Nigeria: Information on the demographic profile of Port Harcourt, including the percentage of Igbo residents; whether Igbo who relocate to Port Harcourt experience social, economic or linguistic difficulties

Information on the demographic profile of Port Harcourt and the situation of the Igbo living there was limited among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. However, a professor of anthropology at the University of Washington, who has undertaken substantial research on the Igbo in Nigeria, provided the following information in 19 October 2010 correspondence with the Research Directorate:

The Igbo are "very much a minority" in Port Harcourt; the city is dominated by coastal peoples, including the Ikwerre, Ijaw and Ogoni, among others.

English, which is the official language of Nigeria, is commonly spoken in Port Harcourt. Many people who live in Port Harcourt are highly educated and have learned English at school. If an Igbo can speak English, "language should not be an issue." However, some non-Igbo may prefer to speak in their mother tongue, in which case an Igbo individual would have difficulty communicating with the person.

While there is a "low level of hostility" towards Igbo people in Port Harcourt, an Igbo is unlikely to experience "severe discrimination" or to be "in danger"-with the possible exception of an Igbo who was working for an oil company. Such an individual might be targeted by armed gangs in the city who protest that oil revenues do not go to coastal areas.

It is doubtful that discrimination against Igbo people is so strong that an Igbo could not find some form of employment in Port Harcourt. However, it would still be more difficult for an Igbo to find employment than it would be for an Ikwere or one of the other coastal peoples.

In addition, teaching and civil service jobs go to people who were born in the state -with the exception of teaching jobs at federal universities located in the state. Although an Igbo who was born in Rivers State would theoretically be eligible to apply for a civil service or teaching job, in practice the individual may still not be hired, even if he or she has met all the requirements of the job.

Further or corroborating information could not be found within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

Professor of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle Washington. 19 October 2010. Correspondence.

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Researchers from Chicago State University, Redeemer's University [Redemption City, Nigeria], the University of Agriculture [Abeokuta, Nigeria], the Univerity of Manitoba, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), the University of Port Harcourt and the University of Science and Technology [Port Harcourt] were unable to provide information within the time constraints of this Response.

Publications, including: Africa Development, African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, European Journal of Social Sciences, Studies in State Conflict and Terrorism.

Internet sites, including: African Policy Information Center (APIC), Amnesty International (AI), Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Human Rights Watch, Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), International Crisis Group, Minority Rights Group International (MRG), Rivers State Government, United States Department of State.