The Atunto Foundation, a prominent Yoruba socio-cultural group advocating for regional autonomy and inclusive governance, has issued a stern warning to the National Assembly over a proposed bill that seeks to impose a standardized definition of indigeneship across Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Elder Banji Ayiloge, Dr. Akin Fapohunda, Dr. D.A. Aremu, Adedayo Alao, and other senior figures from both the homeland and diaspora chapters of the foundation, the group described the legislative move as “deeply insensitive” and “a potential trigger for serious socio-political consequences.”
“Indigeneship is not merely a legal or administrative classification,” the statement emphasized. “It is a cultural, ancestral, and communal identity. To legislate it centrally is to erase centuries of tradition and provoke resistance.”
The Foundation stressed that Nigeria’s more than 250 ethnic groups cannot be subjected to a uniform identity framework without undermining historical and cultural foundations. It argued that the bill confuses citizenship—which is legal and procedural—with indigeneship, which is ancestral and rooted in longstanding community ties.
“There are four tiers of identity known globally: visitors, permanent residents, citizens, and indigenes. While the first three can be acquired, indigeneity is inherited and tied to ancestry. Any attempt to standardize this from Abuja risks fueling tensions, local resistance, and perceptions of cultural domination,” the release stated.
The group called for a return to the regional system negotiated at Nigeria’s founding, suggesting that indigenous communities and traditional institutions should define their own identity structures within the framework of cooperative federalism.
“True unity cannot be achieved through imposed uniformity but through justice, autonomy, and mutual respect,” the Atunto Foundation added.
Richard Thomas of Oodua News reports that the Foundation is urging lawmakers to drop the bill and instead promote a decentralized approach that respects Nigeria’s diversity.
Stay tuned to Newspot Nigeria for more updates on this developing story.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
