Stop prioritising non-Yorubas for jobs in Yoruba states, Group tells South-west politicians

A coalition of Yoruba citizens has issued a strong call to South-West leaders to act swiftly in defending Yoruba rights, heritage, and resources.

In an open letter addressed to Yoruba governors, senators, representatives, local government officials, and traditional rulers, the group, known as the Concerned Yoruba Conservative Citizens from Home and Abroad, demanded immediate action to safeguard the Yoruba way of life.

One of their appeals is a call to end what they describe as biased hiring practices within civil service roles across Yoruba states.

They argued that non-indigenous candidates are often chosen over qualified Yoruba applicants, a practice that they claim undermines Yoruba representation.

According to them, Yoruba people deserve to be prioritised in Yoruba land, and they called for policies that put Yoruba citizens at the forefront of both public and private sector employment.

The letter reads in part, “Civil service positions within Yoruba states should primarily serve our indigenous population. We are dismayed by discriminatory hiring practices that favor non-indigenous applicants, even when qualified Yoruba candidates are available.

“This practice contradicts the norms in other Nigerian regions, where local opportunities are reserved primarily for local citizens. We demand that recruitment policies prioritize Yoruba candidates for all positions within Yoruba states, both in civil service and private sectors.”

The group also targets the sale of Yoruba land to non-indigenous buyers, especially in Lagos, warning that these sales jeopardise the cultural and economic integrity of Yoruba communities.

Public resources, the coalition stressed, must first serve Yoruba citizens. They cited healthcare and educational services as overburdened by non-indigenous residents, adding unnecessary strain to local budgets.

While they respect the rights of all residents, they urge leaders to prioritise Yoruba citizens and to ensure that non-Yoruba residents contribute fairly if they access these services.

The letter also calls for a renewed emphasis on the Yoruba language and culture. The coalition advocates for Yoruba to become the primary language on public signage and the main language of instruction in schools and workplaces.

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