TITLE:
The Marginalization of the Igbo People in Nigeria’s Political and Economic Sectors: What Is the Way Forward?
AUTHORS:
Ezeakukwu Emmanuel Nsoedo
KEYWORDS:
Marginalization, Political, Economic, Civil War, Igbo, Decree, Policies
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.7 No.7,
July
31,
2019
ABSTRACT: This study looked into the
marginalization of the Igbo people primarily from the political and economic
perspectives; albeit, the social factors were also evaluated to appreciate if
the title could be justified. The researcher gave historical consideration to
the pre-civil war of 1967, and post-civil war with regard to the economic and
political status occupied by the Eastern region when compared to the Northern
and Western regions. The Eastern region was found to be a leader in economic
advancement beyond the shores of Nigeria. Politically, it played pivotal roles
through the political leaders of the regional powerhouse, the NCNC. Following
the end of the Nigeria Biafra civil war, the military regimes introduced series
of decrees that ushered in policies which did not accommodate the interest of
the Igbo people, such as unfulfilled reconstruction of the devastated Igbo
land, 20 pounds flat refund policy, indigenization decree, etc. The punitive
economic disadvantages appeared to have persisted years after the civil war.
The airports from the Southeast lacked quality infrastructure despite having
very significant Igbo travelers dominating this sector. The study used
historical research analysis approach by examining multiple sources such as
archived materials, books, journals, and newspapers. The researcher provided
recommendations to steps towards restructuring, or an integrated regional
development to counter development inertia.