Stop Fighting Each Other, Start Being Nigerian..

I have never really understood the concept of tribalism, it always feels so strange and unnecessary to me. The idea of bringing down people from the same country just because they are not from your tribe is something I will never truly understand.

Things like: “Igbo supremacy.”

“You’re too beautiful to be a Yoruba babe”

“Edo or nothing.”

“Hausa on Top”

Honestly, I find all of this very tiring. As a country, we are not supposed to be divided — we are supposed to be one. And sometimes you won’t even realize how common tribalism is. It shows up in backhanded compliments, in jokes, in small jabs, and in constant comparisons.

I once saw a post of a foreigner appreciating our culture. She said she loved the attire and the gele Nigerians wear for weddings. Immediately I saw it, I already sensed there would be an argument. A Yoruba person commented that it was only Yoruba culture, not all Nigerians. Some Igbo people replied that they also wear gele. Before long, the comment section turned into a display of tribal arguments.

I was honestly disappointed. It became so confusing that even the foreigner didn’t seem to understand what was going on anymore. All she did was compliment our culture!!

Aren’t we all supposed to be Nigerians?

Then there are still the so-called compliments, like telling a beautiful Yoruba girl that she’s “too pretty to be Yoruba,” or the way Yorubas and Igbos insult each other with stereotypes about body types. Is that really supposed to be funny?

Tribalism is one of the easiest ways to divide a country. When people are divided and constantly at odds with each other, it becomes easier to pit them against one another instead of standing together.

With love

From Temii 💗