The fear of Igbo domination is responsible for a lot of events in Nigerian history.

To understand this, you must go back to before independence. The Igbos held top positions in literally every field. #Nigeria had 4 universities at the time and Igbos were in charge of 3 while a white man was in charge of 1. They also dominated trade & commerce and the military. In politics they were also leading. 

The 1st event that this fear inspired is one of the least discussed or even known mass murder in recent history. In 1966, 30,000 Igbos and related ethnic groups were hunted and slaughtered in broad day light by people they’ve lived with for many years. The government and indeed the whole world, pretended not to know what was going on. As soon as the Igbos who are known for never letting anyone trample on their dignity and freedom, decided to leave, Nigeria with the support of Britain, America & U.S.S.R declared war.

The 2nd event was the indigenisation policy which was introduced by General Yakubu Gowon & his finance minister Obafemi Awolowo. Under this policy, Nigerians were permitted to buy up foreign owned Nigerian businesses. However, these same men ensured that only £20 was returned to Igbos regardless of how much they previously had. I’ll let you figure out why this was done. 

The 3rd is not so much an event but manipulation. In Nigeria, we are told that the North is more populated than other regions. But it is clear that census data in Nigeria is manipulated in favour of some groups. The north is mostly inhabitable desert. In reality, There are more Igbos; over 23 million Igbos at home, in Lagos, Igbos make up over 30% of the population, over 15% of the population in Kano are Igbo, Igbos make up atleast over 8% of the population in other Nigerian urban cities, and in the rest of Africa & the world, there are atleast 6 million Igbos in diaspora. You do the maths. 

Then, there is the constant lie that Igbos are illiterate traders although according to educational bodies like WAEC, JAMB, Nigeria University Commission (NUC), Igbo states graduate more students from High school, matriculate more students into University & produce more PhD holders than other groups.

Lastly, the deliberate exclusion of Igbos from mainstream politics. It is usually the norm for the 3 highest elected positions in Nigeria to be occupied by the 3 main ethnic groups in Nigeria. But today, an Hausa/Fulani is president, a Yoruba is VP and a Yoruba is Senate President. An Igbo is deputy senate president. 

Then, there is the deliberate removal of Igbo influence from oil producing regions of Nigeria. In the past, all of the Niger-Delta was under Igbo influence, when oil was discovered, new states were created out of the eastern region. 

Igbos don’t tend to speak about these things for fear of being accused of tribalism. But, call me whatever you like.. It’s the truth! And we shouldn’t tolerate it. All these tactics have  not been able to stop the Igbo, though, the psychological impacts on Ndi Igbo can’t be understated or underestimated.