NDIGBO LAGOS CALLS FOR UNITY, JUSTICE, AND MUTUAL RESPECT AMID RISING ETHNIC TENSIONS
LAGOS, NIGERIA —
In a strongly worded yet conciliatory public statement released on August 5, 2025, NDIGBO LAGOS, the apex coordinating body representing all Igbo organisations within Lagos State and its environs, has called for renewed commitment to unity, justice, and mutual respect in the face of escalating ethnic tensions.
Amid ongoing debates around identity, land ownership, and civic contribution in Nigeria’s commercial capital, the group sought to reaffirm the historical and moral presence of the Igbo people in Lagos, urging restraint, dialogue, and inclusiveness as the only path to peace.
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“We Are Stakeholders, Not Strangers” — Ndigbo Lagos Asserts
Addressing Lagosians and Nigerians at large, NDIGBO LAGOS emphasized that the Igbo people have been part of Lagos’s history long before Nigeria’s independence. From Surulere to FESTAC, Ajegunle to Ikeja, Igbo communities have played vital roles in building homes, marketplaces, faith centers, and educational institutions, contributing significantly to Lagos’s economic and social fabric.
“We are guests — but we are stakeholders,” the statement read. “Our contributions are woven into the city’s fabric, as builders, investors, educators, and peacemakers.”
NDIGBO LAGOS highlighted that its members have, over the years, partnered with the Lagos State Government through initiatives such as sanitation campaigns, scholarship programs for indigent students of all ethnic backgrounds, and grassroots development projects.
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On the Erasure of Igbo Civic Legacy and Ethnic Misinformation
The statement expressed dismay over recent decisions to rename streets bearing Igbo heritage names, viewing such actions as symbolic erasure that undermines inclusivity and shared history.
“Civic memory is not an administrative detail—it is the heartbeat of inclusion. To erase names is to blur histories,” it asserted, while calling for reflection over retaliation.
NDIGBO LAGOS also firmly rejected the recurring ethnic trope of an “Igbo takeover” in Lagos, labelling it a “baseless political and ethnic gimmick” designed to sow discord and fear. The group warned that such divisive narratives were corrosive to peaceful coexistence and collaborative governance.
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Correcting Misconceptions: The “No Man’s Land” Narrative
Significantly, the organisation addressed the politically charged claim that the Igbo community coined the phrase “Lagos is a no man’s land” to undermine Yoruba heritage. It clarified that the phrase was first used by Jaja Anucha Wachuku, Nigeria’s first Speaker of the House of Representatives, in the 1940s to describe Lagos’s status as the then-Federal Capital Territory—a cosmopolitan space for all Nigerians.
“The phrase, in its original context, was not to deny Yoruba ownership or heritage, but to articulate a vision of Lagos as a national space of inclusion,” the group stated.
It noted that prominent Yoruba leaders, including Lagos’s first civilian governor, Lateef Jakande, once echoed similar views to encourage civic unity.
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A Call for Sobriety, Not Strife
In a multi-directional appeal, NDIGBO LAGOS called on various stakeholders to de-escalate rhetoric and prioritize peace:
• To Igbo residents in Lagos, the group urged calm, dignity, and deliberate action over reaction:
“Let your success speak louder than any insult. Let your dignity disarm hostility… Our power lies not in noise, but in quiet excellence.”
• To Yoruba neighbours, the statement appealed for historical perspective and solidarity:
“We are neighbours, not rivals… Let us protect what our ancestors built.”
• To the Lagos State Government, it called for inclusive governance, policy reflection, and a commitment to every Lagosian regardless of origin:
“Inclusive governance is not a concession—it is a mark of courage and maturity.”
• To South-East political leaders, the message was unequivocal: visibility and strategic engagement are essential:
“Lagos is home to millions of your citizens. Their dignity and rights must be actively protected.”
• To Igbo diaspora leadership, it reminded:
“Your voice carries weight. Use it wisely… Speak with purpose. Influence with wisdom.”
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Proposed Pathways for Reconciliation
The body also presented a set of proactive solutions to foster peace and inter-ethnic understanding:
• Establishment of an Inter-Ethnic Peace Council.
• Launch of Cultural Exchange Programs among youths.
• Implementation of Cross-Tribal Development Projects.
• Civic recognitions celebrating all ethnic contributions to Lagos’s growth.
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Closing Words: Building the Lagos We All Deserve
In its final remarks, NDIGBO LAGOS reiterated its unwavering belief in Lagos as a city of dreams and inclusion:
“Let temporary tensions not spoil eternal ties. Let no political misstep destroy decades of unity. Let Lagos rise—not in division, but in dignity.”
The joint statement was signed by Major General Obi Abel Umahi (rtd), OFR and Chief Chuma Igwe, reaffirming the resolve of NDIGBO LAGOS to be a steady bridge between communities, and a force for peace in an increasingly polarised climate.
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For Media Enquiries:
NDIGBO LAGOS
Corporate Head Office
38, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
📞 0805-226-6776
📧 Email: ndigbo_lagos@yahoo.com
