The National Peace Committee, NPC, and the European Union, EU, have urged Nigerians to prioritise a shared national identity over ethnic, religious, or regional affiliations, warning that failure to do so could push the country toward deeper instability.
The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja at an NPC dialogue themed “Nigeria’s National Identity: Revisiting the Indigene-Settler Question.”
NPC Convener, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, expressed concern that despite years of nation-building efforts, Nigeria continues to fall short of the aspirations of its founding leaders.
He said the country remains entangled in “internal fractures” fuelled by conflict, mistrust, and multiple layers of identity that compete with the idea of a unified nation.
Kukah noted that the Nigerian Constitution already outlines the foundation for national cohesion. He highlighted Section 14 of Chapter 2, which requires the government to reflect the country’s diversity, and Section 15, which forbids discrimination while guaranteeing every citizen freedom of movement and residence across Nigeria.
He cautioned that persistent divisions threaten the country’s stability, stating:
“We must lift our sense of Nigerian identity to a higher platform of shared citizenship. Until we commit to this common identity, we will continue to grieve separately, bury our dead in isolation, and chant our songs of sorrow in different languages.”
Kukah recalled that the NPC was established in 2014 to promote unity, reconciliation, and a democratic process capable of strengthening Nigeria’s social fabric.
He appealed to citizens to stand together in building a modern and inclusive nation.
Speaking at the event, Mr Zissimos Vergos, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, commended the committee for its role in promoting stability and constructive engagement. He reaffirmed the EU’s support for dialogue, critical reflection, and other tools essential for countering divisive narratives.
Vergos stressed that national unity can only be achieved when the rights of all citizens are upheld, irrespective of their origins. He emphasised the importance of residency rights, equal treatment, and adherence to federal character principles.
“Practices that discriminate based on old grievances undermine the state and hinder progress. Reforms that secure equal rights for all residents can transform Nigeria’s diversity into a powerful asset,” he said.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
