I don’t know if there is a deliberate or orchestrated move by certain elements in Nigerian politics to deny the Ibos (Igbos) the opportunity to govern Nigeria since the end of the Nigerian civil war. As long as I don’t know for sure, I cannot help but wonder how Nigeria would have looked like if the Igbos were to run Nigeria for twelve years. Nigerians have seen the leaders from the Northern and Western parts of Nigeria miss great opportunities to improve things for the people.

If you don’t know, Nigeria has three major ethnic groups; the Ibos in the southeast part, the Hausas in the north and the Yorubas in the southwest. On the 30^th May 1967, the Ibos, in a futile attempt to breakaway from Nigeria, declared the Republic of Biafra. The rebellion was finally quashed when the Igbo military leaders surrendered to the Federal forces. The General Yakubu Gowon regime was magnanimous in victory after the war with a promise of rehabilitation of the Igbos into the Nigerian political mainstream.

Since then there were frequent clashes between the Hausas and the Igbos. Some of the attacks on Igbos by the Hausas originate from issues that have nothing whatsoever to do with the Igbos. This leaves the Igbos (and other ethnic groups in Nigeria) to wonder if the civil war wounds have really healed.

Today, thirty-seven years after the end of the civil war, nothing appeared to have been done to ensure that the Igbos’ political ambitions are not restricted by the ill feeling generated by the civil war. The highest rank an Ibo or southeastern person has achieved in Nigeria since 1967 is the position of Vice President. A sore point for me and some other Nigerians is Lagos, a federal territory, where the Igbos remain the second largest ethnic population. Yet the Ibos have no representation amongst the Lagos state government ministers.{mosgoogle}

In response to the various issues they identified as peculiar to them, the Igbo youths set up an organisation called MASSOB, an acronym for the “Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra.” This effectively re-opened old issues that are reminiscent of the days before the civil war. MASSOB, a by-product of the perceived marginalisation of the Igbo ethnic group, was able to enlist sufficient members.

The federal government, not renowned for tolerating any form of peaceful protest, has been very brutal in the treatment of the members of MASSOB. The panicky Federal government response far outweighed the security threat that MASSOB poses. Perhaps, the use of the word “Biafra” is what the federal government finds dreadful.

The reality is that majority of Igbos do not seriously consider independence from Nigeria. The Igbos are more Nigerian than other ethnic groups. They are ardent travellers. You could find an Igbo person in any part of Nigeria, contributing significantly to the local and national economy. The Ibos are hardworking and are often self-employed businessmen and women.

I have worked very closely with the Igbos. I believe Nigeria could have been different if Igbos were at the helm. The Igbos are the jewels in the Nigerian crown!

As I look into the horizon, I imagine the day when the people of Ibo nationality, of the Eastern part of Nigerian, through the electoral process take over the mantle of leadership of Nigerian politics and management of the economy. I imagine the transformation of this wonderful country into a respected technologically advanced world power. Yes, the Igbos are renowned business people. They are gifted. The Igbos are coming, let the Yorubas play the talking drums to announce their arrival and let the Hausas play the trumpets for all Nigerians to dance and rejoice.

Let me take you to the year 2015 when the new Nigeria we all envisaged started. An Igbo was elected the president of Nigeria. The Igbo president had the support of all Nigerians to transform the country into an economically advanced country within the next fifteen years. At the inauguration ceremony held in Abuja, the Yorubas came out in large number beating their talking drums and the Hausas trooped out in colour on horse back playing their horns.  It was a joyous occasion. The newly elected president was allowed to nominate ministers with out regard to whether they were all Igbos or not. The Nigeria economic transformation began.

Nigerians were feeling the economic gains in their pockets. At the 2019 election the Igbo president was re-elected and continued the policy of industrialising Nigeria.

By 2020, barely five years in office, the much talk about Nigeria energy crisis became a thing of the post. There were major investment in housing, water supply, roads, transport and telecommunication. All universities and teaching hospitals were equipped to a world class standard. Nigerian doctors and other healthcare staff abroad were trooping home in their thousands. The new Nigeria that appeared impossible was born. No more talk of Biafra, OPC or any other separatist groups.

Another Igbo presidential candidate was nominated in 2022 against the expectations of people who were advocating rotation. In the following year’s election the Igbo candidate was duly elected president with similar mandate and policies. The goal of industrialising Nigeria within the shortest possible time frame was pursued with more vigour.

