Intergroup Relations between Ìjẹ̀bú Igbó and her Neighbours, Southwestern Nigeria up to 1960

• Published in: African journal of religion, philosophy and culture Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 5 - 23
• Main Authors: Olusegun Olalere, Titilope, Oselumese Ohien, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Adonis & Abbey Publishers Ltd 01.12.2023
• Subjects: African studies; Nigeria
• ISSN: 2634-7636; 2634-7644
• DOI: 10.31920/2634-7644/2023/v4n2a1

Igbó and her neighbours are Ìjẹ̀bú towns under Ìjẹ̀bú kingdom. Awùjalẹ̀ was the paramount and spiritual head before her conquest by the British in 1892. Prior to the conquest, the towns had achieved a high level of socio-political and economic relations which had helped made cultural integration, an integral part in the evolution of modern Nigeria. Existing studies on inter-group relations in southwestern Nigeria have not adequately captured socio-political relations between Ìjẹ̀bú Igbó and her neighbours between 1900 and 1960. This study therefore examines the dynamics of the socio-political relations and its implications on Ìjẹ̀bú Igbó and her neighbours when colonial administration brought about political re-configuration of Ijebuland which altered their sociopolitical relations. Therefore, the political struggle gave autonomy to Ìjẹ̀bú Igbó with great implications on her relations with her neighbours during this period. Both primary and secondary sources of data were adopted which include archival materials, ethnographic materials and oral information from men and women who are knowledgeable in the subject matter with articles in journals and books. In analyses and interpretation, the study adopts the chronological, thematic and descriptive style. Several socio-political movements emerged in the area including Ìjẹ̀bú Òde Progressive Union and Ìjẹ̀bú Igbó Improvement Union. These movements aimed at promoting the socio-political interests of their respective communities while also fostering inter-ethnic cooperation and unity.