On Nigerian social media, the mention of Igbo Muslims often causes shock or disbelief. Many people act as if being Igbo and being Muslim cannot go together. But this reaction is less about religion and more about fear, especially the fear of Islamizing Nigeria.
For a lot of people online, Islam is no longer seen as just a faith. It is seen as a political tool linked to power and control in Nigeria. Because of this, when an Igbo person becomes Muslim, it is wrongly viewed as supporting a hidden political agenda rather than making a personal religious choice. This fear has deep roots. Over time, Christianity became closely tied to Igbo identity, while Islam became associated with government power and northern dominance.
Social media turns this history into a simple story: Islam means politics, and politics means control.But this thinking ignores reality. Igbo Muslims are few in number, have little political influence, and are often rejected by both sides. They face suspicion from their own ethnic group and are rarely embraced by political power. Their existence does not mean Nigeria is being Islamized, it only shows how much Nigerians struggle to separate faith from politics.
In the end, the debate is not really about Igbo Muslims. It is about trust. It is about whether Nigerians can accept that someone’s religion does not automatically define their political loyalty. Until that happens, fear will continue to shape conversations more than facts.
See more: https://www.theguardian.ng/features/friday-worship/igbo-muslims-demand-better-representation-in-politics-public-space/