It's funny to recall that just about year 20 years ago, threats of destruction and seizure of Igbo businesses and properties in the north in case Igbos commit acts of violence against northerners in the East or even speak in favour of seperation was a recurring decimal in Northern socio-economic life. Igbos used to fret and beg for peace meeting at any disagreement with Northerners. The political leaders in the north constantly used Igbo investment in the north as a blackmail tool against complaints of injustice.Threats that "Ibos will be suyanized" rented the media space during every period of ethnic tension.

In those days in Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri etc there were textile mills, food and beverage processing companies, paper mills and auto assembling plants. North was wore the ambience of innocence. One could walk in the night without fear of robbery. Land, labour raw materials etc were cheap and people thought it was easier to do business in the North than elsewhere. But religious and sectarian crisis made the region a ticking time bomb. Attacks on Christians and Igbo businesses were increasing.

By the end of the 90s, Calls started coming for Igbos to divest from the north and face the East. With each bloody crisis, calls for divestment grew louder. Northerners believed Igbos loved North more than East and could stand anything meted to them, and so perpetuated crisis after crisis such as Sharia crisis, Jos crisis, Kano Criss in 1995 that lead to the beheading of Akaluka, 2005 cartoon crisis and the rise of boko haram etc

The poorer their youths got the more they blamed and vented their frustrations on prosperous Igbos in their land, instead of their own leaders. Their elites loved it because it kept them off the hook and also gave them some level of control over the youths and their land. Elections became dangerous that Igbos is in the North became scared of voting.

Igbo relocation
After 2011 elections, post election violence swept through North, attacking Christians, businesses, corp members etc It was obvious a greater one was coming in 2015 following the anticipated rematch between Jonathan and Buhari. Igbos did their calculations and unanimously but noiselessly heeded the calls.

Note, Igbos rapidly divested their investment from the north and did not necessarily relocate in mass. Northern Igbos invested heavily in real estate back in the East between 2013 and 2016. Some relocated their families with their investments. Abuja, Asaba Enugu, Awka and Owerri witnessed the most rapid real estate investment within 2013 and now in Nigeria.

Collapse of the North
Igbo divestment happened simultaneously also with the rise of terrorism and the closure of several industrial clusters in the region. Business day estimated that 232 manufacturing companies closed in Kano between 1994 and 2015.

Today, the North Paints a bleak picture. It is
the most terrorised and poorest region in the world. No one sees Igbo investment to bait again. Collapse of businesses comes with unemployment and crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, terrorism. This is indeed what the north is facing. Infact, it is being predicted that state governors in the North will totally lose control of the region to non state actors before 2025. To emphasize my point, the 2022 GDP of Imo state almost equals Kano and Kaduna GDP put together.
It's also worth of Note that Igbos became bolder to agitate and protest Biafra after 2015. Part of the reason is the reduced economic presence in the north. Infact, when arewa youths threatened to evict Igbos over Biafra, Igbos called their bluff, until the rescind and resorted to pleas.

The Rise of Instability in Lagos
Like Kano, Lagos was the commercial capital of the west but being a former national capital that enjoyed incredible federal government attention gave it the economic monopoly over the rest of the country. It has also witnessed migrants from different parts of the country including from the southwest who govern the state. Migrants also include uneducated youths who have swollen up the population of touts, thugs, agberos and area boys. Like the north, Social interactions among various ethnicities in the state has lead to prosperity and envy. Like the North, politicians in Lagos have exploited these frustrations and envy among the youths to stay in power. This has lead to an increasing spate of violence and sectarian clashes in the south west and Lagos in particular.

Since 2015 alone there has been more than 12 bloody clashes between Yoruba and Hausa youths in Lagos. This is beside constant clashes among area boys,motor park union members and occasional gangs like one million boys. Elections have increased ethnic tensions in Lagos since 2011, but like the north, this has degenerated to thuggery, sectarian attacks, arson, and lootings.

During the end SARS protests, this pattern of violence which involved arson, lootings of businesses and clashes played out the most in Lagos, despite the authorities trying to shift blames.
Again, during xenophobic attacks in South Africa, retaliatory lootings happened to perceived ShopRite malls Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja but nowhere in the East. Signifying the increasing fluidity of southwestern socioeconomic atmosphere.

