IT has become necessary to issue this urgent message to draw attention of the Lagos State, Federal Government, the National Assembly, and the international community to critical and deeply concerning developments in Lagos State. The matters outlined herein have far-reaching implications not only for the indigenous peoples of Lagos State but for the future of Nigeria’s democratic and federal structure. On qualification for indigeneship in Nigeria, we categorically reject the proposed constitutional amendment currently before the National Assembly, which seeks to redefine indigeneship as based on birth, prolonged residency, or marriage, rather than ancestry and historical connection to land. This legislation, if passed, will erode the cultural and constitutional rights of indigenous Nigerians, particularly the indigenous peoples of Lagos State. Indigeneship is a matter of heritage, not habitation. It is distinct from citizenship and must remain so in law and in practice. The proposal under consideration is a direct affront to the identity, dignity, and historical rights of indigenous communities, and it opens the door to ethnic disenfranchisement and avoidable conflict. We call on the Lagos State Caucus in the National Assembly to vigorously oppose this attempt to dilute indigenous rights, and we remind all lawmakers of their solemn obligation to protect the diverse ethnic foundations upon which Nigeria is built.
Marginalization and domination of lagos state indigenes: History has helped us to understand where ancestral aborigines of Lagos State indigenes were coming from and where we are proud to be today. Based on these historical facts and events leading to the creation of lagos state, the indigenes can not be lectured on its creation by those who do not know our beginning. We are saddened by the fact that the state from the beginning of democratic dispensation in 1999 has been sold as a political orphan. The political administration in Lagos State has taken away indigenous rights in the full participation of governance. For 25 years, those running the affairs of government in the state have been mainly non indigenes. The indigenes have been robbed at the executive, legislative, public, and civil service levels as over 70% are non indigenous holders. Lagos State is the only state in the whole of the federation where aberration is perpetuated through abuse of power and tyranny. This is an inappropriate policy that is wrong, unjust, and injurious to the pride of the indigenes. There is no doubt that dictatorship exists in the control of government formation in Lagos State whether at state, federal or local government level in terms of representation. All you find majorly are non-indigenes and a few indigenes. The resurgent ambition of the Yoruba neighbours in usurping the indigenes’ constitutional rights, benefits, and opportunities is not in the best interests of the indigenous people.
What will be in the best interest of the indigenes is to have all our elective positions (Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker), Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Head of Service, Chief Judge in the state and all slots for federal appointments due to Lagos State occupied by them (indigenous Lagosians – IBILE). Knowing now that our present and the future of our children and grandchildren are in serious denial by the ruling elites, because of marginisation, domination, and marginal participation in governance as guaranteed by the constitution on our ancestral space, indigenes should not be denied the political heritage of their struggle in having a state of their own calling. Local government elections: The Constitution clearly provides for 20 Local Government Areas in Lagos State. The intention to conduct elections in additional 37 LCDAs is not only unconstitutional but also an aberration. This illegal action threatens to undermine the autonomy of the constitutionally recognized 20 Local Government Councils in the state. We are of the view that the additional 37 LCDAs, illegally created but now being considered at the National Assembly, should be vigorously pursued to a logical conclusion so the state can have the financial and moral benefits of local governments creation.
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We call on the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to strictly adhere to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and urge political parties to field indigenous candidates who reflect the cultural and political heritage of the people of Lagos State. Position of united nations on discrimination against indigenous people: The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres recently on April 22nd , 2025 said that “the individual and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples are non-negotiable,” he made this known at the opening remarks to the Permanent Forum of the United Nations which is still currently ongoing under the theme “Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges.”
Describing Indigenous Peoples as “the preeminent stewards of the world’s biodiversity and the environment”, the Secretary-General highlighted the difficulties they face, including marginalization, discrimination, unemployment, economic disadvantage, horrendous violence, climate change, and illegal mining on their land. “We know how to right these wrongs,” he said, noting that the United Nations Declaration —adopted in 2007 — laid out a blueprint for securing the survival, dignity and well-being of Indigenous Peoples everywhere and has been used by courts, parliaments and communities to secure rights and galvanize political action.
A call to action: We urge all Lagos indigenes to rise in defense of our ancestral land. The acronym IBILE—representing Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe—must not be reduced to a historical relic. It is a symbol of our shared heritage and identity, and it must be protected. We call on traditional rulers, political stakeholders, and civil society actors to unite in ensuring that Lagos remains under the guardianship of its rightful owners. The manipulation of democratic processes for partisan or personal gain must be resisted. The Foundation reaffirms its commitment to peace, unity, and national progress, but not at the expense of justice, fairness, and the inalienable rights of indigenous peoples. We demand immediate cessation of all unconstitutional actions related to local government elections in Lagos, full legislative rejection of the proposed indigeneship amendment, non-interference by the federal government in state legislative affairs, restoration of security to traditional rulers, if the alleged case of oniru and elegushi is true, and protection of lagos state from any declaration of emergency under political pretext.
- Are and Tokosi are Secretary General and President, respectively, of De Renaiisance Foundation, Lagos
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