AP COMP GOV UNIT 6: NIGERIA

Flashcards about key facts of Nigeria history, demographics, and political systems.

What is the significance of Nigeria's colonial history?

Former colony of Great Britain, gained independence in 1960, and is a new developing democracy.

What is Boko Haram?

Islamic terrorist group based in NE Nigeria that since 2009 has launched a violent insurgency, roughly translates to “Western education is a sin”, with the goal to establish an islamic caliphate in Nigeria

How many ethnic groups are there in Nigeria?

250+

Where is the arable land concentrated in Nigeria?

Mostly in the south, about ⅓ of the land in Nigeria is arable

What is the Niger Delta?

World’s third largest wetland and source of Nigerian oil and economic/ethnic conflict with a population of 30M. Primarily used for Farming and fishing with 12 ethnic groups and 25+ languages.

What are the two main ethnic groups in the North of Nigeria?

Hausa and Fulani.

What are the two main ethnic groups in the South of Nigeria?

Yoruba and Igbo.

What is the dominant religion of the Hausa and Fulani?

Islam.

What is the dominant religion of the Igbo?

Christianity.

What is the dominant religion of the Yoruba?

Combination of Christianity, Islam, Animism

What was the Sokoto Caliphate and its significance?

Islamic empire founded in 1809 and centered around Northern Nigeria, instrumental to the spread of Islam in the region.

What was the scramble for Africa?

Late 19th century race by European countries to expand influence and establish imperial control over the majority of African territory.

How did the British exert their influence over Nigeria?

Indirect rule.

What is Sharia?

Islamic law respected by the British under colonial rule.

Who was Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe?

Nigerian nationalist and independent Nigeria’s first head of state (1960-66). He Established a newspaper in 1944 that led to the formation of the National council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) who advocated unity and self government.

What were the two main political parties of the first republic of Nigeria?

NPC: Northern people’s congress (Hausa) and AGP: Action group party (Yoruba)

How many republics has Nigeria had?

Four (First, Second, Third, Fourth)

What was the Republic of Biafra?

The Igbo dominated eastern region that tried and failed to secede from Nigeria in 1967.

Who was General Olusegun Obasanjo?

The 1976 to 1979 military leader and 2 term elected president from 1999 to 2007.

Who was Muhammadu Buhari?

Former military ruler in 1983 and democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.

Who was Ibrahim Babangida?

Military ruler from 1985 to 1993, sought to establish failed 3rd republic.

Who was Sani Abacha?

1993 to 1998 dictator from military coup. a Ruthless leader, known for regular violence. Critics murdered and jailed and Responsible for the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa

What is the significance of patrimonialism/patron-clientelism/patron-client relationships?

Enabled so many coups in Nigerian history

Who was Goodluck Jonathan?

Ethnic Ijaw Christian from the South, president from 2010 to 2015.

What is the Federal Character Principle?

Nigerian Quota system designed to ease ethnic tension by requiring president to appoint ministers and civil servants from each Nigerian state.

What is the unintended consequence of the Federal Character Principle?

Bloated bureaucracy and corruption (clientelism).

Who was Ken Saro wiwa?

Playwright and environmental activist and founder of MOSOP executed 1995 for defense of land and people of Niger Delta region

What is Nigeria’s regime?

Democratic

What is the division of power in Nigeria?

Symmetric Federal

What legislative executive system does Nigeria have?

Presidential

Who is the current president of Nigeria?

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

How long are presidential terms?

4 years, 2 max terms

What are the powers of the president of Nigeria?

Head of state, head of government, Commander in chief, Sign/veto/execute laws, Appoint Federal Executive Council (Cabinet), Propose budget, Propose Legislation, Appoint supreme court justices

What are the requirements to elect the President of Nigeria?

President needs majority in country and 25% of votes in ⅔ of the states.

How many houses are in Nigeria’s Legislature?

2- Bicameral

What is Nigeria’s legislature called?

National Assembly

What are the two houses of Nigeria's National Assembly?

LH: House of Representatives and UH: Senate

How many seats are in Nigeria’s House of Representatives?

360

How many seats are in Nigeria’s Senate?

109 = 3 per state + 1 (Federal district of Abuja)

How long are the terms for the lower and upper house of Nigeria's National Assembly?

4 years, renewable terms

What are the powers of the lower and upper house of Nigeria's National Assembly?

