Popular Nigerian rapper Illbliss has ignited passionate discussions on tribalism after praising the massive economic contributions of Igbo residents to Lagos while condemning divisive ethnic rhetoric.
Speaking on the Outside The Box podcast, the veteran artiste urged Nigerians to embrace unity and stop making remarks that suggest non-indigenes should return to their states of origin.
“The Igbos have given a lot to the Lagos economy in terms of trade and commerce. I wonder how this town will be if you told every Igbo man to leave.”
He expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s persistent ethnic and religious divisions, lamenting that the country continues to struggle with inclusiveness despite years of coexistence.
“We have no business not being accommodating of each other. But sadly, we are still plagued by tribalism, ethnic and religious divides.”
The remarks come amid recurring debates about indigene-settler dynamics, especially in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, where people from various ethnic backgrounds contribute to its bustling economy. The artiste’s call for tolerance has been praised by those advocating for national unity but criticised by others who view it as overlooking historical and indigenous contributions to the city’s development.