarship. The Yoruba kingdoms built thriving cities and intricate systems of governance long before colonial maps were drawn. The Igbo nation, known for innovation and enterprise, rose from the ashes of civil war to drive modern commerce. Each group has weathered colonialism, coups, conflict—and still, Nigeria remains.
But unity cannot thrive on nostalgia alone. We must build it intentionally.
Language: From Division to Connection
Language is more than communication; it’s identity. But in Nigeria, our languages have become lines in the sand—used more for segregation than celebration. What if we flipped that?
Imagine a Nigeria where every child, from Primary 1 to University, must learn Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa. Not as electives, but as compulsory subjects. A Yoruba boy in Enugu learning to speak Igbo fluently. A Fulani girl in Osogbo switching easily between Hausa and Yoruba. Language, in this vision, becomes a bridge—not a boundary.
This isn’t about erasing identity. It’s about expanding understanding. When we speak each other’s tongue, we begin to hear each other’s hearts. Prejudices fall. Stereotypes fade. Conversations begin.
NYSC: A Tool for Integration, Not Just Posting
The National Youth Service Corps was designed to break ethnic silos. Its purpose was to plant a Yoruba graduate in Sokoto, send an Igbo graduate to Kebbi, a Hausa corps member to Calabar—and let them live, learn, and serve together. But what if we deepened the impact?
Let’s introduce a salary incentive structure: graduates who serve in states where their native language is not spoken should earn higher stipends. Why? Because they’re not just serving—they’re integrating. They’re ambassadors of unity, building national bonds in real time.
This approach rewards courage, promotes diversity, and strengthens the original mission of the NYSC.
Why We Need Each Other
A Yoruba man may invent. An Igbo woman may commercialise it. A Hausa entrepreneur may scale it to the rest of Africa. That is Nigeria’s strength. We are not meant to stand alone.
The cocoa from Ondo needs logistics from Kano. The oil from Bayelsa relies on rail lines through Kaduna. The tomatoes from Jos find eager buyers in Anambra. Our economy, our culture, our survival—depend on cooperation.
This is not just poetic; it’s practical. Nations that leverage diversity—Switzerland, South Africa, Canada—prosper because they harness every voice, every skill, every story. Nigeria must do the same.
Building a New Nigeria
To build a new Nigeria, we must:
Make Nigerian languages core academic subjects, not afterthoughts.
Reward cultural immersion, especially through NYSC.
Celebrate intercultural marriages and friendships as symbols of progress.
Include local languages in governance, tech, and media, not just English.
Establish language and culture exchange programmes in universities and secondary schools.
National unity will not fall from the sky. It must be taught, practiced, lived.
We’ve spent too long debating who owns Nigeria. The truth is, we all do. And no matter how loud the politics, the people are louder still—calling not for division, but for dignity, unity, and progress.
So, the question is not “Can we be one Nigeria?”
The question is: What will you do to make it so?
Saheed Abiola is a Business Consultant, Educator, and Social Commentator. He writes on issues of national development, policy, and integration.