Presidential adviser urges Nigerians to study shared linguistic roots for unity
Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, argues in Premium Times that examining shared words across Nigerian ethnic languages—like "tule" meaning "run" in both Yoruba and Edo, or "aka" for "hand" in Igbo and Yoruba—could foster national unity. He cites Nigeria's 2025 Scrabble championship win as evidence of the nation's linguistic aptitude, suggesting deeper etymological study might counter tribal divisions amplified by social media.
The author notes how languages naturally blend at borders (e.g., Igbo flowing into Idoma, Yoruba influencing Hausa terms like "ji soro" for respect/fear), proposing a pan-Nigerian etymology project to trace these interconnections. Such research, he believes, could reveal centuries of trade, intermarriage, and cultural fusion that underlie superficial differences—potentially boosting economic cooperation by strengthening national identity.
With Nigeria managing diversity amid resource challenges, Fasua asks whether investing in linguistic unity research could help shift focus from tribal exceptionalism to shared heritage, inviting reflection on how understanding our interconnected past might build a more cohesive present.