The Organic Restructuring of Nigeria, By Majeed Dahiru

The notion that Nigeria's ethnic diversity is the root cause of its disunity is a fallacy, according to Majeed Dahiru. He contends that this narrative, often perpetuated by colonial history, lacks historical evidence and contradicts common sense. Dahiru argues that diversity should be understood as racial mix, not merely ethnic composition within a broad racial category.

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The Nigerian populace are also more of “indigenes” of these micro-ethnic nationalities than “citizens” of Nigeria.

Nigeria, being a mono-racial (black) country, does not qualify as diverse in the same way as racially mixed nations like the United States or South Africa. Instead, Dahiru draws parallels with mono-racial countries such as China and the historical United Kingdom. Like China, which has numerous ethnic identifications within its broad Mongoloid classification, Nigeria comprises various ethnic groups that, according to the author, evolve from a common source with similarities in culture, language, and ancestral history.

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This notion of Nigeria being an amalgam of cultural incompatibles that has become an entrenched narrative that justifies our disunity is a fallacy that is not supported by any shred of historical evidence, and it actually goes contrary to the logic of common sense.

Therefore, Nigeria is best described as a plural, rather than a diverse, country. Dahiru suggests that the path to national unity and economic development lies in the systematic assimilation and integration of Nigerians from different backgrounds into geo-economic zones. This process, he believes, would lead to an organic restructuring of the Nigerian federation, transforming commercial centers like Aba and Onitsha into hubs for Nigerian entrepreneurs and making industries like cattle breeding a national endeavor rather than an ethnic one.

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Diversity is a measure of racial mix within a given geographic space and NOT the ethnic composition within a broad racial categorisation.

The author emphasizes that unity, social cohesion, and structural stability are prerequisites for Nigeria's economic growth. He asserts that a Nigerian nation must exist before any progress can be achieved, contrasting the current situation where localized ethnic interests often supersede the collective good. Nigerians, he notes, are more often identified as 'indigenes' of their micro-ethnic nationalities than as 'citizens' of Nigeria.

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Therefore, a mono racial (black) country such Nigeria does NOT qualify to be regarded as a diverse country on account of ethnic differences.