Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has stated that the Igbo community is no longer marginalised, asserting that calls for Biafra are now “unjustified.”
Speaking during an inspection of federal projects in the Southeast, Umahi said the region has witnessed unprecedented inclusion in national development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He linked the diminishing Igbo marginalisation debate to the extensive infrastructure investments currently underway in the region. According to the minister, improved integration and visible federal presence have addressed grievances that historically fueled separatist movements.
Infrastructure Investments Changing Perceptions
Umahi noted that past administrations left many Igbos feeling excluded, which amplified agitation and separatist sentiments. “In previous governments, our people felt very much marginalised, and that was the reason some advocated for Biafra. Today, we are fully integrated into the mainstream of the nation,” he said.
He argued that strategic federal projects across the Southeast are reducing the relevance of the Igbo marginalisation discourse.
Major Projects Across the Southeast
The minister highlighted several key projects that he says demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to the region:
* The Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway
* The Owerri–Onitsha Expressway
* Section 2B of the Second Niger Bridge
* A 123-kilometre highway from Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State to the Benue border
Umahi emphasized that these initiatives represent investments worth hundreds of billions of naira, prioritizing durability and long-term benefits.
Tinubu’s Administration Praised
The Works Minister also commended President Tinubu for prioritising the Southeast in national development, saying the region now feels “comfortable” and “very happy.” He urged Southeast leaders to pursue political influence through strategic engagement rather than relying on sentiment or rhetoric tied to past marginalisation debates.
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“Even those who opposed our rightful place as Southeast people, God has opened the time. This is our time, and this is the moment President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reintegrated our people,” Umahi concluded.
