# Neo Black Movement of Africa

The Neo Black Movement of Africa is an international confraternity. It was established in 1977 at the University of Benin in Nigeria as part of the Pan-African movement.

## History

On July 7, 1977, nine students from the University of Benin, led by Nicholas Idemudia started the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM), a male brotherhood focused on "intellectual radicalism in pursuit of Pan-African struggles." With the support of M. Angulu Onwuejiogwu, a professor of history and anthropology at the university, the founders of the NBM were:
* Marvel Akpoyibo
* Uche Alumona
* Tokunbo Brown
* Gbolahom Dosunmu
* Godwin Ehigiator
* Nicholas Idemudia
* Bernard Ojishua
* Olagungu Ojo
* John Okogie
The NBM formed as a response to the reported excesses of National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates), a similar group established in 1952. NBM became a prominent group at many universities in Nigeria during the 1980s. Its leaders then decided to connect with the Neo black movement of Africa, calling itself a brotherhood focusing on black realism and determinism.
The Neo-Black Movement of Africa was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission under the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) on February 24, 1994, with registration No 7729. As of 2024, it has around one million members. Its headquarters are in Amagba, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

## Symbols

The NBM's motto is "Social Justice and Equality/Equity for all." Its symbol is a black axe above two hands in chains, symbolically smashing the shackles of colonialism. This represents its readiness to confront difficult tasks and to break social injustice, along with other vices that limit humanity's progress.
Its colors are white, black, and yellow. Members wear white shirts, black pants, a yellow tie, and headgear consisting of a yellow ribbon. White represents harmony and purity of the body and mind, black represents sympathy with the Black race, and yellow represents the intelligence of its members.

## Activities

NBM's activities encourage African art, culture, and traditions, along with global peace. It holds a national convention annually in March. Members participate in "jollification", an event featuring Egede drums, music, and dancing. At the end of each year, the group hosts Black/African Nights that are open to non-members of all genders. Members participate in at least one charitable activity each year. Its priorities include climate change, education, food sovereignty, health, indigenous people, and water.

## Controversies and member misconduct

In February 2024, the Neo Black Movement of Africa publicly disassociated itself from the Black Axe, a criminal subgroup of the confraternity that formed in 1994. In January 2024, NBM published a list of 24 expelled members who were associated with Black Axe, followed by a list of 27 expelled members in July 2024. The latter included four former NBM national presidents. However, various publications refer to NBM and Black Axe as synonymous, including the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. In April 2024, reporter Biaca Bridger wrote, "Due to the secretive nature of the group it is difficult to ascertain the alleged links between the Neo-Black Movement and Black Axe. However, throughout Nigeria, the two groups are synonymous, with their members taking part in organized crime, human trafficking and money laundering."

