**Deep-seated tribalism is taking lives. Fast. Nigeria needs to split before the world witnesses another genocide.** As beautiful and as vibrant as the people are, the problems plaguing Nigeria are too great to be ignored. The solutions to corruption, state-sanctioned ethnic violence, religious tensions, and a severe lack of democratic accountability lie far beyond the need for better economic policies or a more robust criminal justice system. Instead, there needs to be a fundamental re-evaluation of the very nature of the entity that we call “Nigeria” which presently resembles a mere corporate entity rather than a functioning nation state. This is because like almost every other African country whose borders were drawn up thousands of miles away in a European boardroom, [Nigeria is far from an organic creation](https://www.cfr.org/blog/lord-lugard-created-nigeria-104-years-ago). Thus, divisions based along tribal and religious lines run rife among every sector of society and make it significantly more difficult to govern effectively. One might argue that the issues relating to the diversity of cultural values can be solved through the implementation of a more genuine federal structure with a stronger focus on regional government and self-determination. However, so long as the central government continues to [perpetuate](https://www.premiumtimesng.com/opinion/471255-to-the-house-of-arewa-president-buharis-igbo-problem-by-osmund-agbo.html) ethnic and religious violence against its own people, then a unified Nigeria will only lead to more lives being lost. For example: • Ex-Boko Haram terrorists are [reintegrated](https://www.voanews.com/africa/nigerian-women-lead-reintegration-ex-boko-haram-militants) into society without punishment, whilst peaceful protesters are [shot in the dead of night and their bodies hidden](https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/nigeria-cover-lekki-toll-gate-massacre-continues-100-days-after-killings); • Violent clashes between [armed nomadic herdsmen and local farmers](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-36139388) are left unaccounted for by the government, whilst those asking for a democratic independence referendum are threatened to be treated in a [“language they understand”](https://www.theafricareport.com/96550/buharis-deleted-tweet-and-the-ghost-of-nigerias-civil-war/), a statement which alluded to the [1967 Nigerian Civil War](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-51094093) which involved a [blockade](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/21/buried-50-years-britain-shamesful-role-biafran-war-frederick-forsyth) that caused millions of Igbo people to die of starvation; • Government officials openly dialogue with [dangerous bandits](https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/440989-my-dialogue-with-bandits-has-reduced-killings-in-zamfara-governor.html), whilst critics of the government are [illegally kidnapped](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/09/biafra-separatist-leader-abducted-nigeria-kenya-family-alleges-nnamdi-kanu) from foreign countries and tortured. How many more lives need to be lost for the sake of maintaining the territorial integrity of Nigeria, an identity which was imposed onto the people by the British and continues to be enforced by the political elites who actively benefit from the insecurity? At the very least, it is clear is that Nigerians need to be given the opportunity to provide their verdict on the Nigeria Question after 100 years of being deprived of that choice.

Very interesting argument Mayowa! Yes it can be argued that the violence seen is a large enough reason to reintroduce the Biafra. But perhaps there is an alternative measure that can be taken to settle the unrest in Nigeria.

Captivating viewpoint Mayowa! The continuous failures of the Nigerian state cannot be ignored. A country with so much potential given its enormous population and leading economic standing in Africa, time and time again fails to provide security and welfare for its citizens and to meet the expectations of a democratic state. The question of Nigerian unity is certainly a polarising debate and to be completely honest I do not stand on either end of the spectrum, despite this, the deeper I delve into Nigerian history the more I find myself increasingly leaning towards pro-separatism. Why have I shifted to a more pro-separatism stance? We must all acknowledge that “Nigeria” was a British creation and prior to European colonialism in Africa, Nigeria as a state did not exist. Meaning that there was a form of disrupted harmony, not in the sense that events in West Africa were merely peaceful but rather that tribes, territorial divisions and the distribution of power that was in place was natural and not highly influenced by foreign powers. The Nigerian Civil War is crucially important in discussions surrounding separatism as it marked a period in which Nigeria was closest to un-doing colonial marks. It also highlighted the issues of violence and ethnic tensions which still prevails in Nigeria with the likes of Boko Haram and SARS police. Nigeria is such a diverse country in terms of ethnic groups, languages and tribes. In some instances, diversity as a concept works to foster societal growth and global awareness, but unfortunately in the case of Nigeria this tribal and ethnic diversity has promoted corruption, tribalism, and violence. Simply put, it has proven to be politically and socioeconomically draining for Nigerian citizens. Therefore it is for this very reason that I cannot deny the dysfunctional nature of Nigerian unity.