Place of Birth Matters More Than State of Origin – Kukah Centre

There is a growing trend in Nigeria where individuals manipulate their identities to secure resources, employment, healthcare, and exert influence over those in power. This issue was highlighted by Fr. Atta Barkindo, the Executive Director of the Kukah Centre (TKC), during a public presentation in Abuja.

The event centered around the 26-page impact report of the project titled ‘Strengthening Social Cohesion in Lagos,’ supported by the MacArthur Foundation. 

Fr. Barkindo emphasized that the manipulation of identity stems from the challenges within the country’s administrative and social systems. He noted that an individual’s identity is often dictated by their place of origin, rather than where they have lived most of their life. For example, someone born in Kano but residing there for decades might face bureaucratic hurdles when it comes time to vote or access services, being asked to return to their state of origin despite their long-term residency.

This issue underscores a broader problem within Nigeria’s social and political framework, where identity and regional affiliations can impact access to critical resources and opportunities. The Kukah Centre’s report sheds light on how these systemic issues affect social cohesion and contribute to broader societal challenges.

He said, “That is why you belong. It is about where you are born that matters, not your own state of origin. So somebody was born in Kano, lives in Kano for 40 years, and when it is time to vote, they ask you to go back to your state of origin, not the state that you were born.”