BY PROF B. CHIMA ONUOHA
Ndigbo like the Jews have always faced existential threats. For example, the Arab nations, that surround Israel have never hidden their desire and plans to wipe out Israel and the Jews from the surface of the earth. Conversely, successive governments in Nigeria, via direct and indirect policies, incitements of other ethnic groups (that willingly bought into the devilish schemes), propaganda, have never failed to disparage and marginalize Ndigbo and South-East.
While the Jews and Israel do not _forget and forgive_ their enemies or those that killed them or harm their economic interests, Ndigbo on the other hand, have a vague and useless mantra that vengeance is God’s. In other words, they expect the Almighty God, the Arch Angels, other angels and holy spirits to come down from Heaven and fight for them.
The Igbo spirit, for me, is a generic term for resilience, hard work, industriousness, innovativeness, public spiritedness, entrepreneurship, love for education and knowledge, dislike for laziness and loatheness or disgust for begging for a living. See my article: _“The Igbo Spirit Elicits Envy, Hatred, Fear and Oppression,”_ April 7, 2025. The Igbo spirit is the main reason why Ndigbo strive to survive and succeed wherever they found themselves, despite all odds. They are also development agents. They build up any community or environment they are residing, unlike many other tribes in the country. With time, their successes, visibility and contributions to the immediate environments become sources of envy, fear, and allegations of dominance.
Ikeazor (1998) explains anti-Igbos sentiments thus: “Few people have been as unfortunate as Ndigbo (Igbo) by virtue of their relationships with other people in Nigeria. Misunderstood, misrepresented and mismanaged. Their energy and enterprise were misunderstood as ‘over’ ambition, their will to venture out and turn adversity to advantage, misrepresented as attempts at domination. Their gifts for hard work, inventiveness, and dedication have been mismanaged and not taken advantage of”.
For these reasons Ndigbo have been subjected to an avalanche of anti-Igbo policies, hate speeches and negative profiling. It started by terming the January 15, 1966 Coup an “Igbo Coup;” which led to the counter-coup of July 1966; the killing of over 80 percent of Igbo officers in the Armed Forces; including the Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi; the pogrom in the North; the civil war where an estimated 3.5 million people were needlessly killed, and complete destruction of infrastructure in the region.
By the end of the war in January 1970, there were expropriation decrees like the Banking Obligations (Eastern States) Decree No. 56 of 1970; Bank Moratorium (Eastern States) Decree No 21 of 1970; the Abandon Property Decree; the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree (NEPD, 1972), etc., all intended to further impoverish the already depressed and demoralized Igbos.
Ever since, these anti-Igbo policies have never abated. Rather, they are strategic, comprehensive, persistent and religiously being implemented. See my articles: _“Gowon’s Fake 3Rs and The Repercussions,”_ June 12, 2024; and _“Deliberate Closing All Avenues for South-East’s Development,”_ May 19 2025.
Recent events have shown that there is no end to the marginalization of Ndigbo. Whenever it is the turn of an Igbo person to take over the helm of any strategic federal establishment, he or she will conveniently be jumped over. It happened to DIG Ogbonnaya Onovo. It will soon be the turn of DCB B. U. Nwafor of the Nigerian Customs Service. Check out all the appointments in all the viable federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) – that lacuna is there. See also the recent appointments of Directors at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and members of the National Population Commission (NPC).
How about major or key infrastructures? Huge amounts have been mapped out for the upgrade of Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja airports. Nothing was said about Enugu/Akanu Ibiam airport. Rather, it has been slated for long-term concession. Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri was not even mentioned. While the rail-way lines passing other geo-political zones are standard gauge, the belated one for South-East, with heavy population density, is narrow gauge and outdated. South-East (specifically, Imo State) holds the largest gas reserves in the country. Unfortunately, the gas master plan, its investments and infrastructures are basically for the benefit of the other geo-political zones, except South-East, like South West (Ogun and Lagos States) and the North. Meanwhile, Aba, Nnewi and Onitsha are industrial cities, in addition to other emerging industrial hubs in the region.
It is on record and in the public domain that Ndigbo were terribly harassed by government thugs and disenfranchised in 2023 elections in Lagos State. Kwam 1 played prominent roles in intimidating voters during the election. So why wouldn’t he misbehave in the airport with powerful godfathers? In the past and at intervals in the state, hatchet men and lackeys spew hate speeches and threats. There are on-going anti-Igbo campaigns, including “Igbo-must-go in Lagos State.” Examples include the renaming of streets with Igbo names by the LGAs in the state with the state government’s approval; secret campaigns to Yorubas not to vote political candidates of Igbo extraction.