## Chapters

NBM refers to its campus chapters as temples. As of 2013, its temples were at the following Nigerian colleges and universities, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters and institutions in italics.
| Chapter | Charter date | Institution | Location | Status |
| Futa Jallon | July 7, 1977 | University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus | Benin City, Edo State | Active |
| Adamawa | | Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu | Enugu, Enugu State | Active |
| Agemo | | Tai Solarin University of Education | Ijebu Ode, Ogun State | Active |
| Agulu Lake | | Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education | Owerri, Imo State | Active |
| Ajayi Crowther | | Kogi State Polytechnic | Lokoja, Kogi State | Active |
| Alabata | | Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta | Abeokuta, Ogun State | Active |
| Amba loko | | College of Education, Katsina-Ala | Katsina-Ala, Benue State | Active |
| Asa | | Kwara State Polytechnic | Ilorin, Kwara State | Active |
| Ashanti | | Delta State University of Science and Technology | Ozoro, Delta State | Active |
| Azania | | College of Education, Warri | Warri, Delta State | Active |
| Bakassi | | University of Cross River State | Calabar, Cross River State | Active |
| Barkin Kada | | Kaduna Polytechnic | Kaduna, Kaduna State | Active |
| Benikrukru | | Rivers State University | Port Harcourt, Rivers State | Active |
| Bermuda 1 | | University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus | Nsukka, Enugu State | Active |
| Bermuda 2 | | University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus | Enugu, Enugu State | Active |
| Biafra | | Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic | Unwana, Ebonyi State | Active |
| Damissa | | Ahmadu Bello University | Zaria, Kaduna State | Active |
| Egbesu | | Niger Delta University, Yenagoa Campus | Yenagoa, Bayelsa State | Active |
| Ekamba | | Uyo City Polytechnic | Uyo, Akwa Ibom State | Active |
| Ekpe | | Abia State Polytechnic | Aba, Abia State | Active |
| El-Kanemi | | Benue State Polytechnic | Okpokwu, Benue State | Active |
| Eluku | | Lagos State University of Science and Technology | Ikorodu, Lagos State | Active |
| Ese-Ovia | | Benin Polytechnic | Benin City, Edo State | Active |
| Eti-oni | | Osun State College of Technology | Esa-Oke, Osun State | Active |
| Eti-Osa | | Yaba College of Technology | Lagos, Lagos State | Active |
| Ewekoko | | Lagos State University | Ojo, Lagos State | Active |
| Futa Jallon 2 | | University of Benin, Ekenwan Campus | Benin City, Edo State | Active |
| Gwadana | | Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa | Nasarawa, Nasarawa State | Active |
| Idi Ogun | | Federal Polytechnic, Offa | Offa, Kwara State | Active |
| Ifi 1 | | University of Agriculture, Makurdi | Makurdi, Benue State | Active |
| Ifi 2 | | Benue State University | Makurdi, Benue State | Active |
| Igbosere | | Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology | Victoria Island, Lagos State | Active |
| Igogo | | Rufus Giwa Polytechnic | Owo, Ondo State | Active |
| Ikenga | | Federal Polytechnic, Nekede | Nekede, Owerri West | Active |
| Ikogosi | | Federal University of Technology Akure | Akure, Ondo State | Active |
| Ikogosi 1 | | Adeyemi College of Education | Ondo, Ondo State | Active |
| Ikoro | | Michael Okpara University of Agriculture | Umudike, Abia State | Active |
| Ikpitan | | Federal College of Education Technical, Ekiadolor | Benin City, Edo State | Active |
| Inikpi Dragon | | Federal Polytechnic, Idah | Idah, Kogi State | Active |
| Kalakuta | | Federal Polytechnic, Oko | Oko, Anambra State | Active |
| Kanem Bornu | | Auchi Polytechnic | Auchi, Edo State | Active |
| Kanta Bakassi | | University of Cross River State, Calabar Campus | Calabar, Cross River State | Active |
| Kanta Benikrukru | | Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic | Bori City, Rivers State | Active |
| Kanta Ethiopia | | Delta State University, Abraka | Abraka, Delta State | Active |
| Kanta Okemini | | Madonna University, Okija Campus | Okija, Anambra State | Active |
| Katanga | | Abia State University | Uturu, Abia State | Active |
| Kenneth Kaunda | | Imo State University | Owerri, Imo State | Active |
| Kilimanjaro | | Enugu State University of Science and Technology | Enugu, Enugu State | Active |
| Kiriji | | University of Lagos | Lagos, Lagos State | Active |
| Kofina | | Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic | Zaria Kaduna State | Active |
| Koma | | Modibbo Adama Federal University of Technology, Yola | Girei, Adamawa State | Active |
| Kudeti | | The Polytechnic, Ibadan | Ibadan, Oyo State | Active |
| Kudeti 2 | | Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa | Eruwa, Oyo State | Active |
| Lake Alor | | Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku | Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State | Active |
| Lake Chad | | University of Maiduguri | Maiduguri, Borno State | Active |
| Limpopo | | Bendel State College of Agriculture | Anwai, Bendel State | Inactive |
| Moriqua | | University of Calabar | Calabar, Cross River State | Active |
| Naraguta | | Federal University of Technology, Owerri | Owerri, Imo State | Active |
| Obanta | | Olabisi Onabanjo University | Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State | Active |
| Odudu | | Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic | Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State | Active |
| Oduduwa | | Obafemi Awolowo University | Ile-Ife, Osun State | Active |
| Ofu | | Prince Abubakar Audu University | Anyigba, Kogi State | Active |
| Ofuobi | | Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba | Asaba, Delta State | Active |
| Ogbuide | | Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University | Uli, Anambra State | Active |
| Ogoni | | Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University | Bauchi, Bauchi State | Active |
| Ogunpa | | University of Ibadan | Ibadan, Oyo State | Active |
| Okemeje | | Osun State Polytechnic | Iree, Osun State | Active |
| Okemini | | University of Port Harcourt | Port Harcourt | Active |
| Oke-Ovia | | Edo State College of Agriculture Iguoriakhi | Iguoriakhi, Edo State | Active |
| Oloibiri | | Federal University of Petroleum Resources | Effurun, Delta State | Active |
| Olumo | | Moshood Abiola Polytechnic | Abeokuta, Ogun State | Active |
| Oroona | | Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro | Ilaro, Ogun State | Active |
| Qua | | Heritage Polytechnic | Eket, Akwa Ibom State | Active |
| River Benue | | Nasarawa State University | Keffi, Nasarawa State | Active |
| Rocky Olota | | Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti | Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State | Active |
| Rwanda | | Ramat Polytechnic | Maiduguri, Borno State | Active |
| Sahara | | Usuman Danfodiyo University | Sokoto, Sokoto State | Active |
| Sanaga | | Igbinedion University, Okada | Okada, Edo State | Active |
| Sancta Ika | | University of Delta, Agbor Campus | Agbor, Delta State | Active |
| Sardauna | | Federal Polytechnic, Mubi | Mubi, Adamawa State | Active |
| Shango | | University of Uyo | Uyo, Akwa Ibom State | Active |
| Shiroro | | Federal University of Technology | Minna, Niger State | Active |
| Somalia | | University of Abuja | Abuja | Active |
| Soun | | Ladoke Akintola University of Technology | Ogbomoso, Oyo State | Active |
| Soweto | | Ebonyi State University | Abakaliki, Ebonyi State | Active |
| Sub Damissa | | Bayero University Kano | Kano, Kano State | Active |
| Sub Etiosa | | Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka | Akoka, Lagos State | Active |
| Swem Karagbe | | Fidei Polytechnic, Gboko | Gboko, Benue State | Active |
| Udi | | Ambrose Alli University | Ekpoma, Edo State | Active |
| Zambezi | | Nnamdi Azikiwe University | Awka, Anambra State | Active |
| Zarama | | University of Jos | Jos, Plateau State | Active |
| Zobi | | University of Ilorin | Ilorin, Kwara State | Active |
| Zuma | | Dorben Polytechnic | Garam, Niger State, | Active |
* ↑ Chapter formed at Kogi State University, which became Prince Abubakar Audu University in 2020.
* ↑ Chapter formed at Anambra State University of Science & Technology, now Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
* ↑ Chapter was formed when the polytechnic was at its original location in Bwari, Abuja.