Elections in Lagos have moved from ethnic tensions to ethnic violence since 2015 After threats of violence against the Igbos by the Oba of Lagos, with the attacks non Yoruba voters and businesses especially those belonging to Igbos. Like the North, south west elites like it. They are even alleged to be playing along by weaponizing laws for ethnic Vendetta through controversial demolitions of market and houses.

Calls for Igbo divestment from Lagos has increased since 2015. Like the case of the North, it's getting more intense after each election. For the first time, the mainstream of Igbo business circle in lagos admit Lagos is unsafe for business while a lot of them have made substantial relocation plans( I can confirm this)

Considering that Igbo economic presence in Lagos is the last major link Igbos have with Nigeria, divestment will not only be devastating for Lagos but for the broader idea of one-Nigeria, but it's happening anyway.

Calls for Igbo divestment from Lagos has increased since 2015. Like the case of the North, it's getting more intense after each election. For the first time, the mainstream of Igbo business circle in lagos admit Lagos is unsafe for business while a lot of them have made substantial relocation plans( I can confirm this)

Yet na more flocking to other places we have been seeing since that same 2015.

This matter is not about chest beating. Make una walk the talk

helinues:


Yet na more flocking to other places we have been seeing since that same 2015.

This matter is not about chest beating. Make una walk the talk

Sebi one woman from the SE just invested $20m in a pharmaceutical factory in Ogun state. This was even after all the noise.

Lagos is difficult to leave especially now Tinubu is the president. Expect more federal infrastructure to favour lagos

helinues:


Yet na more flocking to other places we have been seeing since that same 2015.

This matter is not about chest beating. Make una walk the talk

Dis man, you have landed here already to spill crab & troll others in issues not ur biz.

You preach against trolling & still go ahead & do thesame thing to our brothers from the East.

Dis man rest & go look for a job

Ever wondered why no one invests in the SE?

Those guys are a menace everywhere they go from Nigeria to South Africa to Malaysia

Everyone knows that right from time Yorubas have been very accommodating and that has attracted investments which never happens in your region

Lagos/Ogun/Oyo remain the fastest growing investment regions attracting FDIs in millions of dollars annually

We also have leaders that plan for decades ahead and create environments for genuine investors to thrive

Say all you want but Lagos will continue to grow and the last elections have shown who the real bigots are and they are not Yorubas

DatNiggaDaz:


Dis man, you have landed here already to still crab & troll others in issues not ur biz.

What's your definition of trolling? Are we using different English curriculum in Nigeria abi trolling don get new meaning?

Slytiger:

Sebi one woman from the SE just invested $20m in a pharmaceutical factory in Ogun state. This was even after all the noise.

Bro, those who relocated from the region during the madness of ESN and UGM, how many years would it take those people to reconsider returning back home?

They do things without considering the future consequences

helinues:


Yet na more flocking to other places we have been seeing since that same 2015.

This matter is not about chest beating. Make una walk the talk

flocking is different from investment. Relocation of business is a big blow to an economy while migrants are often seen as economic burden.

helinues:


Bro, those who relocated from the region during the madness of ESN and UGM, how many years would it take those people to reconsider returning back home?

They do things without considering the future consequences

can you name businesses that relocated because of agitations?

Noneroone:
flocking is different from investment. Relocation of business is a big blow to an economy while migrants are often seen as economic burden.

Okay, tell us how many businesses/investment have been moved from SE states to other regions since ESN and UGM started their madness

Slytiger:

Sebi one woman from the SE just invested $20m in a pharmaceutical factory in Ogun state. This was even after all the noise.

there is no evidence to support that.

Noneroone:
can you name businesses that relocated because of agitations?

I know of 3 Igbo's personally who shunned the ideas of investing home when the ESN and UGM madness was at peak not to talk of so many gory stories we read online

helinues:


What's your definition of trolling? Are we using different English curriculum in Nigeria abi trolling don get new meaning?

Who are we You & who

Why are you trolling our neigbours from the East.

