Tribalism have been the cause of division in the country for a long period of time and putting an end to it would help not just the citizens but the nation at large.

TRIBALISM IN NIGERIA

EFERHIO BENITA TESEMI

Nigeria is a country often viewed as one united nation on the African continent, but in reality, it is a nation comprised of a variety of tribes, each with different cultures and beliefs. While the diversity of tribes is an important aspect of Nigerian identity, it has also caused deep societal divisions, an issue often referred to as "tribalism."

Tribalism in Nigeria is a complex issue that has been fuelled by years of political strife, social and economic disparities, and religious differences. It is characterized by a strong desire to identify with one's tribe, its traditions and customs, and a corresponding aversion to other tribes. This form of "us vs. them" mentality has been the root of several conflicts in the country. It is common within the various tribes in our country, we find out that if a person from a particular tribe happens to be the hiring manager in a company he would only put those from his tribe in respected position no matter how unqualified they are. This boils down to all fields and to every place of enterprise in our country. 

The most notable effect of tribalism is the political divide present in Nigeria. In each electoral cycle, elections are often seen as a battle between various ethnic groups, where people vote for their preferred candidate based on their tribe rather than on their policies and achievements. This form of political tribalism has long been a root cause of the deep political divisions present in Nigeria and has hindered the nation's growth and development. We would always want our person to rule, deceiving ourselves that our tribal person is better at ruling and has a greater ambition than the person from another tribe. This mentality has affected not only the life of individuals but Nigeria at large, we should go for those who can actually lead the country to a better place or should I say greener pasture. We must learn to put an individual who has vision, morals and understanding of the people in him, not just voting for a person because he or she may be from our respective tribes. Some believe that only a particular tribe should take charge in this great nation, and this is wrong, those with good leadership qualities and visions for the betterment of our country or organisation should be allowed to take charge. If we pick an incompetent leader to rule just because he is from our tribe how do we think the country would be?0

Apart from politics, tribalism has also been a significant factor in social circles, business, and even foreign affairs. It has created a rift between families and communities, preventing growth and development in various parts of the country. Due to tribalism, some people living in certain parts of Nigeria are more likely to struggle economically than those in other regions. Tribalism hinders the growth of communities, tribes an even individuals, if we remain tribalistic and decide to favour only our tribes don’t be surprised that our community or companies would flop. There should be cultural diversity, we can never tell which tribe would be favourable to our community or even business in two to three years time. We should learn to give other tribes the benefit of the doubt. 

One of the biggest challenges of tribalism in Nigeria is that it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. People are determined to view others based on their tribe, thus creating a culture of stereotyping and discrimination. It has become so common in the country that if some persons hear that another person sitting close to them is from another tribe they would start doing comparison between the both tribes, this in itself usually results to conflicts and it can also result to murder if not stopped on time. Discrimination and stereotyping, leads to a vicious cycle that makes it even more difficult to break the pattern of division in the various tribes of the country.

To overcome tribalism, it is necessary first to recognize its limitations. It can be challenging to make this effort, as customs and traditions are deeply ingrained within tribes. However, true progress can only come when Nigerians start to see themselves as one, united country, which embraces and regards each other as people, rather than simply a member of a particular tribe. By instilling the cooperation and harmony of all tribes we can create a better and a greater Nigeria, where we would value and respect the indigenous tribes of the country.

In conclusion, while tribalism remains a significant problem in Nigeria, it is important to remember that it is not a permanent fixture. Building a more inclusive society is possible, but the process can only begin when people start seeing one another as fellow Nigerians, rather than just a member of a specific tribe. Nigeria's leaders must focus on creating policies that are inclusive and ensure that every citizen has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Only then can Nigeria fulfil its true potential as a united and prosperous nation.

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