Nigerian Case Study

• Class Notes Nigerian Background• DBQ Questions• Video Summary• Target Objective Breakdown

NigeriaNigeria

I.I. Public Authority & Political Public Authority & Political PowerPower

“National QuestionNational Question”: differing opinions about how political power should be distributed and how the government should be constructed.

In Nigeria differences are more distinct and run deeper than other countries

Since independence in 1960, neither its leaders nor its citizens agree on the basics of who should rule and how

Questions about whether Nigeria should remain one nation

Regional disagreements & hostilities Problems traditionally solved by military force and

authoritarianism

II.II. Constitutionalism

First constitution written in 1914 Eight constitutions between 1914 and 1995 Current constitution written in 1995 has been

heavily amended since its inception Acceptance of “constitutionalism” as a

guiding set of principles has eluded Nigeria

Military and civilian leaders have felt free to disobey and suspend constitutional principles or change constitutions not to their liking

Without constitutionalism the “National Question” has been much harder to answer

III. LegitimacyIII. Legitimacy

Nigeria is a relatively young country, achieving independence in 1960, this makes establishing legitimate government more difficult FragmentationFragmentation – tendency to fall apart along ethnic,

regional, and/or religious lines.

Contradictory Influence of the PastContradictory Influence of the Past – British colonial “rule of law” vs. Military rule/Personalized authority

CorruptionCorruption – both military and civilian rule tainted with corruption. Citizens question the payment of taxes that get deposited in personal bank accounts

General Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1993) General Sani Abacha (1993-1998)

IV. Precolonial Era (800-1600) IV. Precolonial Era (800-1600) “Political Traditions”“Political Traditions”

Trade ConnectionsTrade Connections – Sahara Desert “Golden Trade of the Moors”; Niger River & Ocean Access

Influence of IslamInfluence of Islam – Trade with North Africa put Hausa & other groups in contact with Arab education and Islam, sharia emerges as dominant political principle

Kinship-based PoliticsKinship-based Politics – village key political entity

Complex Political IdentitiesComplex Political Identities – contrast between centralized state and local governance. (Oyo & Ife centralized states in south vs. small trading-states in north)

Democratic ImpulsesDemocratic Impulses – accountability, representative government, and democracy practiced by many villages, including Yoruba and Igbo.

V. Colonial EraV. Colonial Era

Christianity Christianity – British introduction of Christianity created – British introduction of Christianity created a split between Christian and Muslim dominated areas. a split between Christian and Muslim dominated areas. Islam dominant in the north, Christianity in the south.Islam dominant in the north, Christianity in the south.

Intensification of Ethnic PoliticsIntensification of Ethnic Politics – – emergence of three emergence of three dominant groups: Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba. dominant groups: Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba.

British pitted groups against each other by promising rewards to some British pitted groups against each other by promising rewards to some groups but not others. groups but not others.

Anti-colonialism movement emerged during 20Anti-colonialism movement emerged during 20thth century appealed to century appealed to ethnic identities to gain followers and supporters of decolonizationethnic identities to gain followers and supporters of decolonization

VI. Independence Era (1960-Present) “Political Traditions”

Parliamentary vs. Presidential SystemParliamentary vs. Presidential System – Nigeria operated under parliamentary system from 1960-1979. Ethnic divisions made parliamentary system difficult, switched to presidential system with separate legislature and independent judiciary, but neither has been able to check power of the president

Intensification of Ethnic ConflictIntensification of Ethnic Conflict – After independence Hausa-Fulani dominated parliament because of large population. They formed a coalition with Igbo of the southeast to ensure their dominance, this created added tension and conflict with Yoruba of the west. In 1966 a group of Igbo military officers seized power.

Geographic InfluencesGeographic Influences

NorthwestNorthwest – – dominated by two groups that combined as the dominated by two groups that combined as the Hausa-Hausa-Fulani Fulani people, area is predominantly Muslim.people, area is predominantly Muslim.

NortheastNortheast – – area is home to many smaller groups, such as the Kunari, area is home to many smaller groups, such as the Kunari, also predominantly Muslim.also predominantly Muslim.

