Article Details

This paper examines “Agbokim-Obi and the Non-Indigenes Relationship between 1900 and 2020”. It examines the historical dynamics of interaction between the indigenous people of Agbokim-Obi, Agbokim Waterfall in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, and non-indigenous populations. While scholarly attention has often focused on major ethnic groups and conflict-driven narratives in Nigeria, the patterns of coexistence, cooperation and tension between minority communities and the non-indigenous population in local settings such as Agbokim remain underexplored. This study seeks to fill this gap by interrogating the economic, political, and socio-cultural dimensions of these relationships since the colonial period. Adopting a qualitative research approach, data were generated from both primary and secondary sources. The study is anchored in Intergroup Contact Theory, which posits that sustained interactions between different groups, under appropriate conditions, can reduce prejudice and foster mutual understanding. Findings reveal that relations between Agbokim indigenes and non-indigenes have evolved, shaped by colonial administrative policies, migration, economic opportunities (including informal ones), and changing political structures, while also acknowledging periods of peaceful coexistence and tension. The study concludes that the nature of indigene–non-indigene relations in Agbokim reflects broader challenges of identity, belonging, and integration in Nigeria. It underscores the relevance of sustained intergroup engagement in promoting social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. Ultimately, the research contributes to ongoing discussions on nation-building, minority experiences, and inter-ethnic relations in Nigeria.

Agbokim-Obi, indigenes, non-indigenes, intergroup relations, Intergroup Contact Theory,