The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly refuted assertions that its identity is a recent political construct designed to destabilize Northern Nigeria. Dr. Pogu Bitrus, President of the forum, emphasized that such claims are historically inaccurate and serve to undermine the region’s burgeoning political consciousness. This deep-seated Middle Belt identity, he argues, is a product of a rich history, not a manufactured agenda.
What is the Middle Belt of Nigeria? The Middle Belt of Nigeria refers to the indigenous ethnic nationalities of Northern Nigeria that existed independently of the Sokoto Caliphate and Kanem-Borno Empire before British colonization. This diverse region spans 14 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, comprising peoples with distinct pre-colonial political systems.
How did the Middle Belt identity form? The historical roots of the Middle Belt are evident in its pre-colonial polities. Long before British arrival, powerful entities like the Kwararafa Confederacy, Jukun states, Igala Kingdom, Borgu Kingdom, Nupe Kingdom, and the Zuru (Lelna) Kingdom thrived. Communities such as the Tiv, Idoma, Gbagyi, Birom, Angas, and Eggon also maintained distinct political structures, actively resisting slave raids and efforts towards forced Islamization, a key aspect when considering the Sokoto Caliphate vs Middle Belt history.
British colonial conquest further solidified the unique political consciousness of the Middle Belt. Records indicate that communities within this region mounted prolonged and fierce resistance to colonial rule, a stark contrast to the relatively swifter subjugation of the emirate enclaves. This enduring spirit of independence is a cornerstone of the Middle Belt identity today.
Due to this persistent resistance, the British were compelled to impose “indirect rule” by force, a system that controversially subordinated many Middle Belt groups to emirate authorities they had historically opposed. This forced arrangement, rather than any foreign conspiracy, laid the groundwork for future agitations and the strengthening of a collective Middle Belt identity seeking recognition and autonomy.
Arguments suggesting the Middle Belt lacked recognition before the 1940s are intellectually indefensible, according to Dr. Bitrus. Colonial correspondence itself referenced the Middle Belt as early as the first decade of the 20th century. However, British authorities deliberately resisted the formal creation of a Middle Belt Region to preserve the political dominance of the Hausa, Fulani, and Kanuri oligarchs, shaping the early dynamics of Middle Belt vs Northern Nigeria.
The United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC), spearheaded by the late Joseph Sarwuan Tarka, emerged as a pivotal movement, articulating long-standing grievances. These included widespread land dispossession, political exclusion from central power structures, and the suppression of diverse cultural practices unique to the region. The UMBC’s formation was a direct response to these systemic injustices.
Claims of missionary or foreign manipulation in the UMBC’s genesis are also dismissed. Leaders of the Middle Belt during that era were among Nigeria’s most educated, having directly experienced the suppression, oppression, and exploitation of their people’s labor and resources. Their education and personal experiences empowered them to form alliances and resist injustice, demonstrating a clear understanding Middle Belt identity and its historical context.
In contemporary politics, the Middle Belt movement is not separatist but rather a quest for recognition, equity, and freedom from what is often described as an imposed “Arewa identity.” The Middle Belt Forum news update consistently highlights this pursuit of self-determination within the Nigerian federation, advocating for a just and inclusive national framework.
Furthermore, attempts to portray the Middle Belt as a religiously motivated project are inaccurate. The region is known for its religious pluralism, with Muslims, Christians, and adherents of traditional religions all represented within the MBF leadership. This diversity underscores that the movement is about regional identity and political rights, not sectarian division.
Looking at the middle belt nigeria future outlook 2026, Dr. Bitrus suggests that the long-assumed Hausa-Fulani political bloc is increasingly fracturing. He points to growing dissent among Hausa intellectuals and what he terms manufactured Fulani violence affecting rural Hausa communities. These developments indicate a shift in Nigeria regional politics analysis 2026.
Ultimately, current events reflect not a conspiracy against the North, but rather the collapse of an artificial political arrangement that was sustained by historical power dynamics rather than genuine consent. This underscores the enduring and authentic nature of the Middle Belt identity, firmly rooted in history and the aspirations of its diverse peoples.
![[post_title]](https://samony.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1767807822_Marc-Marquez-to-make-Ducati-return-in-private-Valencia-test-300x200.jpg?lm=695E9B51 "Why Marc Marquez Tests Ducati: Major Comeback Update")
