In the face of the numerous challenges currently befuddling Nigeria, ranging from ethnic tensions and secessionists agitations, to militancy, insurgency and economic challenges, a Professor of History in the University of Ibadan has traced the root cause of all these crises to a loss in Nigeria’s sense of History.

Making this observation during an exclusive interview with CEOAfrica on its online television programme, ‘Community Today’, the Head of Department of History, University of Ibadan, Professor CBN Ogbogbo noted that the Nation has ignored its history and has failed to learn from the mistakes of its past in order to achieve a worthy present and a better future.

The Professor of History said “The crises we have as a people is that we have lost our sense of history. We have forgotten where we came from and because we cannot trace our past as a people, we cannot hold the present together. As a country, we require the historical compass to guide us to know where we are coming from, realise where we are and then determine where we go to next.

“If you have a sense of history, you will be able to learn from your mistakes, you’ll understand where you are coming from. A good number of those calling for a divided Nigeria don’t understand where we are coming from. All the strong voices calling for the disintegration of the country are virtually youths. Those saying calm down are the older generations who studied and understand history. So, we need to cultivate a deep sense of history to tackle the prevailing challenges,” the Professor explained

Head of History Department, University of Ibadan, Prof CBN Ogbogbo (L) with Mistura Salaudeen (R) during the Interview

Effect of Plurality to Nigeria’s Development

Speaking about the country’s ethnic diversity, Professor Ogbogbo affirmed that Nigeria’s plurality is important to its development, adding that a collaboration of ideas from different backgrounds and cordial interactions among different groups of people will quicken the country’s development. He said “I have argued in some of my writings that all great centres of civilisation are necessarily plural.

“For a society to grow, it must be able to open its doors to other societies. Once you realise that you have to accept foreigners, it makes it easier for development to seep in in terms of ideas and capital. The strength of the United States today is their ability to accommodate all types of people who in turn contribute their quota to its development. The difference between Nigeria and America is that Americans have a sense and knowledge of their history. So they know who they are. Do we know who we are in Nigeria?” asked the Professor.

Agitations are Healthy for Nigeria  

Professor Ogbogbo who is also the President of the Historical Society of Nigeria, further argued against the notion that Nigeria’s diversity is instrumental to ethnic tensions and secessionists’ agitations currently enveloping the nation, stating that plurality in a society has its attendant challenges. Acknowledging that the country’s development is hinged on its diversity, the Professor however stated that ethnic agitations are in the best interest of the country, adding that the clamour will force the country back to the drawing board to address those issues.

“The cacophony of voices of complaints that are rising here and there is healthy for our country. People who are uncomfortable should say they are uncomfortable so that their problems can be addressed. Every plural society has its challenges. Ours is coming to the fore. So we require statesmanship to create an enabling environment to harness these grievances together and find solutions to them. This is part of the nation building process,” Professor Ogbogbo stated.

Prof Ogbogbo seated Left, flanked by Journalists present at the Interview

Reacting to the possibility of the present Biafran agitation degenerating into another Civil War, Professor Ogbogbo assured that the likelihood of having a Civil War born form the secessionist call is minimal since the country is in a democratic dispensation where there is freedom of expression. He explained “The hallmark of democracy is that we should be able to express ourselves. Expression of grievance is guaranteed by the constitution. But when you try to push them under the carpet without addressing those issues, what you find is that call for referendum.”

Noting that ethnic agitations mostly result from elite discontents and disagreements, Professor Ogbogbo noted that best way for the Nigerian government to uproot these ethnic clashes and intolerance is to eliminate the issues that can be used to mobilise ethnic sentiments. “What we are saying now is that is it possible for the Government to create policies that will make it difficult for people to mobilise ethnic sentiments? Can they make it possible for every group to be well represented to create a sense of belonging?” the Professor queried.

Involvement of Academics in National Crises

Speaking about the contribution of scholars, intellectuals and researchers to solving crises in the country, Professor Ogbogbo explained that the academics have for many years through their researches, proffered solutions and presented ideas that can create lasting solutions for the country’s challenges. He however lamented that the government has not been listening to recommendations by scholars on various issues affecting the country.

The Professor explained that all the numerous efforts by academics to get the government to implements recommendations made in scholarly researches have so far proved abortive. He said “Before the Jos crisis started, we had a conference in Jos on pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial conflicts in Nigeria. We looked at all the gamut of conflicts and we produced a book on it. In it you have a lot of recommendations. However, nothing has happened, nobody is reading it. We produced a volume of journals focusing on election challenges and their solutions but still, nothing has changed.

“In 2014, we met in Abuja to look at the pains and gains of various zones in the Nigerian project and how we can forge forward. From it, we produced a book called ‘The House that Luggard Built’. But are our leaders reading? What else can we do as a group of intellectuals to get the government to take our advice? Should we carry guns? There is nothing that is happening in Nigeria today that we have not forewarned. Major researches are going on but they end up on bookshelves,” the Professor stated.

Way Forward

Professor Ogbogbo however stated that the way forward for Nigeria is to reconfigure the foundation of the country and create an enabling environment where everyone can harness their potentials. “We have to create a political environment where everyone can blossom. Every part of Nigeria is blessed. At the zonal level, our capacities are immense. For us to go back and look inwards, we must remove these distractions that we have. Once we fix our structure properly, every other thing will fall into place,” assured the Professor.