Nigeria

Overview of State

Gained independence in 1960

Multinational state ruling over large, diverse population

Overview of Nations

More than 250 ethnic groups

Igbo

Yoruba

Hausa-Fulani 

Primarily Christian in the north, Muslim in the south (Sharia law in the south)

Legitimacy

Rational-legal legitimacy from 1999 constitution of the Fourth Republic

Northern Islamic states use Sharia law and have traditional legitimacy

Regime

Alternated between democratic and military rule since its independence

Since 1999, democratic republic

Corruption

Type of Economic System

Mixed Economy

Main export is oil, which is state owned

Oil was nationalized so they could join OPEC

Get 2/3 of its revenue from oil exports

Majority of population lives in poverty

Political Culture and Socialization 

Corruption consistent in political culture

Rigged election, fraudulent business deals

Family is very important

Ethnic and religious differences

Four Republics of Nigeria

1^st Republic: Westminister model (Parlimentary system like UK) 

• 3 regions (did not adequately represent ethnic groups) 

• North dominated in parliament 

• There was a civil war, and they created more states 

2^nd Republic; Presidential system 

3^rd Republic: Presidential system and military coup  

• Most violent 

4^th republic: Presidential system 

Obasanjo

Was once a General, Military ruler, advocate for civilian rule, oversaw regime switch to presidential system, ran for presidency 

• 1. President

• People's Democratic Part (PDF) 

• Civilian rule 

• First head of state in the Fourth Republic  

President Jonathon

• Led presidential system during fourth republic from 2010-2015 

• Elected in a relatively clean democratic election 

• Was not popular in the north 

• 2015 election was a peaceful transition of power, accepted he lost reelection instead of doing a coup 

President Buhari

Military general led 1983 military coup and ruled authoritarian government 

• Former military ruler 

• Reelected  

• All Progressive Congress Party 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 

• 2023-current 

• Current president  

• Part of All Progressive Congress Party 

• Considers strong leader but faces criticism over not dealing with human rights issues