Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Urges Reclaiming Igbo Identity for Cultural Unity and Sustainable Growth at Enugu’s Things Fall Apart Festival

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Call to Reclaim Igbo Identity: Lessons for Business, Culture, and Society

A Literary Festival’s Deeper Resonance

In the heart of Enugu, Nigeria, the Things Fall Apart festival unfolded not merely as a commemoration of Chinua Achebe’s literary masterpiece, but as a poignant forum for reckoning with the turbulent state of Igbo identity. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, herself a product of Enugu’s storied soil, delivered a keynote that radiated far beyond the festival’s boundaries. Her words became a clarion call—urging a fractured community to look inward, to mourn what is lost, and to reclaim what remains before it slips beyond memory.

Adichie’s lament, “it no longer feels like home,” echoed through the festival’s halls, capturing a collective grief for a society where violence and fragmentation now threaten the very essence of belonging. The rise in ritual killings, particularly targeting women, is not just a local tragedy; it is a signal of profound ethical and social disarray. In a region once defined by the sacredness of communal bonds, such acts reveal how quickly foundational values can unravel under the strain of modern pressures—political, economic, and existential.

Cultural Erosion and Economic Stakes

The implications of this cultural unraveling extend well beyond the realm of literature or tradition. For business leaders and policymakers, the erosion of shared values is not a distant concern—it is a direct threat to the stability and vibrancy of the market itself. Trust, cohesion, and a sense of collective purpose are the invisible scaffolding upon which thriving economies are built. When these are compromised, so too is the potential for sustainable growth.

Enugu, with its rich heritage, stands at a crossroads. In a global economy where cultural branding and heritage tourism are increasingly lucrative, the loss of narrative coherence and communal identity can render a region invisible or, worse, uninviting to investment. The unique cultural assets that could position Enugu as a beacon for both domestic and international tourism risk being overshadowed by instability and negative headlines. For forward-thinking investors, this is a call to action: economic development cannot be disentangled from the preservation of cultural heritage.

Identity, Unity, and the Global Context

Adichie’s insistence on internal unity before external advocacy resonates far beyond Nigeria’s borders. Her words capture a tension at the heart of global geopolitics: the struggle of indigenous communities to assert their narratives in the face of both state overreach and the flattening effects of globalization. The separatist movements and violence roiling the region are not isolated phenomena; they are part of a broader global pattern where local identities push back against homogenizing forces.

This dynamic demands a nuanced approach from both regulators and corporate actors. Safeguarding minority cultures is not merely a matter of social justice—it is a strategic imperative in a world where authenticity and diversity are prized assets. Equitable economic development must be designed to uplift without erasing, to modernize without eroding the cultural bedrock that gives communities their unique character.

Literature as Ethical Compass and Catalyst

Against this backdrop, the festival’s theatrical performances and artistic displays were more than cultural pageantry—they were acts of resistance and renewal. Literature, as Adichie and Achebe have long argued, is not just a mirror to society but a molder of its values. The renewed energy among the youth, inspired by these literary giants, signals the possibility of ethical revitalization—a movement that could ripple outward into public policy, business practice, and everyday life.

As the world accelerates into an era of rapid technological and political change, the lessons from Enugu are unmistakable. Sustainable progress requires more than innovation or capital; it demands a rootedness in history, a reverence for heritage, and an unwavering commitment to the values that bind communities together. For those charting the future—whether from boardrooms, government offices, or creative studios—the path forward is clear: the preservation of identity is not a backward-looking project, but the foundation of resilience and renewal in a fractured world.