By Idoko Nafisat Chiamaka
As I stepped into the Ikare Akoko Ondo orientation camp on 29th July, 2025, at 6:00 pm, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions.
My name is Abdul-karim Nafisat Chiamaka, and I was about to embark on a unique journey as an Igbo Muslim in the National Youth Service Corps.
Upon arrival, the NYSC officials at the gate collected my files and and noticed my name and afterwards my attire. “Are you Igbo or Yoruba?”, one of the officials asked. “I’m Igbo”, I replied. He raised eyebrows and asked, “Why do you dress like Yorubas and Hausas?” I smiled and answered, “Because I’m a Muslim.” To my surprise, he jested and encouraged me to stand strong in my faith, although some of his colleagues seemed skeptical.
Oh my God! It was during Documentation that I answered a hail of questions from ondo NYSC officials.
“Nafisat Chiamaka, are you Yoruba?” No ma I am Igbo. “Is your father Igbo?” Yes ma. “Is your mother Yoruba?” No ma. “So your parents are Igbo and Muslim?” Yes ma. “Nafisat, you are unique and I want you to hold on to your Deen and may Almighty Allah make it easy for you” Ameeen.
“Honestly, this is the first time I am seeing an Igbo Muslim.”
This wasn’t the only time I had face questions about my identity. In the hostel, my fellow corps members (corpers) asked similar questions, which some even suggesting that I must be married to a Yoruba or Hausa man and converted to Islam. Some said it was their first time seeing Igbo Muslim some while some surmised that maybe “they paid me to embrace Islam.” But the truth is, I come from a Muslim family, born and raised in the faith. It’s disheartening when people don’t understand the difference between RELIGION and TRIBE.
During the parade, soldiers would be calling me Alhaja and be speaking Yoruba. whenever I opened my mouth to make it clear to them that I don’t understand Yoruba, boom! similar questions and they got surprised with my answers.Get ready for the next chapter.
