In this deeply reflective episode of The Other Side, Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum explores the roots, identity, and modern-day politics of Nigeria’s Middle Belt. With raw historical detail and personal insight, he unpacks the controversy surrounding the term “Middle Belt,” its original vision, and the reasons it evokes strong reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape.
From the 1947 formation of the Middle Zone League to the establishment of the United Middle Belt Congress, this episode traces the struggles of ethnic minorities in Northern Nigeria who sought to assert their cultural identity and political voice in the face of religious and ethnic domination.
Rimamnde delves into colonial-era politics, the Willinks Commission, the geopolitics of the six zones created under Sani Abacha, and the lasting effects of indirect rule and jihadist conquest on political representation. The discussion touches on key historical figures like Bello Ijumu, Jonah Asadugu, Paul Bassi, and Sir Ahmadu Bello, with references to interviews and excerpts from Rimamnde’s edited book The Middle Belt.
He sheds light on how middle belt identities stretch beyond the North Central zone into parts of the North East and North West, spanning Gombe, Southern Borno, Taraba, Southern Kaduna, and more. These communities share a legacy of resistance, religious pluralism, and a collective struggle for autonomy.
Notably, the episode reflects on recent events in Southern Kaduna, including the creation and later dissolution of chiefdoms by successive governments — actions that have fueled local distrust and strengthened regional identity. Rimamnde also recommends his book The Middle Belt, available on Amazon, which compiles primary documents, rare interviews, and historical insights on this pivotal region.
Whether you’re a student of Nigerian history, a political analyst, or someone seeking to understand the present through the past, this episode offers compelling narratives and evidence about why the Middle Belt matters.
🔗 Read or get the book “The Middle Belt” free on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Middle-Belt-Selected-Readings/dp/B08BF2PNR7/ref=sr_1_4?crid=341N92XBFELT4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.M0HUwh3RGTji7sacHIaezJYMxamyvt9EgaX80UJ63C7p79CMbjyqvD-0Rwm8Ukvz.yR6cnAQts5ntduzOlf8KR6XrC_XN4v-nEsFIpFGBOjI&dib_tag=se&keywords=rimamnde+Shawulu+Kwewum&qid=1754434336&sprefix=rimamnde+shawulu+kwewum%2Caps%2C586&sr=8-4
Timestamps and Key Themes:
• 00:15 – Introduction: Why the term “Middle Belt” divides opinion
• 01:30 – Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and how they were created
• 04:00 – Origins of the Middle Belt: The Middle Zone League and its evolution
• 07:20 – The Willinks Commission and fears of domination
• 10:15 – Testimony of Bello Ijumu on jihad and marginalization
• 12:45 – From exclusion to organizing: How ethnic groups united
• 16:00 – Contributions of Jonah Asadugu, Paul Bassi, and others
• 18:50 – Geographic and ethnic scope of the Middle Belt
• 21:00 – Colonial rule, imposed emirs, and indirect rule in non-Fulani regions
• 24:40 – Southern Kaduna’s struggle for local autonomy
• 26:30 – What Sardauna and colonial officers said about the Middle Belt
• 30:00 – How to get the book and continue the learning Join the conversation in the comments.
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