Nigeria Vocab

coup d’etat

An illegal and often violent seizure of power from a government, typically carried out by military forces or other internal factions within a country.

democratization

The transformation process from a nondemocratic regime to a procedural democracy to a substantive democracy.

dual mandate

first, the exploitation of Africa's resources for imperial benefit; and second, the development of the continent.

economic community of west African states

It was created to promote economic integration and growth among west African states.

federal executive council

the cabinet of ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is part of the executive branch of the Government of Nigeria. Advises the president

federal character

seeks to ensure that appointments to public service institutions fairly reflect the linguistic, ethnic, religious, and geographic diversity of the country.

federalism

the devolution of self-governance by the West African nation of Nigeria to its federated states, who share sovereignty with the Federal Government.

hausa-fulani

the largest ethnic group that lives in northern Muslim Nigeria.

igbo

an ethnic group of Nigeria that lived in the southeast region for thousands of years. Known for metalworking, weaving, and carving.

import substitution

a development strategy where a country focuses on producing goods domestically instead of importing them from other countries. This is done to reduce dependence on foreign imports and promote domestic industries.

independent national electoral commission

a government body responsible for organizing and conducting elections in a country. It ensures that the electoral process is fair, transparent, and free from any external influence.

international monetary fund

an international organization that provides financial assistance, policy advice, and technical expertise to its member countries during times of economic crisis. facilitates global trade

middle belt

Ethnically mixed region of central Nigeria where the capital, Abuja, was built.

military rule

a political system where the military, rather than elected civilian leaders, holds substantial power and directly governs a country, often through a junta or council of military leaders, effectively suspending normal democratic processes and exercising authoritarian control. 

nigerian national petroleum corporation

the state-owned oil corporation in Nigeria responsible for exploration, production, marketing, and regulation of petroleum resources

parastatal

company or corporation that is partially or fully owned and controlled by the state

patron-client politics (prebendalism)

type of patron-clientilism about bribery; village/ person gives support in return they get money

people’s democratic party

the party of power in Nigeria from the beginning of the Fourth Republic (1999-2015); now the main opposition party to the government

supreme military council

A title used during the two most important periods of military rule in Nigeria. (ruled Nigeria)

world bank

an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of poorer countries for the purpose of pursuing development projects.

yoruba

Ethnic group that inhabits the southwest whose members are divided among Christian, Muslim, and local animist faiths.

kleptocracy

a government whose corrupt leaders use political power to expropriate the wealth of the people and land they govern