Nigeria is a multi-ethnic nation with diverse ethnicities. Many foreigners, and even Nigerians belonging to majority ethnic groups, have little to no knowledge of the various minority ethnic groups that proliferate the nation. What comes to mind when they think of Nigeria is that there are only the Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa ethnicities. This view is sustained because the Nigerian constitution recognises only those three ethnic groups as the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Every other ethnic group is treated as a minority ethnic group.

The concept of a minority ethnic group is quite faulty in the Nigerian context. Some ethnicities that are deemed to be minorities have well over 2 million people (a minority ethnic group in the real sense should have a population of 1 million or less). However, within the Nigerian context, if you are not Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa, you are a minority. The big three (WaZoBia) have always been at the centre of Nigerian politics and history. Only a few enlightened persons know much about Nigeria's other 250+ ethnic groups. Even those who know them have various misconceptions about the ethnicities. The situation is so bad that many Yorubas, Hausas, Igbos and even those from minority groups, assume that the minorities in the South are all Igboid or Igbo sub-groups, while those in the North are all Hausas or Hausa sub-groups.

This thread will attempt to state some facts about Nigeria's minority groups as a means of educating Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike. My focus will be on the minority groups in the South-South geo-political region and parts of the middle-belt region of Nigeria (both regions were created exclusively for minorities). There are also many minorities in Nigeria's North but they deserve another thread entirely.


1. The Urhobo ethnic group occupy Delta Central/South senatorial districts and is the most dominant ethnic group in Delta State. They share the same culture and worldview with the Isoko of Delta State (both are regarded as one group by many persons).

2. Ijaw is regarded by many as the 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria with Urhobo coming as 5th (contested claims). Efik-Ibibio also claims to the be the 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria. The Tiv are also regarded by some as the 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria. No proper and current census has been done to validate the many population claims.

3. Itsekiri is a Yoruboid ethnic group whose ancestors were migrant fishermen of Ijebu, Ikale and Ilaje sub-groups of the Yorubas. However, their monarchy is of Bini descent and this created a hybrid culture with elements from Yoruba, Bini and their neighbours, Urhobo and Ijaw.

4. The first person to get a university degree in Nigeria was an Itsekiri king. His name was Dom Domingos (Atuwatse I). He graduated from Coimbra University, Portugal, in 1611. He also married a Portuguese woman. The Itsekiris are among the first group to make contact with the western world and due to their hospitality and warmness, that early contact favoured them quite well.

5. There are more than 20 ethnic groups in Cross River Central and North that are not related to Efik. Many of these ethnic groups speak languages that are regarded as Bantoid (from Bantu). Some of them are Ejagham (Ekoid), Boki, Bekwarra, Bette-Bendi, Ikom, Leggbo, etc.

6. The ethnic groups in Cross River South and Akwa Ibom form a cluster known as the Akwa-Cross cluster. All of the languages in the cluster are related and mutually intelligible to speakers. However, they are all regarded as separate ethnicities. Efik is spoken in Cross River South (Calabar and environs), Ibibio is the largest ethnicity in this cluster and it is spoken in Akwa Ibom (Uyo and environs), Anaang is spoken in Ikot Ekpene and environs, Oron (Oro) is spoken in Oron town and environs, while Ekid (Eket) is spoken in Eket, Esit Eket and environs.

7. The Andoni ethnic group of Rivers and Akwa Ibom is related to both the Ijaw and the Ibeno (Ibibioid) ethnic groups. Andoni people occupy the coastal areas of Rivers (Andoni LGA) and Akwa Ibom States (Eastern Obolo LGA).

8. The Isoko ethnicity of Delta State used to be regarded as Eastern Urhobo until 1958 when James Otobo moved a motion for a separate Isoko province. This marked the beginning of a separate Isoko political identity. Isokos share the same culture and worldviews with Urhobos but they speak a different dialect that many Urhobos cannot understand.

9. The Ogoni ethnic group of Rivers State occupy 4 LGAs (Tai, Eleme, Khana and Gokana). They all speak different dialects of Ogoni language. Eleme in particular claims to be a different ethnicity from the Ogoni.

10. The Idoma people of Benue State trace their history to the Kwararafa confederation of the Junkun, in modern day Taraba State. They have historical and cultural ties with the Igala.

