By MOHAMMED DANBABA
An advocacy group identifying itself as the Guguwar Hausawa Tsantsa Movement – Mesa Ta Tashi has formally written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for the official separation of Hausa and Fulani identities in all federal matters across Nigeria.
The open letter, signed by Hajiya Kaltume Alumbe Jitami, frames the demand as a long-overdue administrative correction rather than a call for ethnic hostility. According to the group, the decades-long classification of Hausa and Fulani as a single bloc in government records has disadvantaged the Hausawa people in education, employment, political representation, and national data planning.
Hausawa Seek Distinct Recognition in Federal Records
In the letter addressed directly to President Tinubu, the group argues that the persistent merging of Hausa and Fulani identities has resulted in systemic imbalance. They insist that Hausawa and Fulani are distinct ethnic groups and should be treated as such in all official Nigerian records.
The movement says this distinction must apply across federal employment processes, educational assessments, population data, and political documentation. It stresses that the current structure undermines fairness and makes it difficult to measure the true population size, contributions, and challenges of the Hausawa people.
According to the group, this lack of clarity has negatively affected Hausawa candidates in competitive spaces where ethnicity, federal character, and regional representation play critical roles.
Call for Policy Changes in Education and Employment
A major part of the request focuses on Nigeria’s education and recruitment systems. The group wants federal institutions and examination bodies such as WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and MBais-affiliated certifications to adopt policies that clearly distinguish between Hausa and Fulani candidates.
They also want the separation reflected in admissions, promotions, scholarships, and appointments across tertiary institutions and government agencies.
To ensure compliance, the movement is asking the Federal Government to issue a formal circular mandating all relevant agencies to recognize Hausa and Fulani as separate ethnic identities in their records and decision-making processes.
Demand for Accurate Census Data in the Northwest
The open letter further raises concerns about census accuracy, particularly in Nigeria’s Northwestern states, where Hausa and Fulani populations are often counted together.
The group insists that future census exercises must distinctly identify Hausa and Fulani populations to ensure fair political representation, equitable resource allocation, and effective national planning.
They argue that without disaggregated data, policymakers cannot accurately address the social and economic needs of each group, leading to flawed interventions and misplaced priorities.
NIMC and INEC Urged to Update Identity Documentation
Beyond education and census matters, the Hausawa group is also demanding changes to Nigeria’s identity and electoral systems.
They specifically call on the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and electoral authorities to ensure that “Hausa” is clearly written on national identity cards and voter registration documents for individuals who identify as such.
According to the movement, this step would prevent misclassification, identity loss, and administrative confusion, especially during recruitment, elections, and policy implementation tied to ethnic representation.
Conditional Political Support for Tinubu’s Second Term
In a politically significant section of the letter, the group openly links its demand to future electoral support.
The Hausawa movement declares its readiness to mobilize nationwide support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition, but only if their request for the separation of Hausa and Fulani identities is formally approved and implemented.
They describe this support as “collective, deliberate, and vote-driven,” signaling an organized political stance rather than a symbolic endorsement.
However, the letter emphasizes that this condition is rooted in principle, not coercion. The group frames the demand as a test of the administration’s commitment to inclusivity, equity, and respect for Nigeria’s diverse ethnic identities.
Group Says Demand Is About Justice, Not Division
Anticipating public concern, the movement is careful to state that its request is not intended to promote division, hatred, or hostility between ethnic groups.
Instead, it argues that clear identity recognition strengthens national unity by addressing long-standing grievances through lawful and administrative means. According to the group, unresolved identity issues often fuel resentment and misunderstanding within public institutions.
They believe that separating Hausa and Fulani identities in federal records will promote transparency, reduce tension, and ensure that merit and representation are assessed fairly within the correct ethnic context.
Call for Urgent Federal Response
In its concluding remarks, the group urges President Tinubu and the Federal Government to treat the appeal with urgency and sincerity.
They describe the requested reform as a historic opportunity to rebuild trust among Hausawa communities and to ensure that their population size, contributions, and rights are properly acknowledged within the Nigerian federation.
The letter is signed by Hajiya Kaltume Alumbe Jitami on behalf of the Guguwar Hausawa Tsantsa Movement – Mesa Ta Tashi, marking what observers see as a potentially significant development in Nigeria’s ongoing conversation around identity, representation, and federal character.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Presidency or relevant federal agencies.
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