Middle BeltMiddle Belt – many smaller ethnic groups, mix of Muslims and – many smaller ethnic groups, mix of Muslims and Christians.Christians.

SouthwestSouthwest – – Yoruba dominate the area. They are about 40% Muslim, Yoruba dominate the area. They are about 40% Muslim, 40% Christian, and 20% native religions.40% Christian, and 20% native religions.

Southeast Southeast – area dominated by the Igbo, predominantly Roman – area dominated by the Igbo, predominantly Roman Catholic with some Protestant Christians as wellCatholic with some Protestant Christians as well

Southern ZoneSouthern Zone – – area along Niger River Delta, people are from area along Niger River Delta, people are from various small minority groups.various small minority groups.

VIII. Societal Characteristics & VIII. Societal Characteristics & ConcernsConcerns

PovertyPoverty – 60% of all Nigerians live below poverty line, with – 60% of all Nigerians live below poverty line, with many living in absolute poverty.many living in absolute poverty.

Gap between Rich & PoorGap between Rich & Poor – similar to Mexico, – similar to Mexico, however in Nigeria now growth is being made to alleviate this gap.however in Nigeria now growth is being made to alleviate this gap.

Health IssuesHealth Issues – high rates of HIV/AIDS, one in every eleven – high rates of HIV/AIDS, one in every eleven HIV/AIDS sufferers live in Nigeria.HIV/AIDS sufferers live in Nigeria.

Literacy Literacy – for males is 75.7% and for females 60.6% (World – for males is 75.7% and for females 60.6% (World averages are 83% men, 71% for women)averages are 83% men, 71% for women)

Attitudes toward GovernmentAttitudes toward Government

Citizens do not Trust Nigerian GovernmentCitizens do not Trust Nigerian Government

CorruptionCorruption

Military RuleMilitary Rule

Lack of Civil SocietyLack of Civil Society

No commitment toward DemocracyNo commitment toward Democracy

Babangida & Abacha (Corrupt - Military Babangida & Abacha (Corrupt - Military Authoritarianism)Authoritarianism)

Protests & Social MovementsProtests & Social Movements

Environmentalists (Ken Saro-Wiwa)Environmentalists (Ken Saro-Wiwa) Targeted the international oil companies, especially in Targeted the international oil companies, especially in

the Niger River Deltathe Niger River Delta In 2002 group of Ijaw women occupied In 2002 group of Ijaw women occupied

ChevronTexaco’s Nigerian headquarters for 10 daysChevronTexaco’s Nigerian headquarters for 10 days

Ethnic groupsEthnic groups

Women’s MovementWomen’s Movement President Obasanjo made it part of his 2003 campaign President Obasanjo made it part of his 2003 campaign

to include more women in cabinet and bureaucratic to include more women in cabinet and bureaucratic officesoffices

Nigerian legislature has very low female Nigerian legislature has very low female representationrepresentation

6.4% in House of Representatives6.4% in House of Representatives 3.7% in Senate3.7% in Senate

Political Parties IPolitical Parties I

People’s Democratic Party (PDP)People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Well-established PartyWell-established Party Began running candidates in 1998Began running candidates in 1998 Party of President Olesugun Obesanjo (Igbo, Christian from the North)Party of President Olesugun Obesanjo (Igbo, Christian from the North) Obesanjo received 62% of vote in 2003 electionObesanjo received 62% of vote in 2003 election PDP gained majority in National Assembly and most of the governors PDP gained majority in National Assembly and most of the governors

throughout the countrythroughout the country Do to voter fraud, difficult to determine accurate level of support for the Do to voter fraud, difficult to determine accurate level of support for the

PDPPDP

All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP)All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) General Muhammadu Buhari, Muslim from the North, ran against General Muhammadu Buhari, Muslim from the North, ran against

ObesanjoObesanjo Received about 32% of the voteReceived about 32% of the vote His running mate and potential future candidate was Chuba His running mate and potential future candidate was Chuba

Okadigbo, an Igbo from the SoutheastOkadigbo, an Igbo from the Southeast

Other parties that ran presidential candidates include All Progressive Grand Alliance Other parties that ran presidential candidates include All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), The Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ), and the Justice Party(APGA), The Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ), and the Justice Party

Alliance for Democracy (AD) did not have a presidential candidate in 2003, but did receive Alliance for Democracy (AD) did not have a presidential candidate in 2003, but did receive 9% of the votes for the legislative elections9% of the votes for the legislative elections

XIII. Elections & Electoral XIII. Elections & Electoral ProceduresProcedures

Citizens vote for candidates on 3 levels: local, state, and Citizens vote for candidates on 3 levels: local, state, and national.national.