11. The Baruba people of Kwara State are split into Nigeria and Benin Republic. They are a very reserved people and have strong Islamic values.

12. The Gbagyi people are the most populated ethnicity indigenous to Abuja, Nigeria's Federal Capital. They also occupy Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarrawa and Niger States. They are called Gwari by the Hausa-Fulani people. Nigeria's former military ruler, Gen. Babangida is a Gbagyi man.

13. The Nupe people occupy Kwara and Niger States. They are predominantly Muslims and have an emirate known as Bida Emirate. Nupe people are reserved, agrarian and peaceful.

14. Islam was introduced to the Etsako people (Auchi and environs) of Edo State by the Nupe people.

15. Epie-Atissa (Yenagoa) people, Engenni (Rivers), Degema (Rivers), Urhobo-Isoko (Delta), Esan, Bini, Etsako, Afenmai, and others in Edo State are all Edoid groups. Their ancestry can be traced to Benin and they speak loosely related and mutually unintelligible languages. They are all regarded as different ethnicities, with the exception of Epie-Atissa which has joined the Ijaw confederation.

16. The Anioma people of Delta State (Delta North- Asaba and environs) speak related Igboid languages. Anioma is an acronym for Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika, and Oshimili (subgroups comprising what is regarded as Delta Igbo). However, these groups are constitutionally acknowledged as different ethnicities and they speak different dialects, apart from the Enuani (Aniocha and Oshimili) who speak a dialect of Igbo very close to Onitsha dialect.

17. Ikwerre, Ekpeye and Ogba (Akalaka brothers) speak loosely related Igboid languages. They trace their history to Benin like the Edoid groups. Ikwerre is the dominant ethnic group in Rivers State.

18. There is no language known as "Ijaw" language. Ijaw is an ethnic marker for the confederation of ethnicities that chose to identify as Ijaw. The main language many of the core Ijaw people speak is called Izon, with Kolukoma-Opukuma regarded as the standard written dialect. Other languages spoken by the Ijaws include Nembe, Ogbia (a Cross River Language), Epie-Atissa (Edoid language), Kalabari, Okrika, Nkoroo, Defaka, etc. Nigeria's former president, Goodluck Jonathan, speaks Ogbia, while his wife, Patience Jonathan, speaks Okrika.

19. The standard variety of Urhobo is Agbarho dialect while that of Isoko is Uzere dialect. Other dialects in the Urhobo-Isoko cluster include Uvwie, Okpe, and Erhowa.

20. Itsekiri has no dialects. The language is the same in all Itsekiri locales. It is one of the few languages in Nigeria with this feature.

21. The Tiv (Benue), Junkun (Taraba), and Kuteb (Taraba) people were once together in a federation known as the Wukari Federation. The fall of this Federation marked the outwards migration of the constituent groups, especially the Tiv.

22. The Ebira people of Kogi State trace their history to the Kwararafa Federation, the Junkun successor to the Wukari Federation. They are predominantly Muslims. They occupy Okene and its environs.

23. The Igala people of Kogi State have historical and cultural ties with the Igbo people but they speak a Yoruboid language. A few scholars claim that the Igalas migrated from Umueri. Other scholars claim that Igalas are a hybrid of Idoma and Yoruba.

24. There are over twenty ethnic groups in Plateau State. Many of them have shared beliefs, religion and world view. Among them are the Berom (Jos and environs), Tarok, Afizere, Kofyar, Jarawa, among others. They speak loosely related languages and many use Hausa for inter-ethnic communication. Christianity is the dominant religion among the minorities in Plateau State.

25. There are over twenty ethnic groups in Kaduna State. Many of them have a largely Christian heritage and are dominant in Southern Kaduna. Among them are Gbagyi, Gwong, Atuku, Bajju, Atyab, Gure and Ninkyop. Many of the Southern Kaduna people can speak and understand Hausa.

26. The Olukumi people of Delta State are Yoruboid and they are surrounded on all sides by the Delta Igbos (Aniochas). Most of them are coordinate speakers of Igbo and Olukumi (a Yoruboid language). They are the micro-minorities of Delta State and their language is faced with extinction.

