NigeriaHistory and Development

of Nigerian Political Culture

Important Themes to the Development of Nigerian Political Culture

Overarching Themes1) North vs. South2) Impact of British Rule3) National Question?

Historical Periods1) Pre-Colonial Era2) The Colonial Era3) Independence Era

Pre-Colonial Era (800 – 1860) ‘Democratic’ Roots

Rulers were seen as representatives of the people, expected to seek advice and govern in the interest of the people

Political History of Nigeria

Nigerian pendant ivory mask 16th century

Pre-Colonial Era (800 – 1860) Contact w/ the Outside World

North Arabic education Islam Sharia Law Larger states emphasized authority

and policymaking by the elite South

European influence Christianity Slave Trade Impact Smaller kinship-based/village level

politics

Political History of Nigeria

Regional Differences in Nigeria

The Colonial Era (1860 – 1960) British Influence

Authoritarian/Indirect Rule Ruled through native chiefs Strengthened leaders’ authority Citizens expected to passively

accept the actions of their rulers Christianity spread throughout

the south and west Education access created

cleavages Elite vs. the People North vs. South

Political History of Nigeria

The Colonial Era (1860 – 1960) Intensification of Ethnic Politics

To manage the colony, the British pitted three main ethnic groups against one another

1. Hausa-Fulani (North)2. Igbo (South)3. Yoruba (West)

Political History of Nigeria

Independence Era (1960 – Present)• Lack of Constitutionalism – Constitutionalism – acceptance of a constitution as a

guiding set of principles• Ex.) Nigeria has had 9 different Constitution versions (1999

latest)

• Military Rule– Lack of Constitutionalism, Ethnic/Regional Conflict,

Corruption led to a series of Military Dictatorships.– Promised to return power to the people as soon as

the ‘violence/turmoil lessened’– Violence, coup d'états, corruption

Political History of Nigeria

Independence Era (1960 – Present)• Governmental Changes – In an effort to keep Nigeria together, a system of

Federalism was created – In 1979 the British Style Parliamentary System was

replaced by a Presidential System• Popularly-elected President• Separate Legislature• Independent Judiciary

Political History of Nigeria

Independence Era (1960 – Present)• Economy Based on Oil – Nigeria has become a rentier state – Corruption & Lack of Economic Equality

• Intensifying Ethnic/Regional Conflict – Power vacuum caused rival ethnic/regional/religious

groups to compete for power– Islam vs. West/Christianity

Political History of Nigeria

National Question - even though it has been independent since 1960, neither its leaders nor its citizens agree on the basics of who should rule and how or even if Nigeria should remain as one nation.

Political History of Nigeria