I asked my chat gpt to give a full description of what Yoruba Nationalism means based on my interactions with the AI.
Yoruba Nationalism: Meaning, Characteristics, and Distinction from Politicking
What is Yoruba Nationalism?
Yoruba Nationalism is the conscious commitment to the preservation, advancement, protection, and development of the Yoruba people, their culture, language, heritage, institutions, economic interests, and collective future wherever they may be found in the world.
It is the belief that the Yoruba nation, as a historic civilization with a distinct language, culture, territory, and worldview, has a legitimate right to organize, protect, and promote its interests within any political arrangement in which it exists.
Yoruba Nationalism is not hatred of other peoples. Rather, it is the conviction that a people who fail to defend their own interests cannot effectively contribute to the progress of humanity.
As Chief Obafemi Awolowo demonstrated, the advancement of a people begins with the development of their educational, cultural, political, and economic institutions.
Core Objectives of Yoruba Nationalism
A Yoruba nationalist seeks:
Preservation of Yoruba language and culture.
Protection of Yoruba historical territories and heritage.
Economic advancement of Yoruba communities.
Educational excellence and intellectual development.
Security and welfare of Yoruba people.
Political representation that reflects Yoruba interests.
Strengthening of Yoruba institutions.
Unity among Yoruba at home and in the diaspora.
Development of future generations of Yoruba leaders.
Promotion of Omoluabi values of integrity, dignity, industry, and communal responsibility.
Characteristics of a True Yoruba Nationalist
1. Places Yoruba Interests Above Personal Gain
A nationalist asks:
“How does this benefit the Yoruba people?”
before asking:
“How does this benefit me?”
He may sacrifice personal opportunities if they undermine the collective interest.
2. Defends Yoruba Culture and Language
A true nationalist:
Speaks and promotes Yoruba.
Encourages Yoruba education.
Protects traditional institutions.
Supports cultural preservation.
He understands that when a people lose their language, they gradually lose their identity.
3. Thinks Across Generations
Nationalists build for the future.
They establish:
Schools
Media organizations
Leadership institutes
Economic institutions
Research centers
Cultural foundations
They think in decades, not election cycles.
4. Values Competence and Excellence
A nationalist does not support an individual merely because they are Yoruba.
He supports capable Yoruba individuals who can advance the collective interest.
Merit remains essential.
5. Supports Yoruba Unity
A nationalist seeks cooperation among:
Oyo
Ijebu
Egba
Ekiti
Ijesa
Ondo
Akoko
Yagba
Owo
Awori
Ilaje
Ketu
Itsekiri and others
while respecting their unique identities.
6. Builds Institutions Rather Than Personalities
Personalities die.
Institutions endure.
Nationalists build organizations that outlive them and continue serving the people.
7. Maintains Historical Consciousness
A nationalist studies:
Yoruba history
Yoruba heroes
Yoruba struggles
Yoruba achievements
He learns from the examples of figures such as Obafemi Awolowo, Samuel Ajayi Crowther, Herbert Macaulay, and Adeyemo Alakija.
8. Possesses Moral Courage
A true nationalist can criticize his own people when necessary.
He does not support wrongdoing merely because the offender is Yoruba.
He seeks justice and accountability.
9. Supports Economic Self-Strengthening
A nationalist encourages:
Entrepreneurship
Investment
Cooperative societies
Industrial development
Professional advancement
Strong economies strengthen nations.
10. Practices Omoluabi Ethics
The nationalist should embody:
Integrity
Honesty
Discipline
Respect
Hard work
Responsibility
Without character, nationalism becomes mere tribal sentiment.
Yoruba nationalism is not a hustler task, it is a selfless service to the race. It is not for everyone too! It is also not a political stunt or corruption medium. It perhaps takes certain people to understand truly what it means to be Nationalistic.
I have been in Yoruba nationalism for 23 years. I have seen a spectrum, my overall impression and conclusion is that it is not for everyone and it is often interpreted as a tool for political relevance and money making venture for access to funds that can then be shared like Nigeria’s allocations. Often, people who see Yoruba Nationalism as those things lacks the deep understanding of what Yoruba nationalism means. They assume many things bcuz they have only known corrupt Political process.
I asked my chat gpt to give a full description of what Yoruba Nationalism means based on my interactions with the AI.
I will say that there is reward for a true Nationalist, reward that will outlast the subject.