Why Nigerian elites are united while the masses remain divided, by Muhammad Ahmad Yaya Misau
In Nigeria, a blunt paradox exists, where the elites whether in politics, business, or other spheres of influence are strongly united, while the common citizens are extensively divided along ethnic, religious, and regional lines. Despite making up less than 5% of the population, the elites control the country’s wealth and political power with a level of coordination that contrasts sharply with the fragmentation among the majority. This phenomenon raises important questions about the structure of power, the nature of elite interests, and the mechanisms through which division among the masses is perpetuated.
The unity among Nigerian elites is rooted in shared interests, political dominance, economic advantage, and social continuity. Regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds, those in positions of power understand the importance of cooperation when it comes to maintaining their collective control. Political leaders may publicly adopt different party affiliations, but behind closed doors, and sometimes in open, they often work together to ensure policies that favour their wealth accumulation and influence.
Similarly, in the business sector, major industrialists, bankers, and multinational investors form alliances that transcend ethnic and religious divisions. The goal is straightforward, economic survival and expansion. They finance political candidates across party lines, ensuring that, no matter who wins, their business interests remain protected. This collaboration has led to a cycle where political elites and business magnates rely on each other to sustain their privileges, forming an interconnected web of power that is difficult to penetrate.
The common citizens are deliberately kept divided through various means. Ethnic and religious tensions are often stoked by politicians who benefit from a fractured populace. Elections, for instance, are frequently framed as contests between ethnic groups rather than debates on policies and governance. Politicians exploit deep-seated historical grievances and identity politics to rally support, ensuring that the electorate remains distracted from demanding true accountability.
The media and social platforms further amplify these divisions, as inflammatory rhetoric spreads faster than messages of unity. Citizens, struggling with artificial economic hardship, often become susceptible to such narratives, blaming their misfortunes on perceived ethnic or religious enemies rather than on systemic failures orchestrated by those in power.
Another key reason for mass division is the economic disparity between the elites and the ordinary people. With over 60% of Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, the struggle for daily survival overshadows the push for collective action. Many citizens are more concerned with finding means to feed their families than with challenging the structures that perpetuate inequality. Meanwhile, the elites, through policies that ensure wealth concentration, continue to control the economic resources that should ideally be more equitably distributed.
Unemployment, poor education, and limited access to information further weaken the ability of ordinary Nigerians to unite against elite domination. Without proper civic education and economic empowerment, citizens are left vulnerable to manipulation, making them pawns in a game designed to keep them divided and powerless.
To challenge this entrenched system, Nigerian citizens must recognise the artificial nature of the divisions imposed upon them. Unity among the masses is essential in demanding better governance, economic fairness, and social justice. Civil society organizations, grassroots movements, and independent media can play a role in fostering national consciousness that transcends ethnic and religious affiliations.
Furthermore, a reorientation of the political landscape is necessary. Citizens must shift focus from identity politics to issue-based voting, holding leaders accountable not based on ethnicity or religion but on their track record and policies. Economic empowerment programs that reduce dependency on political elites will also be crucial in breaking the cycle of manipulation.
The unity of Nigeria’s elites serves as a powerful tool in maintaining their control, but it is not unbreakable. If the common citizens find a way to unite around shared struggles and aspirations, they can challenge the status quo and build a system that truly serves the interests of the majority rather than a privileged few.
By fostering awareness and collective action, Nigerians can bridge the divisions that have long been used to suppress them. True progress will come only when the people reject the manipulations of the elite class and demand a system that prioritizes national development over sectional interests.
Muhammad Ahmad Yaya Misau is a Policy Analyst, Advocate for Good Governance, and Public Affairs Commentator based in Bauchi, can be reached on 08036291459.
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