.jpg)
A Nigerian writer, Khaleed Yazeed, has argued that historical trade relations between the Igbo and Hausa peoples provide a basis for renewed solidarity, following the Indigenous People of Biafra's (IPOB) declaration of brotherhood with Northern ethnic nationalities.
In an article titled “Hausa Are Our Brothers: The Historical Truth Behind the Reclaimed Fraternity and the Demand for Self-Determination,” Yazeed examined historical, economic and political developments that he said shaped relations between the two groups over several centuries.
The article follows IPOB's recent statement welcoming a reported solidarity declaration by Northern youths and the Northern Nigeria Rescue Movement (NNRM), while reiterating its support for self-determination and a referendum.
According to Yazeed, the relationship between the Igbo and Hausa should not be defined solely by contemporary ethnic tensions, arguing that pre-colonial trade networks connected communities across what is now Northern and Southern Nigeria.
Writer Highlights Ancient Trade Networks
Yazeed cited archaeological discoveries at Igbo-Ukwu, which date to approximately the eighth to tenth centuries AD, as evidence of the sophistication of early Igbo society and its participation in wider commercial networks.
He also discussed the Kingdom of Nri and the historical Hausa city-states, including Kano, Katsina, Zaria and Gobir, arguing that commerce and regional interactions provided opportunities for cooperation between communities.
The writer highlighted the roles of Awka blacksmiths and salt-producing communities in present-day Ebonyi State, particularly Uburu and Okposi, in historical trade.
He maintained that the exchange of agricultural tools, salt and other commodities helped establish economic relationships between southern and northern communities before colonial rule.
However, the article's broader claims about the precise scale and continuity of these exchanges were not independently verified for this report.
Article Examines the 1804 Jihad
The writer identified the 1804 jihad led by Usman dan Fodio as a major turning point in the political history of Hausaland.
He argued that the transformation of the traditional Hausa ruling structures and the emergence of the Sokoto Caliphate changed the political relationships that had existed among communities in the region.
Yazeed also examined the British conquest of the Sokoto Caliphate in 1903, the destruction of the Aro Confederacy around the same period, and the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates.
According to his analysis, these developments contributed to changes in regional political relationships and the structures through which different communities interacted.
The article presents these events as part of a wider explanation for contemporary ethnic tensions, although its interpretation of their causes and consequences remains the author's argument.
Writer Links IPOB's Position to Self-Determination
Yazeed described IPOB's declaration that the Hausa are its brothers as an attempt to distinguish ordinary citizens from the political conflicts and rivalries that have shaped Nigeria's history.
He argued that support for Biafran self-determination does not necessarily imply hostility towards the Hausa or other ethnic nationalities.
The writer also maintained that the demand for a referendum should be understood within the broader debate over political autonomy, regional governance and the right of communities to determine their future.
His position aligns with IPOB's recent public messaging, in which the organisation has called for solidarity among ethnic groups while maintaining its demand for self-determination.
Ethnic Relations and Nigeria's Political Future
The article concludes that historical economic connections between the Igbo and Hausa challenge the idea that the two populations have always been natural enemies.
Yazeed called for a reassessment of narratives that portray ethnic groups as permanently opposed to one another, arguing that political and economic circumstances have played important roles in shaping intergroup relations.
He further suggested that greater recognition of shared history could encourage cooperation among communities seeking justice, political representation and greater control over their affairs.
The debate comes amid renewed public discussion about IPOB's relationship with Northern communities and the future of Nigeria's political structure.
Khaleed Yazeed is identified in the article as a writer and founder of the Wakilin Yamma Youth Development Network in Katsina State.