IGBO TRADERS AND TRANSPORTERS IN THE PROJECT OF NATION-BUILDING IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examines Igbo traders and transporters as crucial stakeholders in the project of nation building in Nigeria. It problematises the phenomenon of Igbo economic dominance in Nigeria without a corresponding political   participation. Using the historical research methodology and primary and secondary sources of data, the paper seeks to achieve its main objective. This is that the engendering of a functional balance between political and economic rights is central to nation building. It finds that in pre-colonial and colonial times, Igbo traders through long distance trading contributed significantly to the Nigerian project. Under colonial rule, it also finds that the construction of roads and development of road transport business enabled Igbo transporters to emerge as accidental instrument of nation building in Nigeria. Igbo traders and transporters entered business mainly for profit and entrepreneurship. But this paper argues that, because of the cross regional nature of their economic services, Igbo traders and transporters accelerate nation building in Nigeria. In post-colonial Nigeria, Igbo traders and transporters are the perfect embodiment of economic nationalism. They dispassionately build businesses beyond their geopolitical zones; and integrate into their host communities without qualms. Therefore, this paper concludes that Igbo political exclusionism is the current bane of their economic contribution to nation building in Nigeria.