Case Study 6: Nigeria

Niger Delta

The area in Nigeria where the Niger River meets the sea. It's a huge swampland full of arable land and a huge variety of ethnic groups. It is also the source of Nigeria's oil, and has been profoundly polluted and damaged by oil drilling and production.

Sokoto Caliphate (1808)

The first formal government in Nigeria. It brought together several very different ethnic groups.

First Republic (Oct 1, 1960)

The first attempt at a national independent Nigerian government. It came immediately after Nigeria gained its independence from the UK. It industrialized, increased export power, and began to drill for oil.

Federal Military Government (FGM) (1966)

The government created in a countercoup against insurgents against the First Republic. It split the country into federal states and transitioned the economy to mostly oil export.

Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)

The war between the First Republic and the Igbo People in Nigeria. The Igbo seceded and declared the Republic of Biafra as free from Nigeria. Their resistance lasted for about three years before they were defeated by the Nigerian army and reintegrated into the Nigerian state.

Republic of Biafra

The Igbo republic that was briefly created during the Nigerian Civil War. They seceded in May 1967 and were defeated in 1970.

Second Republic (1979)

The second attempt at a Nigerian republican government. It was soon damaged by declining oil prices and a series of coups.

Third Republic (1985)

The third attempt at a Nigerian republican government. It instituted neoliberal economic reforms but was almost immediately destroyed by regional conflict, corrupt elections, economic struggle, and successive coups.

Fourth Republic (1999)

The fourth and current attempt at a Nigerian republican government. It was instituted peacefully after the leader of the previous regime, a repressive military government, died. It has persisted to the present day through a series of democratic elections and peaceful transfers of power.

Umaru Yar'Adua

The former president of Nigeria, who died in office and was succeeded by his vice president, Goodluck Jonathan.

Goodluck Jonathan

The former president of Nigeria, an Ijaw Christian, who succeeded Umaru Yar'Adua, then successfully ran for reelection after his term was over.

Mohammadu Buhari

The former president of Nigeria, a Hausa Muslim, who ran for office several times before winning over Goodluck Jonathan.

Bola Tinubu

The current president of Nigeria, who won the election in 2023.

Federal Executive Council

The president's cabinet in Nigeria. The president is responsible for appointing ministers to the cabinet from each state to avoid favoritism.

Federal Character Principle

The Nigerian political standard that there must be an even share of lawmakers from each state in the Federal Executive Council and in the two houses of legislature. The concept keeps ethnic and regional conflict somewhat at bay, but creates bureaucratic bloat and corruption, and prevents efficient civil service.

National Assembly

The bicameral legislature of the Nigerian government. It is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. it has historically functioned as a rubber stamp for the executive but has recently become more vocal.

House of Representatives

The lower house of the National Assembly. It has 360 seats with single member districts and 4 year renewable terms.

Senate

The upper house of the National Assembly. It has 109 seats with three seats per state and one seat for the Federal District of Abuja. It has 4 year renewable terms.

Zoning

The informal Nigerian political process where presidential candidates alternated every two terms between Northern Muslim and Southern Christian. The practice maintains a delicate balance between the two demographics, but also causes some frustration from other, smaller, less represented ethnic groups.

Derivation Formula

The formula by which the Nigerian government determines what percent of oil revenue goes to each local or state government. Tensions have risen recently as oil producing states believe themselves to be entitled to more of a share.

People's Democratic Party (PDP)

The political party that most represents the northern Hausa.

All People's Party (APP)

The political party that most represents the eastern Igbo.

Alliance for Democracy (AD)

The political party that most represents the western Yoruba.

All Progressives Congress (APC)

The opposition political party that formed in 2015 as a merger between several opposition parties to oppose Goodluck Jonathan from running for a second term.

Ken Saro-Wiwa

The Ogoni activist and playwright who criticize Shell oil. He cofounded the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), and was hanged in 1995 along with 8 others on trumped up charges in retaliation for his activism. His execution triggered mass protest and an overhaul of the judicial system, which had used the courts for political persecution.

Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) (1990)

Ken Saro-Wiwa's organization that protested oil exploitation and mistreatment of the Ogoni people.

Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)

The organization formed in opposition to excessive and exploitative oil drilling in the Niger Delta region. They instigated violence and stole oil in the name of freeing the area and its people. In 2009 a truce stopped much of the violence, but tensions remain.

Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

The two most prominent Igbo nationalist groups in Nigeria. They have instigated more and more violence and animosity in the region has grown.

Islamic Movement in Iran (IMN)

An Islamic power movement in Nigeria that protests the government's religious discrimination and neglect.

Boko Haram

The largest and most powerful radical Islamic sect in Nigeria. They engage in domestic terrorism, commiting violent acts against Christians and kidnapping about 300 schoolgirls. Their violence threatens Nigeria's status on the international scale as a powerful influence in Africa.

National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG)

One of the largest and most powerful unions in Nigeria. It has political influence over large parts of the industrial sector, especially with regards to oil and gas drilling.

Red Card Movement

An impartial watchdog that ensures election credibility in Nigeria.

Nigerian Intervention Movement

The Nigerian organization that promotes new, non-corrupt political leaders.

"Not Too Young to Run"

The Nigerian political movement that specifically encourages youth involvement in politics.

80% System

The concept that in Nigeria, 80% of the population lives on less that $2 a day, 80% of government revenue comes from oil drilling, and 80% of the wealth is held by 1% of the population.

National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) (2003)

The government plan to address corruption, poverty, and national insecurity. It sough government financial transparency, increased infrastructure, and other national improvements.

Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)

The government institution created to keep oil revenue away from politicians and redirect it into investments in infrastructure and development, and management of the international fluctuation of oil prices.

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

The economic and military partnership between West African nations that acts both as an economic integration support system, and as an international peacekeeping force. Nigeria provides much of the military force behind the organization, and for this reason has earned more influence.

Organization of African Unity (OAU) (1963)

The original group founded to bring together African nations into strategic alliances.

African Union (AU) (2002)

The updated name for the collective organization of African nations. It created the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfFTA) for increased African unity and strength.

New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)

The organization within the AU designed to support African women, tackle poverty, and create growth and African globalization.

Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfFTA)

The organization within the AU that fostered free trade agreement between participating African nations.

MINT (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey)

The collection of nations including Nigeria with growing middle income economies.