Igbophobia as Racism: The Making and Unmasking of Racial Discrimination in Nigeria

Igbophobia―the racialization of people of Igbo descent―remains pervasive in Nigerian society but is often mischaracterized as tribalism. We contend that framing it as tribalism obscures and trivializes its structural and racialized dimensions. Drawing on critical insights from ethnic studies, we reconceptualize Igbophobia as a virulent racism that dehumanizes/maltreats people of Igbo descent particularly along biological, economic, and political lines. This argument is supported by empirical data sourced from X (formerly Twitter) combined with secondary sources including news reports and academic literature. By reframing Igbophobia as racism, we advance a more accurate and critical understanding of anti-Igbo discrimination in contemporary Nigeria.