Gruesomely murdered 60 years ago, are you even aware of Malcolm X’s visit to Ibadan, Nigeria? The legendary African American activist and black nationalist leader, remains one of the most influential figures in the global fight against racial oppression. His assassination on February 21, 1965, marked the end of his life. However, his ideas and legacy continue to inspire movements for justice worldwide. Among his many travels, Malcolm X’s visit to Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1964 stands out as a key moment in his Pan-African journey.

Who is Malcolm X?

Born Malcolm Little in 1925, he became a key figure in the Nation of Islam after serving a jail term for one of his many petty crimes. He transformed himself in prison. He achieved this transformation through avid reading after meeting a man named John Bembry. He also connected with the message of the Nation of Islam through his siblings’ letters. He later left the divisive, unislamic view of the Nation of Islam. He embraced a broader vision of Black unity and self-determination after his pilgrimage to Mecca. His speeches and activism made him one of the most influential voices in the fight against racial injustice.

Malcolm X’s Vision and His Connection to Africa

Malcolm X’s transformation from a Nation of Islam spokesperson to an advocate for global Black unity led him to visit several African countries. His experiences in Africa shaped his evolving ideology, where he sought to establish strong ties between African nations and African Americans. He believed that the struggle for civil rights in the U.S. was intrinsically linked to the liberation movements occurring across the African continent.

Malcolm X in Africa

In 1964, Malcolm X embarked on a transformative journey to Africa, visiting several countries, including Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. During his travels, he met with African leaders, intellectuals, and revolutionaries, strengthening his belief in Pan-Africanism and the global struggle for Black liberation. His time in Africa deepened his perspective on racial solidarity beyond the United States, inspiring him to advocate for human rights on an international stage.

Malcolm X’s Visit to Ibadan, Nigeria

Malcolm X visited Nigeria twice, first in 1959 and later in 1964. His first visit was to arrange a tour for Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam. However, it was his second visit in 1964 that cemented his deep connection to Nigeria and, specifically, to Ibadan. This was at the point of his split with Elijah Muhammad and a part of his broader travel around the Muslim and African world. This included his iconic pilgrimage to Mecca which transformed his view into the traditional Islamic message.

During his time in Ibadan, Malcolm X delivered an electrifying speech at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan. His words resonated with students and intellectuals, reinforcing the idea of a united global struggle against racial oppression. His powerful rhetoric and presence left a lasting impression on the Nigerian audience, inspiring many to take pride in their African heritage and identity.

Honoured as ‘Omowale’ – A Son Returns Home

One of the most significant moments of Malcolm X’s visit to Ibadan was when the Muslim Students’ Society at the University of Ibadan bestowed upon him the Yoruba name ‘Omowale,’ which means ‘the child has come home’. This name signified a symbolic homecoming for Malcolm X, reinforcing the deep cultural and ancestral ties between African Americans and their African roots.

In a press conference upon his return to New York, Malcolm X expressed his gratitude, stating that the reception given to him by Nigerian students was one of the highest honours he had ever received in his life. This moment reaffirmed his belief that the fight for Black liberation was not just an American struggle but a global one.

He would be assassinated a year later at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan. Interestingly, it was an event organized by his newly founded Organization of Afro-American Unity, itself a model of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) which he witnessed and got impressed by on his visit to Africa.

May The Lord rest the soul of our Shining Black Prince.