The Growing Divide: Fulanization of Northern Nigeria and the Silent Struggles of the Hausa People

 

Northern Nigeria, a vast region with a complex ethnic tapestry, is witnessing a political shift that may have lasting implications for its future. The 19 states of the North, which are home to millions of people, are governed by an array of ethnicities. However, one striking pattern emerges when we examine the ethnic backgrounds of the current governors: 10 of these governors are Fulani, while the remaining 9 represent various ethnic groups, ranging from the Tiv and Kanuri to the Ebira and Mwanghavul.

This concentration of Fulani leadership in the North raises important questions about political power, ethnic representation, and the future of the Hausa people, who constitute the largest ethnic group in the region. Despite their population of over 66 million—more than 55% of the entire Northern Nigerian populace—the Hausa people have not a single representative among the region’s governors.

Instead, it is the Fulanis, who number just over 13 million (barely 11% of the Northern population), that seem to dominate the political landscape of the North. From Adamawa to Zamfara, Fulanis have taken the reins, ruling states traditionally home to diverse ethnic groups, including the Hausa. These governors, many of whom hold the same ethnic background, have risen to power and consolidated control over not just the political but also the cultural landscape of the region.

This political shift raises serious concerns about the marginalization of the Hausa ethnic group, traditionally seen as the bedrock of Northern Nigeria. It is the Hausa language, culture, and history that have shaped the region for centuries, yet today, the political leadership of these people is no longer in their own hands. Instead, the Hausa are increasingly sidelined, relegated to the role of passive observers and subordinates under the leadership of the Fulani elite.

The Hausa in a Silent Struggle for Leadership

The implications of this political exclusion are profound. Historically, the Hausa people have been a significant force in the political, cultural, and economic life of Northern Nigeria. However, the rising prominence of Fulani political leaders has significantly weakened their position. The Hausa, once at the center of Northern politics, now find themselves pushed to the periphery, where they have become little more than tools to be used by the political elite during elections. Their traditional rulers have been gradually marginalized, replaced by a Fulani oligarchy that controls the region's power structures.

This transformation is not a sudden phenomenon but rather the culmination of over two centuries of political maneuvering and cultural shifts. The Fulani people, who originally came to Northern Nigeria as pastoralists and traders, have slowly expanded their influence in the region. What began as peaceful coexistence with the Hausa has now turned into a political dominance that has displaced the traditional Hausa leadership.

Despite their numerical strength, the Hausa people are now victims of a political arrangement where their voices are barely heard. The Fulani leadership, often backed by military and political power, now dominates all major decision-making bodies in the North. Whether through elections or strategic alliances, the Fulanis have systematically ensured that their grip on power remains unchallenged.

The Role of Fulani Bandits and the Perception of Impunity

The political dominance of the Fulanis in Northern Nigeria has also sparked a dangerous dynamic—one that threatens the peace and security of the region. The rise of Fulani bandits in the North, responsible for widespread violence, killings, and kidnappings, is often linked to the broader power struggle between the Fulanis and other ethnic groups in the region. Many people, especially from the Hausa and other marginalized groups, view these bandit activities as part of a broader agenda to assert Fulani control over Northern Nigeria.

The perception that Fulani bandits enjoy impunity is growing. As violence continues to ravage rural areas and towns, the Hausa, in particular, have been left to fend for themselves. With no political voice to challenge the dominance of Fulani leadership, these communities feel increasingly vulnerable. The Fulanis, who once arrived in the region as migrants, are now seen by many as oppressors who are systematically erasing the cultural and political identity of the Hausa people.

The Resistance of the Kanuri and the Fate of Other Northern Groups

One group that has successfully resisted Fulani political domination is the Kanuri, native to Borno and Yobe states. Unlike the Hausa, the Kanuri have managed to retain control over their leadership and have resisted attempts by the Fulanis to gain political power in these states. Their success in protecting their identity serves as a stark contrast to the situation faced by the Hausa, who seem to be losing their traditional and political foothold at an alarming rate.

But the challenge posed by the Fulani leadership is not limited to the Hausa or even the Kanuri. In states like Benue and Kwara, the Fulani have successfully infiltrated and gained significant political influence. In Kwara, for instance, a Fulani man is running for the House of Representatives in a district traditionally dominated by the Eggon people, a clear indication of the increasing political encroachment by Fulani elites into non-Fulani territories.

The Call for Awareness and Action

As the Fulanization of Northern Nigeria continues to unfold, there is an urgent need for awareness and action. The Hausa people, in particular, must recognize the gradual erosion of their political and cultural identity and begin to question the systems that have led to their marginalization. The situation in Benue, where traditional leaders have attempted to negotiate with Fulani representatives, serves as a cautionary tale. There is little hope for meaningful peace when one party is determined to dominate and erase the identity of the other.

The rise of Fulani political power in Northern Nigeria is not just about ethnic domination—it is about the future of the region’s diverse peoples and cultures. If current trends continue, the Hausa people risk losing their voice in their own land, their traditional leadership replaced by a foreign oligarchy that cares little for their needs, struggles, or survival.

The question remains: How much longer can the Hausa people and other marginalized groups in Northern Nigeria remain passive in the face of this growing political and cultural hegemony? Will they rise to reclaim their leadership, or will they continue to be swept aside by an unstoppable political tide?

This is the struggle that Northern Nigeria faces today—a struggle that will shape its future for generations to come.

- written by Alexander Abba