Nigeria

Coup d’état – A sudden, illegal overthrow of a government, often by the military. Nigeria has experienced multiple coups, particularly during its post-independence history.

Democratization – The transition from an authoritarian regime to a democratic system, involving competitive elections, civil liberties, and rule of law. Nigeria has pursued democratization since military rule ended in 1999.

Dual mandate – A colonial-era policy requiring British administrators in Nigeria to both govern and prepare the colony for eventual self-rule, often with limited local input.

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) – A regional organization of West African countries, including Nigeria, aimed at economic integration, political cooperation, and peacekeeping efforts.

Federal Executive Council (FEC) – The executive body of Nigeria's federal government, composed of the president, vice president, and ministers, responsible for policymaking and administration.

Federal character – A principle in Nigeria’s constitution requiring government appointments and resource distribution to reflect the country’s ethnic and regional diversity to promote national unity.

Federalism (in Nigeria) – A system of government where power is shared between the central government and states, though Nigeria's federalism is often seen as centralized due to strong presidential authority.

Hausa & Fulani – Two ethnically and culturally linked groups primarily in northern Nigeria, historically dominant in politics, with strong Islamic influence.

Igbo – An ethnic group concentrated in southeastern Nigeria, known for commerce, education, and a history of seeking greater regional autonomy, including the failed secession of Biafra (1967-1970).

Import substitution – An economic policy aiming to reduce dependence on foreign goods by encouraging domestic production, used in Nigeria’s early post-independence development strategies.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – The body responsible for overseeing elections in Nigeria, ensuring transparency, and regulating political parties.

International Monetary Fund (IMF): An international organization that provides financial assistance and advice to member countries facing economic instability. It aims to promote global economic stability, growth, and monetary cooperation.

Middle Belt: A region in Nigeria located between the predominantly Muslim North and the predominantly Christian South. It is ethnically diverse and has been a site of ethnic and religious tensions.

Military Rule: A period of governance where the military takes control of the country, usually through a coup, and governs in an authoritarian manner, often suspending democratic institutions and processes.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC): The state oil company of Nigeria, responsible for the exploration, extraction, and marketing of petroleum and petroleum products in the country. It plays a key role in Nigeria’s oil industry, which is vital to the country’s economy.

Parastatal: A government-owned corporation or agency that operates in sectors like transportation, energy, or natural resources. It is part of the public sector but runs like a business.

Patron-Client Politics (Prebendalism): A political system where resources and political positions are distributed to individuals or groups in exchange for their loyalty and support. This often leads to political favoritism, corruption, and an unequal distribution of resources.

People’s Democratic Party (PDP): A major political party in Nigeria, founded in 1998, which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015. It is generally considered to have a broad base of support across various regions, particularly in the South and Middle Belt.

Supreme Military Council (SMC): The highest governing body during Nigeria’s military regimes, particularly during the military rule of General Muhammadu Buhari (1983–1985). The SMC was responsible for making decisions on governance during military rule.

World Bank: An international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects. It aims to reduce poverty and promote sustainable economic development.

Yoruba: One of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, primarily located in the southwestern region. The Yoruba have a rich cultural heritage, with a long history of traditional kingdoms and political influence.

Kleptocracy: A form of government where the leaders use their political power to steal from the public treasury for personal enrichment. In a kleptocracy, corruption is endemic and public resources are misused for private gain.