Lifestyle
Malcolm X’s Visit to Nigeria: The Homecoming of “Omowale”
How the 1964 visit of Malcolm X to Nigeria deepened his connection to Africa and shaped his global vision of justice
In May 1964, one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, Malcolm X, set foot on Nigerian soil during a transformative journey across Africa and the Middle East. His visit was more than a diplomatic or cultural exchange — it was a spiritual homecoming, one that forged an enduring bond between the African-American struggle and the African continent.
The African Pilgrimage
Having recently left the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X embarked on a global tour that took him through Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and several other nations. This journey marked the rebirth of his worldview — from one rooted in racial separatism to a more inclusive call for global human rights.
Arriving from Egypt on May 6, 1964, Malcolm X was welcomed warmly in Nigeria. His presence captured the imagination of many students and intellectuals who saw him as a symbol of Black pride and resistance.
During his stay, he visited the University of Ibadan, where he addressed students about African unity, racial identity, and liberation. It was here that he was bestowed the Yoruba name “Omowale,” meaning “the child has returned home.”
Malcolm later recalled the moment with deep emotion:
> “When I was in Ibadan at the University of Ibadan last Friday night, the students there gave me a new name, Omowale, which they say means in Yoruba ‘The child has returned.’ It was an honor.”
The gesture resonated deeply with him — it symbolised his reconnection with the continent from which his ancestors had been torn centuries earlier.
Encounters in Nigeria
Photographs from the visit show Malcolm X interacting with Nigerian students and intellectuals, including Iyabo Attah (left) and Ronke Ademola (right). The warmth of his reception and the intellectual exchange he experienced in Nigeria profoundly influenced his thinking.
At the University of Ibadan, Malcolm’s discussions revolved around pan-Africanism, the importance of solidarity between Africans and the African diaspora, and the need for unity in the fight against oppression.
His Nigerian hosts admired his fearlessness and eloquence, while he admired their pride in African identity and their commitment to independence and progress. The meeting between Malcolm and Nigerian students became a symbolic bridge linking African and African-American struggles for dignity and equality.
A Shift in Vision
Before his trip, Malcolm X’s activism had largely been framed within the context of Black nationalism in America. However, his experiences in Africa — particularly in Nigeria — reshaped his philosophy.
He began to see racism not as an isolated American issue but as part of a global system of oppression. Nigeria’s newly independent society, full of optimism and self-determination, inspired him to imagine a future where Africans and African descendants worldwide could stand united in political and spiritual strength.
Following his visit to Africa and his pilgrimage to Mecca, Malcolm embraced Sunni Islam and adopted the name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. His message evolved to emphasise universal human rights, global justice, and solidarity among oppressed peoples.
Legacy of “Omowale”
Malcolm X’s visit to Nigeria remains one of the most historically significant connections between African-Americans and Nigeria. The name Omowale became not just a title but a symbol of return, reconciliation, and belonging.
In the years that followed, his life and assassination in 1965 inspired many Nigerian intellectuals, writers, and activists who viewed him as a brother whose journey completed the spiritual circle of the African diaspora.
Today, Malcolm X’s legacy continues to live in Nigeria — in classrooms, among civil rights advocates, and within the shared narrative of global Black identity. His 1964 visit stands as a timeless reminder that Africa is not only a geographical origin but a spiritual home for its scattered children.
References
ANTe Archives
The Autobiography of Malcolm X, as told to Alex Haley.
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