The Yoruba have been a member of the UNPO since 2020. 

The Yoruba people, with a population of over 44 million, constitute one of the largest and most culturally significant ethnic groups in Africa. They possess a distinct identity, underpinned by a shared language, Yoruba, and distinct traditions, art, and religious beliefs, including the widely practiced Ifá religion. Their historical legacy is marked by the establishment of advanced urban centers and powerful kingdoms like Oyo, Ife, and Benin, which were known for their sophisticated political systems and governance structures. The Yoruba people are undoubtedly a nation, with a shared language, culture, and history that bind them together across the southwestern region of Nigeria and beyond. Their historical kingdoms, such as Oyo and Ife, were powerful entities that played significant roles in the region’s development long before the creation of the modern Nigerian state.

Despite their clear identity and historical significance, the Yoruba people remain unrepresented in the full sense of self-determination. The formation of Nigeria as a colonial construct brought together diverse ethnic groups without adequate consideration for their distinct identities and governance structures. In this context, the Yoruba people have often found themselves marginalized within the larger Nigerian political framework, with limited control over their own resources and governance.

The right to self-determination for the Yoruba is crucial because it acknowledges their historical sovereignty and their ongoing struggles for cultural preservation, political representation, and economic empowerment. Granting the Yoruba people the ability to exercise this right would not only respect their inherent identity as a nation but also address the systemic marginalization they have faced. It would allow for a more equitable distribution of power and resources within Nigeria, fostering peace and stability in a country marked by ethnic and regional tensions. 

The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the Yoruba people as a whole and might work with different civil society organizations, groups and representatives from the Yoruba. However, the main organization representing the rights of Yoruba people within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is the Yoruba World Congress. You can read more about the Yoruba World Congress here. 

The Yoruba people, numbering over 44 million, are one of the largest and most influential ethnic groups in Africa, predominantly found in southwestern Nigeria. Yoruba identity is deeply rooted in language, culture, and tradition. The Yoruba language, part of the Niger-Congo family, is widely spoken and serves as a cornerstone of Yoruba cultural identity, alongside their rich traditions of oral history, religion, and arts.

Yoruba culture is marked by a strong emphasis on community, respect for elders, and a deep connection to spiritual beliefs. The Yoruba people have a well-documented history of sophisticated urban centers, with Ile-Ife being a significant cultural and spiritual hub. The Yoruba’s traditional religion, which includes the worship of deities known as Orishas, coexists alongside Christianity and Islam, reflecting the religious diversity within the community. Despite modern influences, the Yoruba have maintained their cultural heritage through music, dance, festivals, and traditional ceremonies.

The Yoruba people have a long history of civilization, with evidence of organized states and urban centers dating back to the 11th century. They established powerful kingdoms, such as Oyo, Ife, and Ijebu, which played significant roles in the political and cultural development of the region. The Yoruba kingdoms were known for their advanced political systems, arts, and trade networks that extended throughout West Africa.

With the advent of colonialism, the Yoruba territories were incorporated into the British protectorate of Nigeria. The creation of Nigeria in 1914, which amalgamated diverse ethnic groups into a single political entity, overlooked the distinct identities and governance structures of these groups, including the Yoruba. Upon Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the Yoruba people found themselves part of a multi-ethnic state where regional and ethnic tensions often led to political marginalization and conflicts.

The Yoruba people today face several challenges in their pursuit of self-determination, cultural preservation, and political representation. The southwest region of Nigeria, which is predominantly Yoruba, has been at the forefront of advocating for greater political and economic autonomy within the Nigerian federal system. Movements and organizations have called for the restructuring of Nigeria to allow for more regional control over resources, governance, and development.

The Yoruba people also contend with significant economic and social challenges, including high unemployment rates, poverty, and inadequate infrastructure, which contribute to social unrest. Additionally, there are ongoing concerns about ethno-religious tensions and the spread of extremist ideologies in some areas, further complicating the region’s stability.

Cultural preservation is another critical issue, as globalization and the dominance of English pose threats to the Yoruba language and traditions. Despite these challenges, the Yoruba continue to assert their cultural identity, advocate for their rights, and seek greater inclusion in Nigeria’s political processes.

The right to self-determination for the Yoruba people is not only a matter of preserving their rich cultural heritage but also of ensuring their political and economic empowerment within Nigeria. The Yoruba’s quest for equitable representation is a legitimate response to historical and ongoing challenges of marginalization and governance. Respecting their right to self-determination would foster peace, justice, and stability in Nigeria, providing a framework for addressing the aspirations of other ethnic groups in the country as well.