Why Nigeria should pick Competency in Leadership Instead of Tribe

Nigeria is a proper description of a multi-ethnic country. The Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa may be described as its three major tribes, but it houses over 300 tribes. Each tribe having its own culture has made Nigeria one of the most culturally rich and diverse country on the African continent. Unfortunately, the initial idea of unity in diversity seems far-fetched and only tribalism as swamped the country making unity a pipe dream.

What is tribalism in Nigeria?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, “Tribalism is the behaviour and attitudes that stems from strong loyalty to one’s own tribe or social group.” Based on the definition, it is clear to see that there is nothing actually wrong with tribalism rather it should be embraced and emulated. Sadly, when referring to tribalism in Nigeria this idea isn’t what the people see or practice.

Tribalism in Nigeria is the exaltation of one tribe above others. Tribalism within Nigeria exists in all situations and can encompass the oppression of a certain tribe by others. In the societal spheres such as business, religion, politics, education, health, etc., tribalism is always lurking within and as permeated even the thoughts of children. The presence of tribalism in society is almost common and true as the phrase, “where there are two persons, politics exists”.

The most common tool of tribalism in Nigeria is the stereotype. For instance, amongst the three major tribes in Nigeria, the Igbos are known as good business people who are poorly educated and greedy for money yet consider themselves better than the Hausas who are known for rearing cattle. The Yoruba tribe on the other hand are known for being intellectual persons who have terrible business sense and are dirty. The same issue of stereotype applies to other tribes as one measure or the other is used as an esteeming factor for one above the other. This might seem small and negligible at the social level, but turns into a big ticking time bomb when replicated in the political system of a democratic society.

To summarize what tribalism in Nigeria is would be difficult to put into words but we could describe as the following;

1. Favouritism towards people of their tribe.
2. Giving of privileges to them irrespective of the qualifications needed to access those privileges.
3. Sticking to stereotypes about other tribes.
4. Boasting about the good qualities of their tribes
5. Refuting the negative claims about their tribes and sometimes even shielding the faults.
6. Tribalism in Nigeria affects even romantic relationships and marriage life as it prefers marriages to exist among members of the same tribe as opposed to intertribal unions.

Tribalism in Nigeria has abound for as long as we could remember but it is quite certain that it hasn’t always been so. Tribalism either emitted from somewhere, was effected by something or was the resultant effect of a series of actions. As a good cliché says, “for every action there is a reaction”. These are the most likely causes of tribalism in Nigeria.

1. The Amalgamation of the Country: this was most probably the first detonation in this tribal war. In 1914, when the nations ruler decided to join the southern and northern protectorates, it’s difficult to believe the consequences of such actions were envisioned. Mixing oil and water has never worked for anyone neither will the combination of persons would totally different beliefs, idea and culture balance off well.
2. The Resource Struggle: Presently, this is the foremost reason for all tribal issues and outbreaks. Every tribe wants the better resources, better treatment, etc. Each tribe wants a situation that favours them and places them above the others. This has even affected the democratic system of the country as people no longer vote the true choice which could help the government system but would prefer to vote a person from their tribe or related in a way to their tribe. They believe this would help them ensure greater control of the economy.
3. Religious Conflict: this is another major cause of tribalism. Within Nigeria, Christianity and Islam are presently the two major religions with traditional religion and others practiced by a minority. Furthermore, Christianity is largely practiced by people of the South while the North have more Muslims. This difference in culture has fuelled the tribalism in Nigeria.
4. Marginalization: this has to do with neglect of the minority groups. There are so many tribes in Nigeria that some tribes have been marginalized and have been unable to air their opinions or even receive adequate resources. This has led to resentment towards major tribes.
5. Miscommunication: the lack of interest in each other and the dependence on stereotypes to communication has enhanced this tribalism. Judging people before getting to know them has never solved anything before.

Disadvantages of Tribalism

Tribalism is serious danger to any country, Nigeria included. If there is a word with which one could describe tribalism, it would be corruption. Rather than listing out a summary of its disadvantages, let’s examine the damage it could actually do.

1. It ruins relationships: No matter what kind, be it platonic or romantic, tribalism tears it all asunder. Tribalism would pick tribe over emotions and sometimes even over profit. Numerous business has been affected as a result of the clash of tribal interest. The most common damage done to relationships is that done to marriages where families break their children’s relationships to hinder intertribal marriages.
2. It promotes corruption in government: Nigeria citizens keep crying over the corruption in the nation and how its weight is crushing them. Yet, they keep giving it a hand in killing them through tribalism. For instance, an Igbo person would rather see an unfit Igbo leader or any unfit southerner on the ruling seat than vote a good northern leader. This is also applicable to persons from the north and west. Tribalism has been among the major reasons why true democracy in Nigeria cannot happen because in this all tribal system, there seems to be an unspoken rule regarding exposing your fellow tribesman. Seeking for resources has left the business of serving justice unchecked.
3. It destroys work efficiency: In a situation where a human resource manager of a company chooses to employ persons of his own tribe than those who qualify for the job, the company faces a backlash of poor efficiency as a result of it. If when promotions and contracts are awarded based on tribal influence, the cheated party are offended and are unable to work well. In some cases, the offended party resigns and that organization loses a good talent.
4. Suppression of justice: People have wholeheartedly embraced mediocrity and injustice all for the sake of resource control and the thirst for power. Rather than getting justice, crimes are buried in order to seek gains. Take for instance, a man who is seen as the popular candidate for an election commits a crime. His tribesmen who have much to gain from his successful campaign would cover such issues and suppress justice.
5. Hinders unity and uniform growth: Because of tribalism, the different tribes are unable to work together effectively and cannot bring out their uniqueness or effect their areas of strength. The fear of being surpassed and the struggle for resources has got some tribes improving while others are declining. This has in whole affected the general growth of the country.

The disadvantages of tribalism stretch for miles. In truth, the state of our country was played by tribalism.

Ironically, tribalism may very well be the reason why none of the indigenous language in the country is recorded as its official language. In a country as culturally rich and diverse as Nigeria, it is quite sad that it has a borrowed language which is English as its official language. If the question of why English is the official language of Nigeria should arise, I would probably have one answer, Tribalism. Each tribe believes itself supreme to the others and selecting the language of one tribe would probably just add a notch to their belt and dissensions amongst the others. It is practically safe to say that choosing English as the country’s official language might have been the only way to maintain peace and to an extent, equality.

Summarily, when Chinua Achebe defined ethnicity as “discrimination against a citizen because of the place of his/her birth”, he was referring to tribalism. While tribalism in Nigeria, its causes and disadvantages have been addressed there still hasn’t been a proper solution thrown in the mix. While the first step towards resolving it would be understanding and acceptance, one has to know that it isn’t easy to get rid of what has been ingrained since birth. Tribalism is no respecter of person or education and can be seen in every place. It is both a conscious and subconscious act. If we hope to move forward if we have to be ready to rid ourselves of the bane of our development and growth which is tribalism.