Prominent Nigerian political economist and public intellectual, Professor Pat Utomi has recounted how he was often mistaken for a Yoruba student during his undergraduate days at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka due to his close association with Yoruba friends and affinity for southwestern politics.
In a recent interview on Channels Television, Utomi reflected on his student days shedding light on the deep interethnic bonds that once defined the Nigerian society. “This is the Nigeria I grew up in,” he said.
“At Nsukka, as an undergraduate, they called me Yoruba boy because people didn’t realize I was actually Igbo. Because 80 percent of my friends in Nsukka were actually Yoruba boys and my politics has always been around the southwest.”
Utomi’s remarks come at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with deep-seated ethnic divisions, often reflected in its political landscape. His recollections stand in stark contrast to the present-day tensions emphasizing a past where ethnic identity was secondary to friendship and ideological alignment.
Throughout his career, Utomi has been known for promoting unity and advocating for a merit-based, inclusive society. His affinity for the southwest despite being ethnically Igbo shows his broader vision of a Nigeria where tribal affiliations are less important than shared values and goals.
Many viewers and commentators on social media praised Utomi’s comments as a timely reminder of Nigeria’s potential for unity. His story of being misidentified not as a source of discomfort but as a reflection of deep bonds with fellow students from other ethnic groups, resonated with calls for a more united and tolerant Nigeria.