27. There is no ethnic group known as "Edo". Edo is a word that describes a variety of ethnic groups with a common origin although many use it to refer to the Bini people. Edo is actually the name of a slave which an Oba appropriated to his empire after the slave saved his life. The ethnic groups that are described as Edoid have only little in common. Their languages are not mutually intelligible and their cultural beliefs are quite distinct. The ethnic group occupying Benin City is the Bini people.

28. The Ikas and Ukwuanis of Delta State trace their origin to modern day Edo. According to their myths, their ancestors were migrants from Benin. However, they speak Igboid languages, not Edoid languages.

29. Some minority languages are taught at the primary, secondary and university levels in Nigeria. The languages that are taught at the university level include: Urhobo (Delta State University, Abraka), Izon (Niger Delta University, Amassoma and University of Port Harcourt, Choba), Ikwerre (University of Port Harcourt, Choba), Bini (University of Benin), and Efik-Ibibio (University of Calabar and University of Uyo). Many others are taught at the College of Education level.

30. All of Nigeria's commercial crude deposits are within the territories of minority ethnic groups in the South-South region of Nigeria. The highest producers of the nation's crude include the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo-Isoko, Eket, Oron, Ikwerre, Ekpeye, Ogba and Ukwuani. Small quantities of crude oil can also found in Ondo (Yoruba), Abia (Ukwa East & West -Igbo) and Imo (Egbema & Oguta). Lagos State (Yoruba) has recently joined the league of oil producing states in Nigeria and oil has been discovered in the Lake Chad Basin (Kanuri) of North Eastern Nigeria.

Bonus: Apart from crude oil, Nigeria's minorities are blessed with intellectuals (Urhobo, for instance, is said to have one of the highest concentration of Professors, Medical Doctors and Lawyers in Nigeria), mineral resources (Urhobo also has the highest gas deposits in Nigeria, gold is present in Plateau State), rich culture (the Ijaws and Itsekiris have various boat regattas and amazing festivals), historical monarchies (the Bini monarchy, the Itsekiri monarchy, the Calabar (Efik) monarchy, the Igala monarchy, the Nupe monarchy, the Jos monarchy, etc), tourist attractions (Calabar Carnival, Port Harcourt Book Festival, Ox-Bow Lake in Bayelsa, Oba of Benin's Palace, Confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue at Lokoja, etc) and many other natural and human resources.



These are only some of the interesting facts about Nigeria's various minority ethnic groups. Do you know of other interesting facts? Kindly comment and keep the thread moving. You may also comment if you spot any error(s) or misconception(s).


- Written by Iroro Orhero (literarymathy[at]gmail.com).
- Do not copy without acknowledging the writer and/or the source.

Pictures representing some of Nigeria's minority ethnic groups

1. Delta Minorities


2. Ethnic Map of Some SS groups, excluding Yoruba and Igbo
[img]http://tracingafricanroots.files./2016/09/img_1194.png?w=869[/img]

3. Ethnic Groups in Benue State


4. Ethnic Groups in Cross River State


5. Map showing the position of Ebira People in Kogi State

Ccc lalasticlala seun

nice one..

space booked, will comment later.

lalasticlala and seun push to the promise land.

fratermathy:
Pictures representing some of Nigeria's minority ethnic groups

2. Ethnic Map of Some SS groups, excluding Yoruba and Igbo
[img]http://tracingafricanroots.files./2016/09/img_1194.png?w=869[/img]

CC: Lalasticlala

itsekiris are not surrounded by ijaw all through. this map is not correct, and also itsekiri is not landlocked which this image portray.

Efewestern:


itsekiris are not surrounded by ijaw all through. this map is not correct, and also itsekiri is not landlocked which this image portray.

Well... I got the map on the internet. It was the best one to depict what I wanted.

It's good you've spotted the issue with it. Everyone can take note now. Thanks.

