5/26/2018 Comparative Government: Nigeria Terms

1/2

Johnny Jung

Period 8

Terms

Unit Four: Nigeria

Patrimonialism-the system of power where authority flows from a single figure, such as the

President, and groups, especially the military, follows his/her orders directly.

Biafra-the southern state that tried to secede and led to the Nigerian Civil War. They agreed to

a cease-fire and was reintegrated into Nigeria. The people were generally from Igbo descent.

Coup-the sudden takeover of power in a state. In Nigeria, high-ranking members of the military

have historically taken power over the country with support of the troops.

Federal Character Principle-the principle creating quotas of certain ethnic populations serving

in public service and government work. An effort to acknowledge diversity in the country.

Constitutionalism-the belief that government should be structured by a Constitution. Nigeria

has gone through 9 Constitutions since 1914, loss of legitimacy in Constitution.

Indirect Rule-In the Colonial Era, the British used the local leaders and trained natives for the

bureaucracy instead of instituting British governors.

Resource Curse-having abundant natural resources creates corruption among the government

leaders and instability and overdependence on the resource in the economy.

Prebendalism (Loyalty Pyramids)- Nigerian form of patron-clientelism where there is a

hierarchy of power where public offices are treated as personal fiefdoms.

Sharia-Muslim law that has been integrated into northern, Muslim-dominated areas. Special

Sharia courts exist for Muslims guilty of breaking Islamic code of law.

Rentier state/Rent Seeking Behavior-When the state takes rent from companies using its

land for gathering resources (Oil companies). Expending resources to produce assets that

amounts to economic rent.Derivation Formula- percentage of the revenue oil producing states retain from taxes on oil

and other natural resources produced in the state.

National Question-whether or not Nigeria should stay as one state, in spite of their drastic

ethnic, linguistic, religious differences.

Consociationalism-political representation based on respect for minorities and assertion of

group rights, cooperative action.

Parastatals-state-owned or controlled, corporations created to undertake a certain industry. In

Nigeria, INEC controls the lucrative oil industry.

5/26/2018 Comparative Government: Nigeria Terms

2/2