nigeria
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TRANSCRIPT
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
Percent of Population: 21%
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
Percent of Population: 18%
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