Plateau’s Lesson for Nigeria: Why the Indigene Question Can No Longer Be Ignored
The recurring violence in Plateau State has often been explained through the familiar lenses of religion, ethnicity, land disputes and political competition. While these factors undoubtedly contribute to the conflict, they do not fully explain why mistrust has endured for decades. Beneath the bloodshed lies a more fundamental question—one that extends far beyond Plateau State itself: who truly belongs? For generations, the indigene-settler dichotomy has shaped access to political office, employment, education, scholarships and other public opportunities in many parts of Nigeria. It has created categories of citizens who, despite being born, raised and contributing to a community for decades, are still regarded as outsiders. Plateau State has become one of the most visible theatres of this national contradiction. Yet it would be both unfair and inaccurate to pretend that Plateau alone bears responsibility for the problem.
Indeed, one of the strongest arguments advanced by many Plateau citizens is that the indigene question is a national phenomenon. A Berom, Anaguta or Afizere person cannot simply relocate to another state and expect to be recognised as an indigene there. The same challenge confronts Igbos in Kano, Yorubas in Kaduna, Hausas in Enugu, Tiv people in Taraba, or Ijaw communities outside their ancestral homelands. Across Nigeria, constitutional citizenship often collides with local definitions of belonging.
That reality does not excuse discrimination wherever it occurs. Rather, it demonstrates that Nigeria has postponed resolving one of the most important questions confronting its federation. The recent court judgment that challenged aspects of Plateau's indigene certificate regime should therefore be viewed not merely as a Plateau affair but as an opportunity for national reflection. Likewise, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive that marginalised communities be included in the Plateau State Executive Council should not be seen simply as a political intervention. It should be recognised as an affirmation that government must reflect the diversity of the people it serves.
If justice demands inclusion on the Plateau, it must equally demand inclusion everywhere else in Nigeria.
The larger issue is that no Nigerian should permanently remain a stranger in the country of his or her citizenship. The Constitution guarantees freedom of movement and residence. It guarantees equality before the law. Yet administrative practices in many parts of the country continue to distinguish between "sons of the soil" and those who have lived, paid taxes and contributed to society for generations.
Such contradictions weaken national unity.
They also carry significant economic and developmental costs. One of the less discussed consequences of the indigene question is the enormous loss of human capital suffered by Plateau State itself. Over the years, many distinguished Plateau sons and daughters who rose to senior positions in the Armed Forces, the civil service, academia, diplomacy and other national institutions found it difficult to establish their political or professional base at home because of identity politics.
Many consequently built their lives and investments elsewhere, where opportunities appeared less constrained by local political considerations. The result was a steady loss of experience, influence, networks and investment that could have accelerated Plateau's development. Every society benefits when its accomplished citizens feel welcomed, respected and encouraged to contribute to their homeland. Conversely, when talented individuals feel excluded, the entire society pays the price. This lesson extends beyond Plateau. Across Nigeria, communities lose valuable human resources whenever capable citizens conclude that their future lies elsewhere because they are not regarded as "true indigenes." No state can afford such a loss, especially at a time when Nigeria urgently needs every available talent to drive economic growth, improve governance and strengthen national cohesion.
The answer, however, is not to abolish cultural identities or traditional heritage. Nigeria's diversity remains one of its greatest strengths. Every ethnic nationality has the right to preserve its history, language and customs. But cultural identity should never become a basis for denying citizens equal access to opportunities guaranteed by the Constitution. The federal government should seize the momentum created by developments in Plateau State to initiate a comprehensive national conversation on indigeneity and citizenship. This is no longer merely a Plateau issue. It is a Nigerian issue.
The country needs clear constitutional, legislative and administrative reforms that protect legitimate cultural identities while ensuring that no citizen is permanently denied equal rights because of ancestry.
Such reforms will not be easy. They will require consultations with state governments, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and constitutional experts. Yet postponing the debate only allows old grievances to deepen and new conflicts to emerge. Nigeria cannot continue to proclaim unity while institutionalising distinctions among its own citizens. Plateau State, despite its painful history, now presents an opportunity. The recent judicial pronouncements and efforts towards broader inclusion could become the starting point for resolving a question that has haunted Nigeria since independence.
If handled wisely, Plateau's experience can become a model for national reform rather than merely another chapter in the country's long history of communal conflict.
Ultimately, the debate is not about Berom, Anaguta, Hausa, Fulani, Igbo, Yoruba or any other ethnic group. It is about the meaning of Nigerian citizenship.
The true measure of our democracy is not how comfortably the majority lives, but whether every citizen, regardless of ancestry, enjoys equal dignity, equal opportunity and equal protection under the law. Nigeria has delayed this conversation for too long. The time has come to settle the indigene question once and for all not only for Plateau State, but for the Federal Republic itself.
Dr. Salim is the Chairman of Farmers and Herders Initiative for Peace and Development fhipd who resides in Jos.