You cry always to the mods about trolling. I will be here when your nightmares on Nairaland start trolling you while you cry to the Mods

I will be here to remind you

I should only accept your own gazelle garangaja Definition & understanding of trolling to suit your trolling narratives

Dis man rest Look for a job

helinues:


Okay, tell us how many businesses/investment have been moved from SE states to other regions since ESN and UGM started their madness

check the foreign investment statistics of Abia state last year. It is the second largest in the country despite Aba itself being the strong with seperatist agitation. Note that the East enjoys more local investment. The whole world know what's happening in the East is agitation. The west is suffering from sectarian violence and it's increasing and this is what killed North.

DatNiggaDaz:


Why are trolling our neigbours from the East.

You cry always to the mods about trolling. I will be here when your nightmares on Nairaland start trolling you while you cry to the Mods

I will be here too remind you

We should only accept your own gazelle garangaja Definition of trolling to suit your trolling narratives

Dis man rest Look for a job

It's either English words are confusing you or reverse is the case , you are trolling

I only responded to the thread by asking the op some questions.

How come it's only noise we have been reading about some people claiming of relocating back home when the the reality is they move out more from their region as initially claimed

Don't troll or attack my comments unnecessarily, after all you are yet to make your own contributions to the topic

helinues:


I know of 3 Igbo's personally who shunned the ideas of investing home when the ESN and UGM madness was at peak not to talk of so many gory stories we read online

You know. I don't know, nobody knows, and Infact, it doesn't exist.

Lagos is a small fry and will get to a tipping point in a shorter period than it took the north. It took the north 40 years to move from their glorious peak to their vegetative state, it will take Lagos less than 20 years. Slowly and surely it is happening only that some itinerant igbo business men are stubborn

Noneroone:
check the foreign investment statistics of Abia state last year. It is the second largest in the country despite Aba itself being the strong with seperatist agitation. The whole world know what's happening in the East is agitation. The west is suffering from sectarian violence and it's increasing.

Is Abia state the only state in the region, what are the rest doing if they are actually serious about investing at home
.

helinues:


.

what's your point? Don't you read before you reply? You source just confired my point This explains the mass hysteria that is causing ethnic tensions that will soon consume Lagos

helinues:


It's either English words are confusing you or reverse is the case , you are trolling

I only responded to the thread by asking the op some questions.

How come it's only noise we have been reading about some people claiming of relocating back home when the the reality is they move out more from their region as initially claimed

Don't troll or attack my comments unnecessarily, after all you are yet to make your own contributions to the topic

You better Look for something good to do dis man . Why are you trolling our neigbours. Iff they are leaving Lagos or not how does that make your life meaningful

You landed here to troll the Igbos because you have nothing reasonable to do. How does the OP posting a thread about our brothers from the SE leaving Lagos disturb you or warrants your opinion or advice

You came to troll. Doing what you are programmed to do.

You came to attack the OP to dish out lies & propaganda. How do you know that they are mmoving everyday to Lagos. How do you know tgat they are not actually not relocating from Lagos You like to believe your own lies, assertions & propaganda while trolling others abi

Keep trolling until your nightmares show up leaving you tearful running to the Mods

Noneroone:
what's your point? Don't you read before you reply? This explains the mass hysteria that is causing ethnic tensions that will soon consume Lagos

According to op, the talk about Igbo's relocating home have been so loud since 2015 yet there are no signs to show from the states in the region on how they have been attracting not just foreign investors, but local investors too to the region.

The Emzor woman just invested heavily in Ogun state, she is from SE, are you saying no conducive state out of the 5 states in SE for her to have invested such huge amount on? That's if the call about investing home is true

THE COLLAPSE OF THE NORTH IS CAUSED BY MACBAN AND THE UNDESIRABLE GREED OF NW EMIRS AND THE SULTANATE.
WHATSOEVER HAPPENED IN LAGOS IS CAUSED BY BIAFRA INSURGENCY PETER OBI IS BIAFRA UPRISING.

BIAFRA AND MACBAN ARE BOTH ILLEGAL AND SOME CUNNINGLY CALCULATED INSULTS TO UNDERMINE YORUBAS INTELLIGENCE. THE YORUBAS CAN ENDURE.

helinues:


According to op, the talk about Igbo's relocating home have been so loud since 2015 yet there are no signs to show from the states in the region on how they have been attracting not just foreign investors, local investors too to the region.

