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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:'Scapegoats' and 'sacred cows': reactions to the immigrant expulsion of 1983 in Nigeria
Author:Osiki, Omon Merry
Year:2013
Periodical:Lagos Historical Review (ISSN 1596-5031)
Volume:13
Pages:51-70
Language:English
Geographic term:Nigeria
Subjects:immigrants
deportation
1983
discrimination
economic conditions
Abstract:The 1983 mass expulsion of immigrants was ostensibly intended to free Nigeria of 'extra loads' in response to the aftermath of the global economic crunch that bedevilled the country at the time. Although the exercise was challenging enough for the affected African immigrants, the realization that they were treated like cannon fodder and scapegoats while their Asian counterparts, received 'a pat on the back' made their condition more frustrating. This work revisits the debate on the 1983 mass expulsion with focus on public reactions to the seemingly discriminatory, anti-African and un-African posture of the Nigerian authorities in preference for Asian immigrants. It argues that in pursuing the policy of mass expulsion of Africans, the Nigerian authorities jettisoned the principle of 'brotherliness and good neighbourliness' in favour of the law of demand and supply. This dictated what could fairly be described as 'sacred cow' treatment for Asian immigrants. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]