In 2025, I attended a trade fair organised in Lagos. The displays of ‘made in Nigeria’ goods including Cars, trucks and lorries, computers hardware and software, medical equipment, manufacturing and processing equipment, refrigerators, air conditioners and electronic gadgets were impressive. There were visitors to the fair from North and South America, Asia and Europe. Foreign visitors and journalists were amazed by the quality of the products.

During the budget speech of 2026, the federal government set up the Unemployment Benefit system to be administered by each state government. There was in place a comprehensive state electoral register, birth and death registry and national identity card system. Nigerians who were unemployed were being paid some money that is calculated on the basis of where they live, their marital status and the number of dependents. The revenue base of the each state government was enhanced by a strictly administered but fair taxation regime.

This is my vision of the future. You may not see it. Only one person has a vision. I am that one person. Your role is to implement this vision. You need to believe it. Let’s start by giving an Igbo man a shot at the presidency. We have tried the two other main ethnic groups, now is the turn of an Igbo person.

The Igbos are coming. Rejoice at that news.

Robot  Villager

# 1 As I look into the horizon, I imagine the day when the people of the Eastern part of Nigerian, th...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 26.06.2007 01:53

Mikky jaga  Villager

# 2 If an Igbo will be president, the first step is to insist that the rest of Nigeria should stop referring to them as Ibos. The "g" that they conveniently remove stands for "govern" which is a way of telling them governance is not their lot. But, seriously, for any organization to function very well, there must be division of labour. Every one should concentrate on what they can do best. We have seen that the North (Hausa/Fulani) is adept in politics, whether the military or civilian variety, let us allow them to continue in that area. The Yorubas are good in business and education, they should also concentrate on that. The Ibos (Igbos) are good in manfacture and technology, they also should concerntrate in developing tat area. Other ethnic groups should also find their areas of excellence and make sure they excel in such areas. This will make Nigeria work like a well structured company with imputs from every section of the country. The amount of money wasted every 4 years on elections could have been used to develop our economy if there is no struggle for who is naturally endoiwed for which position. Our Northern brethren (Hausa Fulani) have been very magnanimous in allowing other Nigerians, especially Yorubas to have some look into what governance is all about. They should be commended for that. It is now time they should be allowed to settle down to the business of governing Nigeria for which they are naturally gifted. They should not allow any distraction from the Igbos (Ibos) who want to intrude into areas where they are not gifted for. Rather than clamouir for Igbo presidency, they should concentrate on perfecting the Aba made shoes and the numerous Ibo made spare parts so tha Nigeria can be launched into technoloy age. I even learnt that the Igbos built functional refinery during the Civil war. If they canm concentrate on this, the perenial fuel problem will soon be a thing of the past. As long as Nigeria remains one, each one of us should concentrate on what we can do best so as to move the country forward. Posted by Mikky jaga| 26.06.2007 03:48

nigeria we hail thee!  Villager

# 3 Thanks prophet Nosa Olotu. I can't wait for this your prophesy to come to pass. God bless Nigeria. Posted by nigeria we hail thee!| 26.06.2007 06:35

nero africanus  Villager

# 4 =Mikky jaga;186900>If an Igbo will be president, the first step is to insist that the rest of Nigeria should stop referring to them as Ibos. The "g" that they conveniently remove stands for "govern" which is a way of telling them governance is not their lot. But, seriously, for any organization to function very well, there must be division of labour. Every one should concentrate on what they can do best. We have seen that the North (Hausa/Fulani) is adept in politics, whether the military or civilian variety, let us allow them to continue in that area. The Yorubas are good in business and education, they should also concentrate on that. The Ibos (Igbos) are good in manfacture and technology, they also should concerntrate in developing tat area. Other ethnic groups should also find their areas of excellence and make sure they excel in such areas. This will make Nigeria work like a well structured company with imputs from every section of the country. The amount of money wasted every 4 years on elections could have been used to develop our economy if there is no struggle for who is naturally endoiwed for which position. Our Northern brethren (Hausa Fulani) have been very magnanimous in allowing other Nigerians, especially Yorubas to have some look into what governance is all about. They should be commended for that. It is now time they should be allowed to settle down to the business of governing Nigeria for which they are naturally gifted. They should not allow any distraction from the Igbos (Ibos) who want to intrude into areas where they are not gifted for. Rather than clamouir for Igbo presidency, they should concentrate on perfecting the Aba made shoes and the numerous Ibo made spare parts so tha Nigeria can be launched into technoloy age. I even learnt that the Igbos built functional refinery during the Civil war. If they canm concentrate on this, the perenial fuel problem will soon be a thing of the past. As long as Nigeria remains one, each one of us should concentrate on what we can do best so as to move the country forward. mikky jaga my brother , that thing you have been smoking must be very good , i must try some of it i will send you a pm shortly with my mailing address so you will send me a sample , i hope it is not too expensive so i can afford it after "tasting "..................... Posted by nero africanus| 26.06.2007 07:18

