Nigeria Key Terms

All Progressives Congress (APC)

3 parties, ANC, CPC, and the ANPP unite to rival the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), successful, candidate was elected, leans left economically, socially conservative

Biafran Civil War

1967-70, Biafra led an attempt to secede, tried to gain exclusive royalties from oil companies, led to a blockade and stalemate that caused starvation

Boko Haram

“Against western education”, Islamic terrorist group, 10,000 fighters, NE Nigeria, strict Islamic rule

Coup d’etat

Military seizure by force, experienced many times by Nigeria

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Regional organization promoting free trade, economic integration, cooperation, peacekeeping

Hausa-Fulani

Largest ethnic group in northern Nigeria, mostly muslim, historically dominant in politics

Igbo (Ebo or Ibo)

3rd largest ethnic group, SE Nigeria, mostly Roman Catholic Christian, central to Biafran secession,

National Assembly

Bicameral legislature, senate and HOR, works similar to US, power to impeach, pass bills, override a veto, faces a learning curve > slow legislative processes

National question

Should Nigeria remain unified or should it be broken into smaller countries because of diversity and a lack of national unity?

People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Major political party, tends to be center right, wide base of support with no one ideology

Prebendalism

Public office is used for personal gain, corruption and weak governance

Resource curse

Having a lot of resources leads to wealth, but also corruption, conflict, and inequality

Shari’ah

Islamic law, applied to muslims in some northern courts, creates religious tension

Structural adjustment program

IMF/World Bank reforms in the 80s, reduced state spending, increased taxes, led to more hardship

Yoruba

2nd largest ethnic group, SW Nigeria, mix of Islam and Christianity