Abuja: The lingering effects of colonialism continue to shape the lives of many Nigerians, creating a disconnect between their cultural heritage and contemporary identities. A personal narrative reveals the struggle of growing up in Nigeria yet feeling alienated from one’s roots. Despite being just three hours away from his father’s village, the narrator feels like a stranger, highlighting a broader theme of cultural displacement.

According to Global Voices, the narrator’s father, born in 1960—the year Nigeria gained independence from Britain—was deeply influenced by colonialism. This influence extended to the next generation, as many Nigerian families prioritize foreign education for their children. The increasing preference for British and American curricula has sparked concerns among local educators like Professor Benneth Uzoechi, who warns that such educational choices do not promote cultural identity. The shift is evident, as the number of Nigerian students receiving UK study visas has skyrocketed in recent years.

Research shows a decline in the fluency of Indigenous languages among young Nigerians, particularly those in urban areas. Surveys indicate that only 27-30 percent of youth aged 5-18 can speak their mother tongue well, compared to nearly 90 percent of older generations. This linguistic shift underscores the cultural gap faced by many young Nigerians.

The narrator’s epiphany came during a Global Voices Summit in Nepal, where the difficulty of translating a poem into his mother tongue exposed the extent of his disconnection from his cultural roots. This moment of reckoning is not unique, as many Africans educated in Western systems experience a similar disconnection from their heritage.

The article highlights the complex nature of colonial rule in Nigeria, where direct and indirect governance methods varied across regions. The legacy of colonialism persists today, with European languages dominating formal settings in former colonies. This linguistic dominance often comes at the expense of Indigenous languages and cultural continuity.

The narrator now consciously works to dismantle the residual effects of colonialism on his identity. By embracing self-awareness and actively unlearning the internalized belief in the superiority of foreign influences, he seeks to reconnect with his cultural heritage. This journey reflects a broader movement among Africans to reclaim their cultural identity in a post-colonial world.