To these anti-Igbo agitators, Chinweizu, a renowned author, poet and critic, has made three innocuous suggestions… what he calls a “win-win situation.” They are:
a. De-federalise the ports so the South-South and South-East regions take control of the ports in their areas.
b. Let one airport in the South-East and one in the South-South be approved for international flights.
c. Persuade foreign embassies to open visa-granting consulates in the South-East and South-South. And thereafter, you can have the Lagos of your dream.
However, this proviso must be taken note of: Lagos was federal capital for decades. The nation’s resources were used to develop it. Igbos as Nigerians have constitutional rights to live anywhere of their choice, as long as they are law abiding.
Which tribes in this country are afraid of competition and meritocracy? Why federal character and quota system? Why are they not being religiously implemented completely like in top level federal appointments in MDAs and statutory corporations, only in admissions into schools (Secondary and tertiary)? All these place Ndigbo in serious disadvantage and precarious situation. Examples abound, at least in the present federal cabinet, the military high command, para-military organisations, recent appointments in the National Population Commission (NPC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The late President Mohammadu Buhari never disguised his disdain and hatred for Ndigbo. Recall that he called South-East a “dot” which can easily be dispensed with. When he was reminded that his policies were glaringly marginalizing South-East, he brainlessly and arrogantly spoke about his 95% versus 5% governance perspective. He kept his word. With time, Nigerians saw through Buhari, not only as culpably incompetent, but as a religious and tribal bigot. Indeed he was a complete disaster. Note that I am not talking ill of a dead man, but stating the obvious facts.
Is there any Igbo name on the list of 21 Nigerians on the death-row in Saudi Arabia? None! Where is Abike Dabiri and persons of her ilk? She should go ahead with her “to err is human” tribal defence. Where are the majority of the proposed victims from?
Nigeria is indeed a nation of aberrations and paradoxes. We have a way of rewarding absurdities, instead of punishment and deterrence because of ethnicity. Check out these… Naira Marley is NDLEA ambassador; and K1 is about to be made Aviation ambassador. For completeness and fairness, Ms Comfort Emmanson should also be rewarded, with OON or MON. if the Federal Government delays in this direction, Akwa Ibom government can make her the state’s ambassador plenipotentiary.
In swift response to the backlash of rewarding and glamouring pubic/security misdemeanours, the Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus Keyamo, gave what he called “further clarifications.” According to him, what they are doing is a global practice when an offender showed remorse. The questions to ask are:
i. When does the “remorse” come: before, during or after the punishment?
ii. Should the appointment of the ambassador, to help fight the alleged misbehavior and security breach come before being punished or after?
For now, she has been getting juicy offers from government quarters (i.e. Delta State), individuals and companies. All these are red flags, which must be discouraged. Warp values are increasingly being entrenched in our cultural and developmental psyche and the youths are watching and ever ready to copy. Simply, go Waco, and get instant visibility, fame and wealth. What a country!
Consistently, during the collection of voters cards, the geo-political regions with terrible security challenges – like the North-East and North-West such as Boko Haram, Banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping, etc. and the attendant internally displaced persons and communities will record higher percentages of collection than South-East where there are no such security challenges. What else can one call this except well-organized voters suppression and disenfranchisement? This is to achieve predetermined goal of continuous marginalization and state persecution.
Why are successive governments and other ethnic groups in the country, feel so insecure, uncomfortable or afraid of Ndigbo? Since 1999, Igbos have been voting massively for presidential candidates from other tribes and geo-political zones… no problem, or criticisms. Everybody was happy. Twenty four (24) years after, by 2023, when they voted for their son, there have been series and sustained campaigns of calumny against them. They may be seeing divine qualities in Ndigbo, hence, the pathological fear and worry. However, these are all existential threats.
All Igbos outside the South-East geo-political enclave have been brainwashed to deny their Igboness, except the Delta Igbos. It is regrettable for those that agreed to do so. I am yet to see any advantage(s) they have over Igbos in South-East or Delta State. Educated sons and daughters among those in denial should teach their people that there is difference between language and dialects. According to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in a public lecture – _“Igbo Bu Igbo.”_ Simpliciter!
Is it not ironic that when Indians, Lebanese, Chinese, South-Africans, Dangote, etc. bought (still buying) large expanse of Lands in Lagos or in any Yoruba State; no issue… no problem… But, immediately Igbos buy few plots or rickety buildings at what a patriotic Yoruba writer calls “outrageously exorbitant prices,” hatchet commentators and compromised and unwise leaders and elders will be shouting “Igbos have taken over our Lagos.”
Instead of encouraging their youths to embrace apprenticeship/artisanship for few years, say 5 – 7 years and become self-reliant and successful like Igbo youths, self-serving Yoruba leaders and elders encourage and sponsor their youths to become thugs, *agberoes,* cultists and nuisances in the society in the name of “area boys.” Thuggery has become a fully state-backed profession or career in Lagos State. These area boys are largely illiterate or semi-illiterate and without any form of skills, except how to carry machetes, sticks and probably guns. After “wasting” their youthful energy and periods in serving their bosses, very few of the thugs will “make it” but majority will be poor and frustrated. Suddenly, they will start envying the boys they saw 15 – 20 years earlier doing pretty well. Life is all about choices. No one eats his cake and have it back.