Andoni(Obolo, Idoni apu) is an Ijaw clan and not a separate ethnic nationality

Tarakiri and Andoni. Opu-Okun was the ancestor of the Opukuma, while Kala-Okun was the ancestor of the Kolokuma, both were children of Ujo by the same mother. Tara a younger child of Ujo was the ancestor of the Tarakiri, while Ayama the son of Tara was the ancestor of the Andoni in eastern Ijo,.The Andoni (ruler known as the Andoni-Oru) town of Asarama was founded by Asara or Assa an ancient ancestor descendant of Ayama

nengibo:
Andoni(Obolo, Idoni apu) is an Ijaw clan and not a separate ethnic nationality

Tarakiri and Andoni. Opu-Okun was the ancestor of the Opukuma, while Kala-Okun was the ancestor of the Kolokuma, both were children of Ujo by the same mother. Tara a younger child of Ujo was the ancestor of the Tarakiri, while Ayama the son of Tara was the ancestor of the Andoni in eastern Ijo,.The Andoni (ruler known as the Andoni-Oru) town of Asarama was founded by Asara or Assa an ancient ancestor descendant of Ayama

I came across this claim as well. Some Andoni people do consider themselves as a distinct ethnic group. Thanks all the same for pointing this out.

fratermathy:


Well... I got the map on the internet. It was the best one to depict what I wanted.

It's good you've spotted the issue with it. Everyone can take note now. Thanks.

look at how they map ilaje under izon, na wa o. am very sure that this map was drawn by an ijaw man who thinks Everywhere in ND belongs to them.

Cc: onuwaje, wirinet.

nice thread, and also the part you said agharo was the standard variety of urhobo, l don't agree totally with that, agbon I think is more accepted generally than agbaro.

agbon I mean (ovorie, eku etc)

Efewestern:


look at how they map ilaje under izon, na wa o. am very sure that this map was drawn by an ijaw man who thinks Everywhere in ND belongs to them.

Cc: onuwaje, wirinet.

nice thread, and also the part you said agharo was the standard variety of urhobo, l don't agree totally with that, agbon I think is more accepted generally than agbaro.

agbon I mean (ovorie, eku etc)

Agbon and Agbarho dialects are basically the same. No noticeable differences. Besides, Agbarho is the written variety of Urhobo.

fratermathy:


Agbon and Agbarho dialects are basically the same. No noticeable differences. Besides, Agbarho is the written variety of Urhobo.

There is a little difference, the way they tune their dialects is different from agbon. this is just my little observation..

and yes agbarho is the written standard,

where is seun and lalasticlala self.

fratermathy:


I came across this claim as well. Some Andoni people do consider themselves as a distinct ethnic group. Thanks all the same for pointing this out.

Its not a claim, The Obolos are one of the Ijaw clans that can trace their ancestry directly to the founding fathers, Identify with all Ijaw organizations Politically & culturally.

Nigeria minorities are recalcitrant in nature. They hate oppression. For example Chief Oshue of Urhobo ethnic minority was the first Nigerian to protest against the British tax govt and declared a separate Republic nation inside Colonial Nigeria.
In July 1927 he converged a meeting of urhobo, isoko, ukwuani, Ijaw and itsekiri and passed some resolutions that includes:
1) Trade embargo on export to Britain.
2) Abolition of colonial judicial and administrative institutions.
3) Declaration of warri province as an independent republic of free nations.
Oshue was appointed head of government and was addressed as excellency. He was arrested by the Britain's and sentenced to hard labour but his revolution spread across the Niger to igbo land which led to the famous Aba women riot of 1929.
Another recalcitrant man that declared a Republic inside independent Nigeria was Isaac Adaka Boro of Ijaw ethnic minority in 1966 when he battled the Nigeria govt for 12 days. This was before the igbos declared their Biafra Republic in 1967.

Nigeria is so blessed. Urhobo people are nice people but wayo full three head. All in all I love urhobo

Urhobo wadoo!!!!! Urhobo oma

aljharem:
Nigeria is so blessed. Urhobo people are nice people but wayo full three head. All in all I love urhobo

Urhobo wadoo!!!!! Urhobo oma

i will make you sweet delta ibo jellof ricing ok, with plenty curry and weed ok

nengibo:

Its not a claim, The Obolos are one of the Ijaw clans that can trace their ancestry directly to the founding fathers, Identify with all Ijaw organizations Politically & culturally.

Andoni people are not Ijaws even though they were influenced heavily by the Ijaw. They're also influenced by Ibibio and Ibo depending on which part of Andoni you find yourself.

BTW, minorities are not calculated based on how many million strong they are. You have to compare their population to the majority to know why they're called minorities. Even if a tribe has 100 million people and another tribe has 1 billion, the former is a minority.

