FACTCHECK: Is Yoruba the largest ethnic group in Africa as claimed by US official ?

 

By Pascal Ibe

A female United States official has claimed in a viral video that Yoruba ethnic group is the largest in Africa.

The unnamed US female official made the claim while delivering a speech at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Harrisburg, USA.

In the viral video on TikTok and X(formerly) Twitter) which trended at about five days ago, the occasion was convened to honour the Yoruba respected monarch, Oni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

 

While introducing the Yoruba spiritual leader, the female official said, “introducing his imperial Majesty, Oni Adeyeye Ogunwusi(Oni of Ife), he’s the traditional ruler of more than 200 million members worldwide of the Yoruba ethnic and religious group. It’s centered in Nigeria.

“THE YORUBA, THE LARGEST ETHNIC GROUP OF AFRICA .In addition to Nigeria, significant population, Yorubas reside in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo and other countries around the world.

Speaking further, “the Yoruba people has a long history , many were victims of Atlantis slave trade which is evident by the community that grow in Brazil, Cuba, Grenada, St Lucius, United States and Canada.

Watch full video bellow👇

https://we.tl/t-qM5KwoFYZP

Confirming the event, The Nigerians In Diaspora Commission @nidcom_gov on X shared a post by @whatsappblog9ja with #proudlyniigerian.

On TikTok, @ayobamiokunade shared the same post.

Also on X, @Yorubaness posted the video and captioned it, “USA declares Yoruba as the largest ethnic group in Africa”.

The post @Yorubaness attracted over 42k views and 1k likes.

FINDINGS

But checked to verify this claim, on Study.com, the Hausa ethnic was ranked first with a population of 78 million while Yoruba and Berber were listed second and third respectively.

According to thinkafrica.net, the Hausa is q huge tribe and the largest of the 10 largest tribes of Africa with an estimated population of 74 million.

Citing BomaTeam, Hausa ranked first with 78 million population.

VERDICT
The claim by an official of Pennsylvania House of Representatives that Yoruba is the largest ethnic group in Africa is FALSE.