Nigeria- AP CGAP

General Sani Abacha

Last major military ruler of Nigeria; part of Nigeria's history of military rule before the return to democracy in 1999.

African Union

Organization that promotes political and economic integration among African states; Nigeria is a member.

All Progressives Congress (APC)

Political party currently in power since 2015; base of support comes from Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba areas.

Atiku Abubakar

Prominent Nigerian politician, former Vice President, associated with the People's Democratic Party.

Abiola

Moshood Abiola, won a presidential election annulled by the military in 1993.

Ibrahim Babangida

Military ruler who led Nigeria during military rule before democracy returned; part of the legacy of coups and instability.

Biafra

Region that tried to secede from Nigeria, leading to a civil war due to the pushing together of different ethnic groups under colonialism.

Boko Haram

Islamic fundamentalist group operating mainly in Northern Nigeria; opposes Western education; responsible for terror attacks like kidnapping schoolgirls in 2014; contributed to instability.

Civil Society

Very rich and flourishing in Nigeria despite government dominance; example includes #EndBadGovernance protests that show Nigerian citizens push toward democratic consolidation.

Constitutionalism

Nigeria has struggled with consistent constitutionalism; has had 7 constitutions with each military rule suspending and replacing the constitution; current one from 1999 aims to keep national unity.

Corporatism

Nigeria's political culture has elements of state dominance where government heavily influences major sectors like the economy through parastatals.

Cultural diffusion

Nigeria faces tension between modernity and traditional life; influences from Western cities clash with continued traditional practices like village chiefs solving disputes.

ECOWAS

Economic Community of West African States; regional group Nigeria belongs to for economic and political cooperation.

Federal Character

Idea included in the 1999 constitution to ensure national unity by requiring government appointments and political representation to reflect Nigeria's ethnic and regional diversity.

Fourth Republic

Current era of democracy in Nigeria, starting with the 1999 Constitution after the end of military rule.

Goodluck Jonathan

President of Nigeria before Muhammadu Buhari; part of the People's Democratic Party; presidency reflected ethnic and religious balancing efforts.

Hausa-Fulani

Ethnic group making up about 50% of Nigeria's population; Muslim; primarily live in the north; face land issues due to desertification; strong support base for the APC.

Igbo (Ibo)

Ethnic group located in the southeast; farmers; predominantly Christian; previously tried to form Biafra leading to the civil war.

Indirect Rule

System used by the British during colonialism where local leaders maintained authority under the oversight of British officials.

Independent National Election Commission (INEC)

Commission responsible for overseeing elections in Nigeria.

Informal economy (black market)

Significant in Nigeria due to inefficiencies and corruption within the formal economy.

Kinship-based politics

Many Nigerians maintain strong loyalty to ethnic or local groups, often turning to village chiefs or local leaders to solve problems rather than formal government institutions.

Loyalty Pyramid

System in which Nigerian political leaders, especially under prebendalism, distribute favors and jobs based on personal loyalty rather than merit.

MEND and Niger Delta oil issues

MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) opposes the rentier economy; wants Nigeria to control its own oil resources and has engaged in militant activities.

Military in government

Nigeria experienced frequent military coups; military intervened when chaos prevented democracy; last military rule ended in 1999.

Muhammadu Buhari

Former military ruler who later became president under the APC; reflects Nigeria's history where military leaders transitioned into civilian politicians.

National Assembly

Legislative branch of Nigeria modeled after US Congress; bicameral with Senate and House of Representatives; plays role in appointments, impeachment, and legislation.

National Question

Refers to ongoing debate about how Nigeria can remain unified despite ethnic, religious, and regional divisions.

Olusegun Obasanjo

First president of the Fourth Republic starting in 1999; had previously served as a military ruler; critical in transition to democracy.

Para-statals

State-owned enterprises run by private individuals; inefficient and a source of corruption; examples of why Nigeria struggles with democratic consolidation.

Patrimonialism

Leaders dominate the state and distribute resources as personal favors; deeply rooted in Nigeria's political culture.

Patron-Client (pre-bendalism)

Political system where politicians distribute state resources in return for loyalty; especially common in the oil sector and in filling government jobs.

People's Democratic Party (PDP)

Political party in power from 1999 to 2015; support mainly from the southeast and central regions; more right-leaning.

Plurality

Nigeria uses a single-member district (SMD) electoral system where candidates who get the most votes win, not necessarily a majority.

Rents, rent-seeking

Government officials seek to gain access to the state's oil revenues or resources (rents) for personal or political gain.

Rentier State

A state that earns a large portion of its revenue from renting natural resources to foreign companies; Nigeria relies heavily on oil.

Resource curse

Nigeria's abundance of oil wealth has led to corruption, economic instability, and political conflict instead of development.

Revenue sharing

System where Nigeria's national government distributes oil revenue among the states, aiming to reduce ethnic and regional tensions.

Rule of law

Although judicial independence exists to a degree in Nigeria, rule of law is weakened by corruption and executive influence; judiciary can exercise judicial review.

Sharia

Islamic law system operating in northern Nigeria alongside common law; allowed by the federal government but causes ethnic and religious tensions.

State Corporatism

System where the state heavily regulates or controls interest groups, often weakening independent civil society organizations.

True federalism movement

Effort by Nigerians who want more power given to the states rather than centralized in the national government.

Umaru Yar'Adua

Nigerian president who succeeded Olusegun Obasanjo; his death led to Goodluck Jonathan becoming president.

Yoruba

Ethnic group making up 21% of Nigeria's population; primarily in the southwest; mix of Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions; strong support base for APC.