Sapele Man  Villager

# 5 =Mikky jaga;186900>......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... But, seriously, for any organization to function very well, there must be division of labour. ........ We have seen that the North (Hausa/Fulani) is adept in politics, whether the military or civilian variety, let us allow them to continue in that area. The Yorubas are good in business and education, they should also concentrate on that. The Ibos (Igbos) are good in manfacture and technology, ....... Other ethnic groups should also find their areas of excellence and make sure they excel in such areas. ............... The amount of money wasted every 4 years on elections could have been used to develop our economy if there is no struggle for who is naturally endoiwed for which position. Our Northern brethren (Hausa Fulani) have been very magnanimous in allowing other Nigerians, especially Yorubas to have some look into what governance is all about. They should be commended for that. .................................... Rather than clamouir for Igbo presidency, they should concentrate on perfecting the Aba made shoes and the numerous Ibo made spare parts so tha Nigeria can be launched into technoloy age. I even learnt that the Igbos built functional refinery during the Civil war. If they canm concentrate on this, the perenial fuel problem will soon be a thing of the past. As long as Nigeria remains one, each one of us should concentrate on what we can do best so as to move the country forward. Do I need to tell you to see a psychiatrist? Posted by Sapele Man| 27.06.2007 01:53

Mikky jaga  Villager

# 6 Nero Africanus, I did not wish to respond to your request initially since the matter is a very private matter and the thing I smoke is very scarce indeed. However, since Sapele man, after taking too much Sapele Water, has decided to intervene in a strictly personal affair, I have decided to oblige you. Like I said, the thing is very scarce indeed. It is grown only in the arid part of our arid north. I have very few quantity which is reserved for my personal use anytime I feel like, but you can contact Umaru Dikko, he surely will have enough to spare you. Thanks for your interest Posted by Mikky jaga| 27.06.2007 03:52

Sapele Man  Villager

# 7 =Mikky jaga;187175>Nero Africanus, I did not wish to respond to your request initially since the matter is a very private matter and the thing I smoke is very scarce indeed. However, since Sapele man, after taking too much Sapele Water, has decided to intervene in a strictly personal affair, I have decided to oblige you. Like I said, the thing is very scarce indeed. It is grown only in the arid part of our arid north. I have very few quantity which is reserved for my personal use anytime I feel like, but you can contact Umaru Dikko, he surely will have enough to spare you. Thanks for your interest I must admit, I like your humour, if nothing else. I will be following your comments. Maybe I can learn something. You never can tell. Stay blessed. Posted by Sapele Man| 27.06.2007 12:19

purple  Villager

# 8 =Mikky jaga;186900> But, seriously, for any organization to function very well, there must be division of labour. Every one should concentrate on what they can do best. We have seen that the North (Hausa/Fulani) is adept in politics, whether the military or civilian variety, let us allow them to continue in that area. The Yorubas are good in business and education, they should also concentrate on that. The Ibos (Igbos) are good in manfacture and technology, they also should concerntrate in developing tat area. Other ethnic groups should also find their areas of excellence and make sure they excel in such areas. This will make Nigeria work like a well structured company with imputs from every section of the country. . Likewise in the US, the African Americans are good at entertainment and sports, let them stick to that, while the Caucasians are good at politics and business (White House/Wall Street), let them stick to that. The Chinese Americans are good at making shrimp fried rice. They should stick to that and of course the good Mexican Americans who are so skilled at working the farms and cleaning hotels should just stick to what they do best. Posted by purple| 27.06.2007 14:09

Unregistre  Villager

# 9 Dream on Nosa, dream on; it is easier for the igbos to actualize their desire for the sovereign state of Biafra than for there to be a Nigerian President of igbo extraction. Posted by Unregistre| 27.06.2007 20:00

Afeni  Villager

# 10 There only way Nigeria will have an Igbo President is if the man is the most self-hating person in the country. If anyone is thinking that they will let you produce somebody that would do something good for your region, you are joking. Look at Obasanjo, he withheld billions of naira from Lagos Government, didn't do anything to rebuild the former capital, and aided the SW PDP governors rigg the hell of the 2007 elections. You will be surprised that come 2015, if they decide to make an Igbo man President, they will find the most sadistic and self-hating person so that he will not have a base at home. That way he will have to rely on outsiders for support. Posted by Afeni| 27.06.2007 20:15

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