National level citizens vote for the president, National level citizens vote for the president, representatives to the National Assembly, and senators representatives to the National Assembly, and senators from their states.from their states.

National ElectionsNational Elections Presidential ElectionsPresidential Elections

After annulled election of 1993, first election took place in After annulled election of 1993, first election took place in 1999, with another in 2003.1999, with another in 2003.

If presidential candidate does not receive outright majority, If presidential candidate does not receive outright majority, a second ballot election takes place.a second ballot election takes place.

President must receive at least 25% of the votes in 2/3 of President must receive at least 25% of the votes in 2/3 of the statesthe states

A purely regional candidate can not winA purely regional candidate can not win Requirement reflects difficulty experienced in attempt Requirement reflects difficulty experienced in attempt

to unify Nigeriato unify Nigeria

Interest Groups IInterest Groups I

Labor UnionsLabor Unions Independent and politically influential prior to 1980sIndependent and politically influential prior to 1980s Through the introduction of corporatism the Babangida regime limited the influence of Through the introduction of corporatism the Babangida regime limited the influence of

labor unionslabor unions A central labor organization supplanted the older unions, and only candidates A central labor organization supplanted the older unions, and only candidates

approved by Babangida could be chosen as labor leadersapproved by Babangida could be chosen as labor leaders In July 2003 labor unions widely and openly protested the government’s attempt to In July 2003 labor unions widely and openly protested the government’s attempt to

raise oil prices for Nigerian consumersraise oil prices for Nigerian consumers

Business InterestsBusiness Interests Business interests have tended to work in collaboration with the military regimes, in Business interests have tended to work in collaboration with the military regimes, in

return for the spoils related to the corruption of the elite classreturn for the spoils related to the corruption of the elite class Associations for manufacturers, butchers, and car rental firms have operated outside Associations for manufacturers, butchers, and car rental firms have operated outside

the realm of government and helped promote economic reforms of the 1990sthe realm of government and helped promote economic reforms of the 1990s

Human Rights GroupsHuman Rights Groups Promote democratic reformsPromote democratic reforms Include university students, teachers, civil liberties organizations, and professional Include university students, teachers, civil liberties organizations, and professional

groups (doctors, lawyers)groups (doctors, lawyers) These groups protested against the abuses of Babangida and AbachaThese groups protested against the abuses of Babangida and Abacha

XX. MilitaryXX. Military

Strong, policy-making force in NigeriaStrong, policy-making force in Nigeria

““Military in GovernmentMilitary in Government” – those that initiate coups and take ” – those that initiate coups and take over the responsibility of the executive branchover the responsibility of the executive branch

““Military in BarracksMilitary in Barracks” – fulfills traditional duties of military, its ” – fulfills traditional duties of military, its leaders have been critical of military control of political power.leaders have been critical of military control of political power.

Military has been subject to internal discord, military presidents Military has been subject to internal discord, military presidents often have to keep a close eye on other military leaders.often have to keep a close eye on other military leaders.

Babangida protected his authority by constantly moving military personnel Babangida protected his authority by constantly moving military personnel around and appointed senior officers through his patronage systemaround and appointed senior officers through his patronage system

Military is one of the few institutions that is truly national in Military is one of the few institutions that is truly national in character.character.

Military has restored and maintained order during ethnic strife Military has restored and maintained order during ethnic strife and conflictand conflict

XXI. Public PolicyXXI. Public Policy

Top-down policy-making process.Top-down policy-making process.

