Resurgent secessionist movements across Nigeria continue to test national cohesion. From the Southeast to the North, calls for self-determination reflect long-standing grievances over identity, governance, and equity.
Secessionist agitations have resurfaced in Nigeria, driven by ethnic identity, political exclusion, and regional discontent. From the call for Biafra to renewed talks of an Oduduwa Republic, the push for breakaway nations reflects deep-seated grievances that continue to shape Nigeria’s unity debate.
1. Biafra Republic
The Biafra movement remains the most prominent. Led by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), it revives the memory of the 1967–1970 civil war. IPOB and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) claim the Igbo people face political and economic marginalisation.
2. Oduduwa Republic
The Oduduwa Republic movement, championed by Ilana Omo Oodua, seeks Yoruba self-determination. Supporters cite insecurity and unequal representation, calling for a referendum on independence.
3. Niger Delta Republic
In the oil-rich South-South, calls for a Niger Delta Republic stem from frustration over environmental neglect and poor development. Some groups demand full control of local resources.
4. Arewa Republic
In the North, the Arewa Republic exists mostly in fringe discourse. The idea gained attention after the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum’s 2017 ultimatum to Igbos, reflecting broader socio-political frustration despite condemnation from northern leaders.