Nigeria

The BasicsNIGERIA

GEOGRAPHY

Land Area: 356,669 sq. miles (2x the size of California)

Location: Coast of West Africa

Capitol City: Abuja

Neighboring Countries: Benin, Niger, Chad, Cameroon

*Divided into “states” by the government, but ethnic zones play a far more crucial role in politics

Abuja

ZONES

Population: 154.7 million

Birthrate: 39.8/1000 people

Death rate: 16.4/1000 people

Life Expectancy: 47.8 years

Language: English (offi cial) dozens of tribal languages.

Religion : 50% Muslim, 40% Christian, 10% indigenous beliefs

Health: Lack of access to adequate sanitation and clean water—rural Nigerians spend 3-4 hours/day gathering water.

Education: 69.1% literacy rate Gov’t provides free schooling,

but it is not compulsory. Described as “dysfunctional”

by Nigerian government

SOCIETY

ETHNIC GROUPS*250-400 identified ethnic groups but they “ally” themselves into 3 major sections.

“There are no Nigerians in

the same sense as there are

‘English’ or ‘French.’ The word Nigerian

is merely a distinctive

appellation to distinguish those who

live within the boundaries of Nigeria and

those who do not.”

Location: Northern Nigeria

Percent of Population: 30%

Predominantly Muslim

HAUSAFULANI

HAUSA FULANI

• Predominantly subsistence

farmers/herders

• Follow Sharia law Women not

allowed for vote freely, stoned for

adultery, etc.

• Remain largely in control of

Nigerian politics

• Strict dress code

• Poorly educated

Location: Southwestern Nigeria


Equal numbers of Muslims and Christians

YORUBA

YORUBA

• Farmers-- SW Nigeria is prime

agriculture region (Cash crops &

subsistence)

• Lagos is largest city in region—one of

the most polluted in world

• Largest region for migration

• Ethnic identity is more important

than religious identity

• Greater diversity of opportunity and

economic activity

Location: Southeast Nigeria


Predominantly Christian

IGBO

IGBO

• Primarily farmers

• Most educated overall

• Follow strict gender divided roles—

women can only plant certain crops,

men others

• Known for ironsmithing and other

arts

• Women play prominent role in

politics (esp. at the village level)

Elite v. MassesEducation Levels: “important”…but few children go

beyond primary school schools are becoming more heavily influenced by religion but are said to promote “democratic values”

Relationship between farming and poverty 70% of population is below the poverty line, yet 33% of the

country’s GDP & more than 70% of the population is employed in the agricultural industry.

ETHNIC & CULTURAL CLEAVAGES

The Critical Junctures

HISTORY

Pre-colonial Period

Ruled by Islamic leaders up until 19 t h century. (Accounts for religious rifts in nation)

Slave trade began in 1650s 3.5 mill ion people moved across Sahara.

1860’s British slave trade ended and there was a shift towards natural resources like palm oil beginning of exploitation of Niger Delta which stil l has critical political ramifi cations today.

Colonial Rule Establishment of indirect rule

by the British allowed for traditional methods of government to persist (sti l l seen in some vil lages today)

Strengthened collective identities formation of 3 key groups began.

1800-1945

The First Republic Independence granted from

British in 1960 Adopted Westminster model.

Country ruled by group from the North resources unfairly distributed.

Civil War & Military Rule Igbo officials seized power in 1966 Igbo population attempted to

secede from Nigeria to form their own country…didn’t work.

Military led government attempted to hold Nigeria together 3 year long bloody civil war (at least 1 million killed)

Global Oil Boom 1973-1974 General Olusegun Obasanjo

peacefully ceded government power to civilian government.

1945-1979

2nd & 3rd Republics National Party of Nigeria–

used fraud and violence to win “elections”

Military seizes power in 1983 under General Buhari

Buhari refused to return to democratic rule and decimated economy

1985 Buhari’s government is overthrown by Gen. Babangida—annulled 1993 elections

1999 power handed over to civil ian government and President Obasanjo elected

Fourth Republic Obasanjo reformed state and

economy– removed military offi cials from power, installed new leaders in oil sector, and obtained foreign investments to manage debt.

Rigged election of 2007 put Yar’Adua into power—he quickly reversed several of Obasanjo’s actions

Yar’Adua dies in 2010. Goodluck Jonathon sworn in 2011

1979-PRESENT