I will not waste my time advising Lagos State government… Yes, she has huge internally generated revenue profile. The government and its lackeys should go ahead with the “Igbo must leave over land/Lagos *_garagara.”_* I guess they know where more than 80% of these revenues come from? They should learn from the Warri experience. Their traditional rulers are now begging investors and businesses to come back.
Nigerians must have observed that any tribe that produces the nation’s president, his people get emboldened and operate brazenly and with impunity. It happened during Buhari’s tenure. Fulani herdsmen went on rampage, killing indiscriminately. No deterrence… No consequences… Today, some misguided personalities and privileged youths in Lagos are doing same because President Ahmed Tinubu is their brother. Examples include MC Oluomo, Kwam 1 and others. But they should be informed that there are limits to impunity.
Attacking Igbo businesses and economic interests is not getting the haters their desired or expected results or impacts. Assigning outrageous cut-off points for South-East states for admissions into unity/federal government colleges, federal government tertiary institutions and for employment is also not reducing or obliterating the quest for education by Igbos… they have to go to the roots of our strength – education and knowledge. They now use the many agencies they are in control of like JAMB, via technical glitches, in frustrating or scuttling their admission chances. About 379,000 students were involved in the 5 South-East States and Lagos (Lagos for clear and known reason – large Igbo population there), in the 2025 JAMB examinations alone.
It is against this backdrop that Ndigbo should start now to address the numerous existential threats against their interests, overall development and lives. This is because they have reached the cross-road. All hands must be on deck to save this God’s blessed race. They should commence or intensify the following strategies:
1. Ndigbo should adopt a holistic o comprehensive emulation of the Jewish phenomenon – (another article of mine), especially not forgetting and forgiving those that kill them or destroy their economic interests and development. They should design mechanisms to go after them or retaliate more devastatingly. These include Igbo politicians, top government officials, traditional rulers, businessmen, etc., used against their wellbeing. Are the persons supervising and demolishing Igbo business and residential buildings ghosts? They are human beings that can be traced for appropriate action. Henceforth, if they are attached physically, they must be prepared and ready to fight back physically. Heaven will not fall.
The Nuremberg trials, via The Nuremberg International Tribunal, were able to punish culprits of the Holocaust. All the prominent members of the political, military and economic leadership of Nazi Germany were prosecuted. Before these trials, the ring leaders – Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler and Joseph Goebbels committed suicide. Many of the perpetrators that escaped initial trials, migrated to other nations, changed their facial/physical structure via plastic surgeries, were either apprehended and tried or were killed by Isreali Secret Service.
For few years now including currently, Israel has been involved in seven battle fronts in different countries because this small country of 9.974 million people has always faced existential threats by their Arab neighbours. The Jews don’t wait for their relations and their original citizens in Heaven to do that for them. You know them… Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, Joseph her spouse, the twelve apostles, majority of the Bible writers, great prophets, etc. They fight back physically and militarily. Ndigbo can never be closer to God than the Jews.
2. Embrace and intensify the *Aku-Rue-Ulo* Business Philosophy. There must be home-bound investment mindset or perspective, individually and collectively. Systematic disinvestments of their big businesses particularly in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja and bring them down to the South-East should commence in earnest.
3. De-emphasise the mindset of showiness of individual successes and mansion-building competitions. They should learn to pool resources together or jointly to build big banks, relevant factories, industrial estates, ICT/technological hubs, and power plants. See my public lecture at ACCIMA, November 24, 2021, at Aba – _“Economic and Technological Emancipation of South-East: Key to National and Global Relevance.”_
Yes, Igbos are the major importers in Nigeria. However, not all the businesses or sectors require seaports. Examples include big banks, world class secondary schools/universities, hospitals, media conglomerates, farm plantations/settlements, football academies. Igbos should embrace patriotism and sacrifices for the state of their people. Like the Jews and Indians, they should patronize the goods and services of Igbo origin.
4. Ndigbo should resist or stop buying *over-priced* lands in the major cities of the country, especially in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja. This is because most of these expensive mansions and estates become targets of envy and heavy taxes in the short-run and expropriation in the long-run. For example, the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has just released what it called 176 illegal estates giving 21-day ultimatum for these estates to process their layout approvals. Most of these estates are in Eti-Osa, Ajah, Ibeju Lekki and Epe. I hope that Ndigbo are seeing what I am seeing? The main targets of this obnoxious policy are known.