Efewestern:


look at how they map ilaje under izon, na wa o. am very sure that this map was drawn by an ijaw man who thinks Everywhere in ND belongs to them.

Cc: onuwaje, wirinet.

nice thread, and also the part you said agharo was the standard variety of urhobo, l don't agree totally with that, agbon I think is more accepted generally than agbaro.

agbon I mean (ovorie, eku etc)

Yea u re correct

The Itsekiris are bordered by the Edo and Ilajes towards the north
Urhobo to the east and ijaws to the south


The atlantic bothers to the west


That map is not correct and i see it as an eye measurement map lol..


Nice write up from.the OP

hammer6:


U this stubborn Urhobo he-goat, how many times have i told u that, u cannot draw that map of Biafra without Igbos.

Just look at all the groups ur trying to map and u see the way igbo population is scattered everywhere around?

It is hard to have a SS without Igbo.They are all around, that is their region and domain. They will not abandon it and enter Ocean to pls fratermathy.

What is wrong with you guys?

People like you make these Guys think Igbos are trouble makers,even If you have a correction to make,you can do it without Insults

Efewestern:


look at how they map ilaje under izon, na wa o. am very sure that this map was drawn by an ijaw man who thinks Everywhere in ND belongs to them.

Cc: onuwaje, wirinet.

nice thread, and also the part you said agharo was the standard variety of urhobo, l don't agree totally with that, agbon I think is more accepted generally than agbaro.

agbon I mean (ovorie, eku etc)

the agbarho dialect is the more accepted one.. though agbon and agbarho dialect are very alike.. u can't even see the difference

agadez007:
What is wrong with you guys?

People like you make these Guys think Igbos are trouble makers,even If you have a correction to make,you can do it without Insults

Dey there make pant dey wear u?

Fratermathy dey ask permission before misbehaving?

onuwaje:


Yea u re correct

The Itsekiris are bordered by the Edo and Ilajes towards the north
Urhobo to the east and ijaws to the south


The atlantic bothers to the west


That map is not correct and i see it as an eye measurement map lol..


Nice write up from.the OP

Itsekiri and Ijaw land are intertwined. Dat is y dey clash. U cannot separate Itsekiri from Ijaw.

hammer6:


Itsekiri and Ijaw land are intertwined. Dat is y dey clash. U cannot separate Itsekiri from Ijaw.

It seems you derive joy from posting false nonsense.


@Efewestern, you are correct, the map is distorted in many parts.

One more thing i want to add is dat, i am no longer against NigerDelta Republic.

Those in favour of it should not expect it to be automatic becos of the diverse groups with nothing in common.

Start campaigning and lobbying these group to agree to a NigerDelta Rep. U can all live on top water.

Biafra with all my Igboid people is more than enough for me.

Ebira, Idoma and Igala are still welcomed to Biafra if they would prefer it to middle-belt. If not, goodluck to dem too.

HarryDuce:
It seems you derive joy from posting false nonsense.


@Efewestern, you are correct, the map is distorted in many parts.

How do u separate Itsekiri and Ijaw land?

Are u on drugs? Their land is mixed with Ijaw and Ijaw still continues all the way in Ondo, Lagos upto Ghana.

hammer6:


How do u separate Itsekiri and Ijaw land?

Are u on drugs? There land is mixed with Ijaw still all the way in Ondo, Lagos upto Ghana.

And you know this how? Enlighten us.

agadez007:
What is wrong with you guys?

People like you make these Guys think Igbos are trouble makers,even If you have a correction to make,you can do it without Insults

hun what's the difference between igbo and yoruba jollof rice?

.

Stupid post.

hammer6:


How do u separate Itsekiri and Ijaw land?

Are u on drugs? There land is mixed with Ijaw still all the way in Ondo, Lagos upto Ghana.

you are not an ijaw man, you just one come here they cause wahala.

how is itsekiri land intertwined with ijaw land? , are you high?, itsekiri share boundary with ijaw same way she shares boundary with ilaje and urhobo.

itsekiri land belongs to itsekiri people.. don't come here and write rubbish. I don't support nonsense.

I faulted the earlier map because itsekiri land and ilaje land were map under izon, why I think was wrong.