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By Chukwuma Umeorah
Yoruba and Igbo leaders have raised concerns over rising ethnic hostilities in Nigeria, warning that inflammatory rhetoric on social media could degenerate into large-scale conflict if not urgently addressed by government.
At the 67th birthday summit of veteran journalist, Richard Akinnola, in Lagos at the weekend, the leaders who gathered under the theme: “A Handshake Across the Niger: The Yoruba/Igbo Detente” called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to take necessary preemptive actions, including adequate punishment for offenders to forestall further escalations.
Akinnola, in his remarks, warned of parallels with Rwanda’s genocide, stressing that the misuse of social media has worsened ethnic stereotypes and divisions. “What we have witnessed in the past couple of years has been a cause for concern, particularly with the misuse of social media to cause strife, with very acerbic and vitriolic rhetoric. What we are witnessing again now is similar to what happened in Rwanda some two decades ago.”
He explained that inflammatory statements by a few individuals are often wrongly generalised as the collective view of an entire ethnic group, creating dangerous stereotypes. He added that poverty, which cuts across ethnic lines, makes uneducated Nigerians vulnerable to manipulation by politicians.
He emphasised that Nigeria has dormant laws against hate speech, which if enforced, could deter ethnic incitement. “There are about two or three laws, though quite dormant in our statute books, that deal with this, particularly when it comes to ethnic laws against different ethnic groups.”
He cautioned that with the 2027 general elections approaching, unchecked online hostilities could heighten tensions. “We need to stop these stereotypes because the views of one or two persons should not advocate the position of a patrilineal ethnic group.”
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Adewale Adeoye of the Network of Journalists on Indigenous People described the situation as highly inflammable, citing the proliferation of arms among non-state actors and the lack of decisive government’s action. He drew attention to the long-standing neglect of indigenous rights in Abuja, where eight ethnic groups only secured ministerial representation recently, despite the Federal Capital Territory being created in 1976. “A good government will look at the future and take preemptive measures to ensure that things do not get out of hand.”
Adeoye further warned that without urgent intervention, existing resentments could easily be weaponized during politically sensitive periods. He also noted that while ethnic frictions predated digital platforms, social media has amplified divisions and fuelled discord. He, however, appealed to the public to respect ethnic diversity and uniqueness.
“The level of integration between the Igbo and the Yoruba, two great civilisations, is deep. In every household, where you see a Yoruba man, you also see an Igbo man. The prospect of conflict is unimaginable.”
Delivering the keynote lecture, former Anambra State Commissioner for Information, C. Don Adinuba, stressed the need to reinforce unity by drawing from shared history.
Recalling personal experiences of kindness across ethnic lines during the Biafran War, he argued that the Yoruba and the Igbo are deeply connected. “The Yoruba and the Igbo are the same people, the same origins. Every scholar knows it,” he said, pointing to historical and linguistic ties as well as notable examples of inter-ethnic cooperation.
He praised the peace initiatives by Nigerians and key stakeholders, who have, over time, dedicated themselves to de-escalating tensions between ethnic groups. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” The stakeholders present made a collective call for sustained dialogue and preventive measures to preserve harmony between what they described as Nigeria’s two largest ethnic groups.
