March 27, 2025
By Adedoja Adesoji
A proposed Federal bill that aims to grant indigenous rights to Nigerians based on residency or marriage has ignited widespread outrage, particularly among indigenous groups.
Many indigenous communities view the bill as a threat to their ethnic identity, culture, and traditions, sparking fears that it could erode their cultural heritage and historical connection to their land.
In a strongly-worded statement, Think Yoruba First, a socio cultural group for the restoration & preservation of the Yorubas has warned that the bill, sponsored by Hon. Kalu Okezie, would “erode the cultural and historical foundations of indigenous peoples across Nigeria” and exacerbate ethnic tensions.
The bill proposes that individuals who have lived in a particular place for ten years or have been married to an indigenous person for the same period be granted indigenous rights.
However, Think Yoruba First argues that this would undermine the rights of indigenous peoples and create a “dangerous catalyst for ethnic tensions, conflicts, and long-term instability.”
The group points to global precedents, citing examples from the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, where indigenous identity is tied to ancestry, cultural heritage, and historical connection to the land, rather than residency or marriage.
“No serious nation undermines the rights of its indigenous people by arbitrarily granting indigenous status to settlers,” the statement reads.
Think Yoruba First also warns of the historical dangers of ethnic displacement, citing cases such as the Rwandan genocide, the South Sudan conflict, and the Yugoslav Wars, urging all the Honorable members of the House of Representatives to immediately rejects the bill.
The group argued that Nigeria itself has witnessed countless ethnic conflicts due to territorial and indigenous disputes.
The organization urges lawmakers from the South West, South South, and North Central, North East, and North West regions to strongly oppose the bill in its entirety. Instead, they call on the National Assembly to focus on demanding ethnolinguistic restructuring of Nigeria, as advocated by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to promote peaceful coexistence, economic empowerment, and equitable development for all Nigerians.
As the bill makes its way through the legislative process, Think Yoruba First’s warning serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of altering indigenous identity.
“The protection of indigenous rights is a fundamental responsibility that must not be compromised,” the group mentioned.
