Precolonial societies included Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo—differing state structures

Hausa (North) city-states 1000 a.d. later dominated by Fulani

Yoruba (southwest) kingdoms from 12^th-15^th centuries

Igbo smaller-village based societies

European explorers trade with area; interest in slave trade until outlawed by the British in 1807

British establish treaties with local rulers as protection against French incursions during scramble for Africa

By 1900 established as a British colony; 1914 consolidated into "Nigeria" under colonial rule

Colonioal boundaries divided people with a common ethnic heritage and threw together disparate ethnic groups.

British taxation demanded the introduction of market forces

Independence from Britain in 1960

Civil War (Biafra)

Precolonial Nigeria as self-sufficient in food

Large oil reserves; many other natural resources

Drawbacks: tropical diseases; high population growth; urbanization; decline of the agricultural sector

Impossible to speak of a pre-colonial political culture since Nigeria did not exist; par of the post independence problem is that Nigeria exists as a multi-ethnic state (more than 250 ethnic groups)

Major groups are discussed above: Hausa/Fulani—29.5%; Yoruba 20.3%; Igbo 16.6% according to the 1963 census. But such numbers are also art of the political conflict. Later census attempts did not question ethnicity since it was such a sensitive isse. E ven the headcounts in the various regions are the subject of bitter dispute.

Religion also plays a role with the North as overwhelmingly Islamic

Nigerians tend to identify ethnically more than nationally

Women were more autonomous in pre-colonial Nigerian societies than in colonial society, for the most part. Vote equally with man but far fewer enter politics.

Political corruption is legendary despite periodic government efforts to punish corruption. Corruption results partly from government regulation of economic life; partly from the availability of petrodollars; partly from low salary levels in the public sector and partly from the inability of the government to deliver on its promises of goods and services.

Family is important. Polygamy accepted in various ethnic groups. Extended family as a means of social security.

Schools have expanded and the last twenty years have seen large rises in enrolment. Reduces number of parochials in society. English as the language of instruction for the most part.

Media are very active in Nigeria, although there is the constant threat of government punishment and censorship.

Religion as a mobilizing political force in the North

Northerners have dominated leadership in both politics and military

Notice table 19.4 listing leaders

Currently a military regime. Nigeria has had two republics and around seven military governments. One military regime successfully withdrew and handed power back to elected civilians. There have tended to stay as in the curr ent regime.

Nigeria, since colonial times, has experimented with federalism in an attempt to provide the necessary local autonomy to accommodate ethnic interests. The federal experiments have not been successful largely because local governments have not had adequ ate resources and because the resource that Nigeria has become overwhelmingly dependent upon, oil, is located in the Southeast, while the leaders of the central government are northerners.

Nigeria has experimented with both a Presidential and Parliamentary system.

Judiciary initially maintained some independence under military regimes, but rule by decree and the use of military courts has eroded judicial power.

Organized voluntary associations exist, but government attempts to regulate; autonomy exists frequently at the price of intimidation.

Ogoni people (residents of oil-rich areas) were organized to demand a share of economic resources. Protests resulted in the arrest and execution of leaders including poet Ken Saro-Wiwa.

(Student Presentation)

Development

Democracy and Human Rights

Taxation

Census

Foreign Policy: Role in Liberia and Sierra Leone

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