LH: Impeach president, make laws and UH: Approvals

What are some of the main challenges with Nigeria’s legislature?

Lack of experience, Bloated bureaucracy, and Regional disagreements.

Whose system of government is Nigeria modeled after?

US. Also called Madisonian model

What is the state of elections in Nigeria?

Transparency is still improving, and Goodluck Jonathan was a major contributor

What is still a problem with elections in Nigeria?

Violence

Where is election violence greatest in Nigeria?

North with lower literacy rates and increased poverty

How many constitutions has Nigeria had in the past?

6 previous constitutions (4 during colonial era)

What are some of the significant provisions in Nigeria's current 1999 constitution?

Federal division of power, presidential system, directly elected president, bicameral legislature, democratic republic

What is Nigeria’s chief judicial body?

Supreme Court, Rule of law and Sharia in local courts, 12 northern states, parallel to regular legal system

What is unique about Nigeria’s supreme court?

70 year age limit

What type of party system does Nigeria have?

Multiparty system with 30 registered parties, but a 2 party leaning recently

What are two of the biggest parties in Nigeria?

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC)

What is zoning?

PDP informal system of presidential rotation; the party would alternate every 2 terms in nominating candidates from North and South

What is the PDP demographic?

Northern Hausa

What is the APC composed of?

A coalition of other parties formed 2013 by a merger of the largest opposition parties and defections from the ruling PDP

What is the difference between Nigeria’s parties compared to the other countries we learned about?

Parties reflect ethnic interests more than political ideology

What is the significance of Nigeria’s economy in Africa?

Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa with a $362B GDP. $2460 per capita suggests low standard of living and lack of development

What is Nigeria’s most abundant natural resource?

Oil (Controlled by state)

What is Nigeria’s state owned oil company?

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

What percentage of Nigeria’s exports is oil?

90%

How does oil relate to Nigeria’s corruption issue?

Exacerbates corruption. Oil funds the massive budget for elected officials which Presents opportunities to steal, bribe, etc. Estimates $20T government funds stolen since 1960, 500k barrels of oil per day

What industry has the largest workforce in Nigeria?

Agriculture

What is the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS)?

Attempt at increasing transparency. Created a law enforcement unit specifically targeting resource theft and laundering

What is the Economic Community of West African States role (ECOWAS)?

A collection of nations in Africa to stimulate their economies.

What is OPEC?

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

Why is Nigeria’s oil a favorable export?

The oil has a low density and low sulfur content, making it prized for refinement.

What is the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)?

To promote the unity and solidarity of African states. It ultimately changed its name to African Union (AU) in 2002.

What is NEPAD?

A mandate from AU to eradicate poverty, sustain growth, integrate Africa into the process of globalization, and empower African women.

What is the Derivation Formula?

Formula for calculating the distributing % of oil revenues between national and local government in Nigeria

What is the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority?

Organization established to insulate oil revenues from politicians and direct funds to economic development

What is the Resource Curse?

Affliction caused by abundant natural resources distorting an economy by preventing diversification

Why is Nigeria described as a 70% system?

70% of Nigeria lives on less than $2 per day, Oil = 70% of revenue, and 70% of overall wealth owned by less than 1% of people

What are Nigeria’s major imports?

Largest rice importer of rice and also imports Gasoline

Describe the attitude of Nigerians towards democracy?

Enthusiastic about democracy but not overly confident in their own, Skeptical because of violence and corruption. 2007 messiest election

What is the biggest political socialization group in Nigeria?

Family

Describe Nigeria's attitude towards national identity?

High national identity (faith in the people)

Describe Nigeria’s patriotism?

Low patriotism

What is the health of Nigeria’s civil society?

Robust civil society with many organizations based on religion and ethnicity

What is the difference between MEND and MOSOP?

MEND = Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Militant approach targeting oil production) and MOSOP = Movement for the Survival of the Ogani People (Non-violent campaigning)

What are some of the smaller branches of Islam in Nigeria?

Sufi Islam (Mostly lower class Hausa Muslims) and Sunni Islam (Hausa and Fulani elite)

What is an influential union in the oil production industry in Nigeria?

National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG)

What is the Organization of African Unity (OAU)?

Organization created in 1963 to promote development in africa

What is the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)?

Mandate for the AU to eradicate poverty, sustain growth, increase globalization, and empower women and Serves as intermediate for foreign donors