Power concentrated in hands of the president & cabinet Power concentrated in hands of the president & cabinet ministers through channels established by patron clientelismministers through channels established by patron clientelism

Loyalty PyramidLoyalty Pyramid – senior officials supported by broader base of loyal – senior officials supported by broader base of loyal junior officialsjunior officials

State control of resources means that those in the pyramid get the State control of resources means that those in the pyramid get the spoils, they alone have access to wealth and influence. Loyal clients of spoils, they alone have access to wealth and influence. Loyal clients of patronage structured pyramids includes:patronage structured pyramids includes:

““Kaduna Mafia”, “Babangida’s Boys”, and “Abacha’s Boys”Kaduna Mafia”, “Babangida’s Boys”, and “Abacha’s Boys”

Military controls pyramids, pyramids supported by “guns” (Force); Military controls pyramids, pyramids supported by “guns” (Force); therefore, protesting system can be dangeroustherefore, protesting system can be dangerous

Top-down, self-interested rule established by British during Top-down, self-interested rule established by British during colonial era when the British relied on native chiefs to ensure colonial era when the British relied on native chiefs to ensure Nigerian trade and resources benefited Great BritainNigerian trade and resources benefited Great Britain

XXII. Economic IssuesXXII. Economic Issues

Loyalty pyramids and corruption have led to a Loyalty pyramids and corruption have led to a squandering of Nigeria’s wealthsquandering of Nigeria’s wealth

Nigeria is currently in debt and majority of the population Nigeria is currently in debt and majority of the population lives in povertylives in poverty

Large oil revenues have been pocketed by government Large oil revenues have been pocketed by government officialsofficials

Economic situation complicated by ethnic & regional Economic situation complicated by ethnic & regional conflictconflict

In February 2001, federal government asked the Supreme In February 2001, federal government asked the Supreme Court to all the government to collect oil revenue and put Court to all the government to collect oil revenue and put it in a “federal account” (Revenue Sharing)it in a “federal account” (Revenue Sharing)

Areas in the south along Niger River Delta protested this idea, they Areas in the south along Niger River Delta protested this idea, they believed the policy was a way for northerners to take profits and believed the policy was a way for northerners to take profits and revenue away from the southrevenue away from the south

Economic Issues IIEconomic Issues II

OilOil Oil wealth during the 1970s Oil wealth during the 1970s

gave Nigeria international gave Nigeria international leverageleverage

OPEC memberOPEC member

Conflicts in Middle East have Conflicts in Middle East have made Nigeria more made Nigeria more important as a trade partner important as a trade partner for other countries since for other countries since 1970s1970s

Lack of economic Lack of economic diversification hurts Nigeria diversification hurts Nigeria when oil prices dropwhen oil prices drop

DEBT – as a result of drop in DEBT – as a result of drop in oil prices and lack of oil prices and lack of revenue surplusrevenue surplus

Structural AdjustmentStructural Adjustment 1980s, Nigeria seeks 1980s, Nigeria seeks

assistance from assistance from international international organizations to deal organizations to deal with debt crisiswith debt crisis

World Bank & IMF World Bank & IMF involvementinvolvement

Restructure & Restructure & diversification of diversification of Nigerian economyNigerian economy

Privatize parastatalsPrivatize parastatals Cut government Cut government

spendingspending

““Shock Treatment” not Shock Treatment” not very successfulvery successful

Parastatals still under Parastatals still under government controlgovernment control

Debt repayment had to Debt repayment had to be restructuredbe restructured

Nigeria Case Study DBQFour Documents Articles: Group Work1.Answer the 6 questions for the first article: “Militia Stages Attack in Nigeria”2.Create 6 questions for the 3 Documents: create 3 level 1 questions, 2 level questions, & 1 level 3 or 4 question.A.Nigerian Court Reinstates Key Opposition as Election LoomsB.Nigerian Leader Seeks Unity Government with Main OppositionC.Nigerian oil Workers Strike over Fuel Prices

Militia Stage Stages Attacks in Niger Delta Seeking Local Control of Oil

Level 1 Questions (3)1.What is MEND?2.What is the Goal of the MEND?3.How much oil production is lost due to the violence?Level 2 Questions (2)1.Why would The West care about the MEND?2.Why do the MEND members paint their bodies?Level 3 or 4 Question (1)1.Should the U.S. become involved in the conflict