A Study of Nigerian History - Key Facts

Nigeria Profile

• Official name: Federal Republic of Nigeria

• Administrative units: 36 States + Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

• Capital: Abuja (since 12 Dec 1991); centrally located, bordered by Nasarawa, Kogi, Kaduna, Niger

• Former capital & commercial hub: Lagos – pop. 11.4\,\text{million} (largest in Nigeria; 2^{nd} in Africa after Cairo)

• Other major city populations (approx.): Ibadan 3.3 m; Abuja 1.6 m; Kano 3.3 m; Port Harcourt 1.2 m

Economy

• Oil & gas: >80\% of national revenue; 1^{st} in Africa, 6^{th} worldwide producer

• Other minerals: limestone, iron ore, coal, gold

• Agriculture (local): yam, cassava, maize, millet, rice, onion, potato, pepper, beans

• Cash-crop exports: cocoa, groundnut, rubber, palm produce, cashew

• Livestock shortfall met by imports (mainly from Chad & Niger)

Political Structure

• Independence: 1 Oct 1960; became Republic 1963

• Systems: Parliamentary (1960-66) • Presidential (current)

• Three arms: Executive (President), Legislature (bicameral National Assembly), Judiciary

• Term limits: President & State Governors – max 2 four-year terms

• National Assembly: Senate 109 seats (each state 3 + FCT 1); House of Reps 360 seats; unlimited re-elections

• Local government: 774 councils (Chairmen + Councillors)

Judiciary

• Courts (ascending): Customary → Magistrate → State High → Court of Appeal → Supreme Court (headed by Chief Justice, appointed by President on NJC advice)

• Northern states also operate Sharia Courts of Appeal (Qadis / Grand Qadis)

• Legal profession split: Bench (judges) & Bar (practising lawyers)

National Symbols

• Flag: vertical Green | White | Green (white = peace & unity; green = agriculture); designer – Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi

• Coat of Arms: black shield (fertile soil), silver Y-band (Rivers Niger & Benue), supporting white horses (dignity), red eagle (strength), base flowers – cactus spectabilis

• Currency: Naira & Kobo • Internet domain: .ng • Tel. code: +234

Demographics

• Area: 923\,768\,\text{km}^2 (land 910\,768; water 13\,000)

• Population (July 2009 est.): 153\,828\,587; growth rate 2.42\%; birth rate 41.84/1000

• Urban 48\% vs Rural 52\% (2008 est.)

• Fertility rate 4.52 (2010)

• Literacy: total 68\% (male 75.7\%, female 60.6\%)

• Life expectancy: total 46.94 yr (male 46.16, female 47.76) – 2009 est.

Cultural Heritage

• Ethnic diversity: 250–400 groups (highest concentration in Taraba & Adamawa)

• Three dominant groups: Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo ≈ 66\% of population

• Religious composition: Islam 50\%, Christianity 40\%, Indigenous beliefs 10\%

• Major languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ful Fude, etc.

Foreign Policy & International Role

• Nickname: “Giant of Africa” – most populous black nation; 3^{rd}-largest African economy (after South Africa, Egypt)

• Active in ECOWAS (founder), African Union, UN, Commonwealth; Technical Aid Corps (TAC) supports developing states

• Peacekeeping & election support (e.g., Liberia 2011)

Economy – Growth & Development

• Listed among “Next Eleven” emerging economies

• IMF projected GDP growth 8.3\% for 2010

• Total administrations since independence: 16 (military + civilian)

Education

• Oldest university: University of Ibadan (est. 1948); global ranking ~801/1000

Pre-Colonial Arts & Culture

• Nok terracotta: 200\,\text{BC}–900\,\text{AD} (southern Zaria / Benue)

• Igbo-Ukwu bronzes: 9–10^{th} C AD (Anambra) – advanced metalwork

• Ife sculptures: 7–9^{th} C AD – naturalistic brass/terra-cotta heads

• Benin bronzes: from 15^{th} C; peak under Oba Ogunta; many looted in 1897

• Other centres: Tsoede/Tada bronzes (Nupe), Owo ivory, Esie stone figures, Oron ancestor wood (ekpu)

• Wood carving widespread (Yoruba veranda posts, Gelede/Egungun masks; Igbo shrine figures; riverine Mammy-Water masks)

• Ekoi (Cross River) combine wood & skin; Northern body painting with henna; bead jewellery among Yoruba & Fulani

• Pottery: ubiquitous craft across ethnicities for cooking, storage & trade – tradition centuries old