Enough Of “Emilokan” And “Awalokan” — It’s Time For “Gbogbo Nigeria Lo Kan” -By Isaac Asabor

Nigeria is a country of rich diversity. Over 200 million people, more than 500 ethnic groups, countless languages, and traditions coexisting under one national identity, that is our reality. And yet, too often, our public discourse, our politics, and even our social interactions are dominated by what I can only describe as the “Emilokan” and “Awalokan” mentality. Enough is enough. It is time we embrace something more inclusive, more representative, and more unifying. It is time for “Gbogbo Nigeria Lo Kan”.  everyone in Nigeria matters.

Let’s start by understanding what I mean by “Emilokan” and “Awalokan.” These terms have become shorthand in local conversations for people who see politics, governance, and opportunities through the narrow lens of self-interest or sectional interest. “Emilokan”, the mindset that prioritizes your immediate circle, your community, your town, or your ethnic group above all else. “Awalokan”, the counterpart, where loyalty to a particular ideology, party, or leader blinds you to the bigger picture. In both cases, the mentality is rooted in exclusion, in tribalism, in partisanship. It is, simply put, a mindset that says, “What matters is me, my people, my ideology, and the rest can wait.”

For decades, this approach has dominated Nigeria’s political landscape. Elections, governance, and even social debates often hinge less on national development or social justice and more on how well a candidate can deliver for a specific ethnic group or region. Roads, schools, hospitals, and jobs are seen not as public goods, but as tools for patronage, a zero-sum game where someone else’s gain is considered your loss. It is a mindset that has left large swathes of the country chronically underdeveloped while a few regions benefit disproportionately.

Now, do not misunderstand me: loyalty to your community, to your hometown, or even to your cultural heritage is not inherently bad. Pride in where you come from can be a powerful motivator, a source of identity, and a reason to give back. The problem arises when that loyalty becomes exclusionary. When people start seeing Nigeria itself as secondary, or worse, as a competitor. When “my people first” becomes the default operating principle, national cohesion suffers. And it is not just politics; it is in business, in media, in education, even in social media debates. Everywhere you look, we are stuck in a cycle of narrow loyalties and zero-sum thinking.

Consider, for example, infrastructure development. One region might get a road, a bridge, or a university, not because it is strategically necessary for national growth, but because it aligns with the political interests of those in power. Meanwhile, other regions languish with potholes, collapsed bridges, and dilapidated schools. The country loses, but the narrative of “Emilokan” convinces everyone that this is normal, that resources must flow along tribal lines, and anyone who questions it is a troublemaker.

The same pattern emerges in our electoral politics. Campaigns are often less about ideas, policies, or solutions, and more about identity. Who you are, where you come from, and which group you belong to become the determining factor, while competence and vision take a backseat. The result? Leaders are elected for loyalty rather than ability, and citizens grow cynical, feeling powerless in a system that seems engineered to reward sectionalism rather than excellence.

This brings us to the alternative: “Gbogbo Nigeria Lo Kan.” Translated loosely, it means “All of Nigeria matters.” It is a philosophy that places the country above narrow loyalties, that values inclusivity, competence, and fairness. It is a mindset that says, “Your community, my community, the northeast, the south-south, the northwest, all of us are part of the national story, and no one is more important than the collective well-being.”

Why is this shift necessary? Because Nigeria is at a critical juncture. We are facing challenges that no single region, ethnic group, or political party can solve alone. From economic inequality to security threats, from infrastructure deficits to climate change, the problems are too large and too interconnected to be addressed with a “me-first” mentality. What we need is a mindset that prioritizes collective action and shared responsibility, a mindset that recognizes that the success of one Nigerian is the success of all Nigerians, and conversely, the failure of one threatens us all.

Let us look at the economic dimension. Nigeria has enormous potential: vast natural resources, a young population, and a growing digital economy. Yet, growth is uneven, and opportunities remain concentrated in a few regions and sectors. The “Emilokan” and “Awalokan” mindset reinforces these disparities by limiting access to jobs, contracts, and education along ethnic or political lines. “Gbogbo Nigeria Lo Kan” flips that script. It demands that we evaluate policies and opportunities based on merit, need, and national impact rather than who you know or where you come from. It is about building an economy that works for everyone, not just a select few.

Security is another arena where this shift is urgently needed. The threats we face, from banditry and insurgency to piracy and violent crime, are not confined to one state or one community. When security responses are driven by favoritism or sectional loyalty, entire regions suffer. When one group is prioritized while others are neglected, the sense of injustice fuels cycles of violence. A “Gbogbo Nigeria Lo Kan” approach would ensure that security measures, resource allocation, and emergency response are coordinated based on need, threat, and fairness, rather than political expediency.

Education and social cohesion are equally at stake. Students, teachers, and communities deserve a system that treats all Nigerians equally. Yet, under the current mindset, scholarships, school placements, and development projects are often doled out based on who you are and where you are from. Imagine a Nigeria where every student has equal access to quality education, regardless of their ethnic background or parental connections. Imagine a country where talent is nurtured and not wasted simply because of the lottery of birth. That is the promise of “Gbogbo Nigeria Lo Kan.”

Of course, this is easier said than done. Shifting a national mindset is never simple. It requires leadership, education, and a willingness to challenge entrenched power structures. Politicians, civil society, educators, and ordinary citizens all have a role to play. Leaders must champion policies that are fair, transparent, and inclusive. Media must highlight stories that unify rather than divide. Citizens must hold leaders accountable and reject the allure of narrow loyalty in favor of collective progress.

And yes, it also means confronting uncomfortable truths. We must acknowledge how deeply ingrained the “Emilokan” and “Awalokan” mindset is. We must recognize our own biases and complicity. It is tempting to cling to the familiar, to favor those who look like us or share our history. But comfort cannot replace justice, and convenience cannot replace progress. True patriotism is not about favoring your tribe or your town; it is about ensuring that Nigeria thrives as a whole.

Some might argue that this is idealistic, that a nation as diverse as Nigeria can never fully transcend sectionalism. To them, I say: maybe not overnight, but if we do not try, we are guaranteed stagnation. Progress requires vision, courage, and persistence. Every time we reject narrow loyalties in favor of national interest, we take a step closer to a more united, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria. Every time we embrace “Gbogbo Nigeria Lo Kan,” we send a message that inclusion and fairness are not just ideals but practical strategies for survival and success.

The time for incremental change has passed. The country cannot afford to be paralyzed by the politics of “Emilokan” and “Awalokan.” Our infrastructure, economy, security, and social fabric demand a new philosophy, one that recognizes that Nigeria’s challenges are collective and require collective solutions. “Gbogbo Nigeria Lo Kan” is more than a slogan; it is a call to action, a roadmap for national healing, and a framework for sustainable development.

In conclusion, the choice is clear. We can continue down the old path of sectionalism, favoritism, and exclusion, perpetuating cycles of inequality and mistrust. Or we can embrace a vision of Nigeria where every citizen, every region, and every community is valued, where decisions are guided by fairness, competence, and the national interest. “Gbogbo Nigeria Lo Kan” is not just aspirational; it is necessary. It is a reminder that our collective future depends not on the success of a few, but on the well-being of all.

Enough of “Emilokan” and “Awalokan.” The time for narrow-minded loyalties is over. The time for “Gbogbo Nigeria Lo Kan” is now.