The Emzor woman just invested heavily in Ogun state, she is from SE, are you saying no conducive state out of the 5 states for her to have invested such huge amount on? That's if the call about investing home is true

saying southeast is not witnessing investment is pure delusion. Even easterners can confirm a lot is happening. Emzor news is propaganda posted on twitter feeds of an APC stalwart. It is not happening and you know it.

DatNiggaDaz:


You better Look for something good to do dis man . Why are you trolling our neigbours. Iff they are leaving Lagos or not how does that make your life meaningful

You landed here to troll the Igbos because you have nothing reasonable to do. How does the OP posting a thread about our brothers from the SE leaving Lagos disturb you or warrants your opinion or advice

You came to troll. Doing what you are programmed to do.

You came to attack the OP dishing out lies & propaganda. How do you know that they are mmoving everyday to Lagos. How do you know tgat they are not actually relocating from Lagis You like to believe your own lies, assertions & propaganda while trolling others abi

Keep trolling until your nightmares show up leaving you tearful running to the Mods

Toh

You know, it remains just one paragraph for this your epistle to make a book.

This plateau guy dey funny. Lagos ceased to be the Capital of Nigeria since 1979 when construction started in Abuja. Lagos was deliberately left to die in 1991 when Babangida moved to Abuja.

The federal government stopped investing in Lagos and relocated all the mda's to Abuja thinking Lagos will die.

It was in the state of comatose in 1999 when Tinubu became governor.

In fact, Obasanjo deliberately relocated every little thing remaining and deprived Lagos of funds.

We knew they wanted to move not only the Capital but also the economy activities of Lagos to Abuja.

They did everything to cripple Lagos but God pass man.

SW refused to relocate the headquarters of their businesses to Abuja eventhough they tried to force them to do so.

They even ordered all business to relocate the headquarters to Abuja including banks but swners no gree.

They even relocated seaport to Abuja and abandoned the airport.

helinues:


Toh

You know, it remains just one paragraph for this your epistle to make a book.

E don hook you for throat abi

You see how you be troll your self

Noneroone:
saying southeast is not witnessing investment is pure delusion. Even easterners can confirm a lot is happening. Emzor news is propaganda posted on twitter feeds of an APC stalwart. It is not happening and you know it.

Anambra state attracted $1m foreign investors in the whole 2023.

Ogun state is attracting local investor with $20m , just one oo.

Btw, how much did you think the Igbo's contribute to the new Lagos GDP?

Noneroone:
check the foreign investment statistics of Abia state last year. It is the second largest in the country despite Aba itself being the strong with seperatist agitation. Note that the East enjoys more local investment. The whole world know what's happening in the East is agitation. The west is suffering from sectarian violence and it's increasing and this is what killed North.

List all the sectarian violence in SW.

forgiveness:


List all the sectarian violence in SW.

go back to the article.

helinues:


Anambra state attracted $1m foreign investors in the whole 2023.

Ogun state is attracting local investors with $20m , just one oo.

Btw, how much did you think the Igbo's contribute to the new Lagos GDP?

it's the way maersk deal was reported. Ogun state lost more investment than it gained last year.

Noneroone:
go back to the article.

Your meaning of sectarian violence is envy of Lagos youth vying to retain political power in Lagos.

So, Lagosians don't have the right to contest for election in their own ancestral land because you came to invest in Lagos, ba?

Did you allow the Hausas and Fulanis that have even collected your land by force and claimed indigeneship to become Governor in your state Plateau? Hypocrite.

Endsars? So, endsars only happened in Lagos. I mean was it Lagos thing?

Was there no arson experienced in other major cities across the country including South East, abi? Bloody liar.

Are you even claiming endsars and arson were carried out only by South Westerners? This guy use your brain walahi.

Who participated in Xenophobic attacks in Lagos?

What triggered it? I am not saying I agree with their actions targeted at South Africans but can you be honest for once.

So, other ethnic groups were not involved in the Xenophobic attacks in Lagos, abi? You bi real liar.

Oh! Hausa clash in 2015. Who started killing someone and tried to hid the murderer? You no get sense?