A hate-filled post by a Nigerian businesswoman has set social media ablaze, reigniting conversations about tribalism and the dangerous consequences of ethnic bigotry in Nigeria.
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A woman identified as Ruth Abioye has found herself at the centre of a massive social media storm after a deeply troubling post she made on Facebook went viral. In the post, Abioye directed vicious curses at the Igbo ethnic group, declaring that she would rejoice over the death of any Igbo person — whether they were bigots or not.
The post, which has since been widely shared and condemned across various platforms, read in part:
> “You Igbos, your children will die before you, your parents will bury you…”
The level of hatred contained in the message left many Nigerians — from Lagos to Enugu, Kano to Port Harcourt — completely gobsmacked.
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Social Media Erupts in Condemnation
As expected, the reaction from Nigerians online was swift and fierce. Many took to Twitter (now X), Instagram, and Facebook itself to drag the post, calling it dangerous, irresponsible, and a threat to national unity.
For a country still healing from deep ethnic wounds — wounds that stretch back decades — posts like this are not just offensive. They are genuinely dangerous.
Many Nigerians were quick to point out that ethnic hate speech of this nature is not only morally reprehensible but could also have legal consequences under Nigeria’s cybercrime laws and hate speech regulations.
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The Bigger Problem: Tribalism in Nigeria
Let’s be honest — this incident, as shocking as it is, did not happen in a vacuum.
Nigeria’s tribal fault lines have always existed, but social media has given a megaphone to voices that were once confined to whispered conversations at owambe parties or heated family gatherings. Today, anyone with a smartphone and a Facebook account can broadcast ethnic hatred to thousands of people within seconds.
The Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa-Fulani — Nigeria’s three major ethnic groups — have long navigated a complicated relationship shaped by history, politics, economics, and yes, stereotypes. But there is a clear line between cultural differences and outright wishing death upon an entire group of people.
Ruth Abioye crossed that line — and then some.
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Nigerians Are Calling for Accountability
Following the viral spread of the post, many Nigerians are demanding that appropriate authorities take action.* Some have called on the **Nigerian Police Force** and the *National Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter.
Others have gone further, calling on Facebook to permanently remove the account, arguing that platforms have a responsibility to ensure they are not used as breeding grounds for ethnic incitement.
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A Reminder of What Is at Stake
Nigeria is a nation of over 220 million people* spread across more than *250 ethnic groups. Our diversity is, without question, one of our greatest strengths. But it can also be exploited as a weapon — and that is exactly what posts like Ruth Abioye’s attempt to do.
As Nigerians, we must collectively refuse to allow hate merchants to define our national conversation. Whether you are Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Ijaw, Tiv, or Efik — no Nigerian deserves to be cursed, dehumanised, or wished death upon because of their ethnicity.
Unity in diversity is not just a phrase on a government billboard. It is a daily choice we must all make.
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What are your thoughts on this? Should Ruth Abioye face legal consequences for this post? Drop your comments below.
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