Majority of buildings demolished periodically in Lagos belong to Igbos. Despite all these existential threats, they are not learning, Will they ever learn? Lessons of history have a way of repeating themselves.
Plans are in the offing to reduce the legal duration of certificate of occupancy (CofO) from 100 years to 25 years in Lagos State. Again, in their own interest, Igbos in Lagos should do a thorough analysis, to abreast themselves with the immediate and far-reaching implications of the petition or letter by the faceless and shameless Yoruba Elders Progressive Council (YEPC). The title is: _“Our Land, Our Identity: Lagos State Government Must Act before we are Made Strangers at Home.”_ The entirety of this document is Igbophobic. It is also illegal and xenophobic. Another faceless, shameless and cowardly group Ndigbo should monitor their nefarious moves is the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement (YSDM).
Ndigbo are busy building up Abuja presently. Very soon they will be accused of dominance, take over and hence, become subjects of ethnic hatred and political persecutions as they are currently happening in Lagos State.
5. Ndigbo, as a matter of urgency, survival and seriousness should start holding their political leaders accountable. These include: LGA Chairmen, state and federal appointees, and governors to account for the huge financial resources entrusted on them. For example, monthly federal allocations to local governments and states, including value added tax (VAT) and other intervention funds, are regularly published and are in the public domain. They should be made to account for these funds. They should also tell the people how many job opportunities they were/are able to secure or create for their people like Isa Pantami that secured 611 jobs in the public sector and government owned companies (GOCs) when he was the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy (see my recent article: _“The Igbo Leadership Challenge: South-East Governors/Politicians Work For Your People,”_ August 15, 2025, for details).
6. South-East Governors Forum should earnestly seek and adopt Dr. Michael Okpara’s Economic Blueprint of 1960s that centred on agriculture, education and industrialization. The blueprint saw Eastern Region being the fastest growing and industrializing economy in the entire world then, far ahead of the Asian Tigers and BRICS. According to Prof. Anya O. Anya, “He (Dr. Okpara) certainly deserves intense study if we are over going to appreciate where the rain started to beat us given our present circumstances.”
7. Concrete and sustained efforts should be made to rebut or change many of the negative narratives about Ndigbo, by paid agents and haters. When someone from another tribe demarkets the country like Kemi Badenoch did recently or commits a crime in a foreign land, no problem, no hype and widespread publicity or ethnic profiling. Once the person is an Igbo, for weeks and months, hatchet writers/commentators, Igbo haters, those suffering from *_Igbophobia_* will be at their best, spreading the news as if their lives depend on it, including warped psychological satisfaction and for financial benefits. Igbo activists, scholars, bloggers, artists, influencers, authors, socio-cultural groups, etc. should step up their game via public enlightenments/lectures, writings, not only debunking the falsehoods, but take the battle to the home fronts or tribes of these fake narrators.
8. Majority of the big/wealthy Pentecostal churches are owned by Yorubas, and headquartered in Lagos. And majority of their financiers – paying tithes and sewing all manners of seeds are Igbos given their egalitarian and public spirited/philanthropic nature. Have anyone seen or heard any of these church entrepreneurs called general overseers come out openly to condemn all the atrocities and campaigns of calumny against Ndigbo in Lagos? Their tribalistic traits will never allow them to do so. In one of my articles – _“The Nexus between Poverty and Religious Manipulations and Deceits,”_ April 7, 2022, I accused Ndigbo of suffering from *“religious mumuism.”* My take… they should stop financing these family businesses called churches. Again, they don’t need any motivational speaker answering “man of God” or general overseer to get to the Almighty God. Ndigbo must stop this *spiritual slavery.* Ndigbo must learn to support their village/community churches more than the ones in the cities.
9. Parents should encourage their children (girls and boys) to as a matter of survival and deterrence, embrace the various forms of self-defense/martial arts. They include karate, judo, Kungfu, Taekwondo, Mixed martial arts, boxing skills, western wrestling techniques, etc.
The Igbos should take the advice of the Director of DSS and the Chief of Defense Staff, seriously. It is unfortunate and regrettable that these suggestions came from top security heads. What is the import? It is admittance that security agencies in the country have failed in their duty of protecting lives and properties of the citizens.
In conclusion, if Ndigbo are the problem of this country, they should be given the Singaporean treatment of 1965. I have said and written this to the point of monotony. Recall that Singapore was a Province in Malaysia, and was literally pushed out of the country unprepared. Today, the per capita income of Singapore is about 7 times that of Malaysia. But before then, Ndigbo must seriously start addressing their existential threats in this country. It will be in their own interest to do so now and for future generations. If discerning and patriotic Nigerians are of the view that the civil war has not ended, then Nidgbo must wake up!
Professor Onuoha, Professor of Management and a development activist, wrote from University of Port Harcourt (August 20, 2025). This is one of my gifts for the August home-coming of Ndigbo.
