Nigeria

Very small area with dense population- 178 million people

Very corrupt

Policy targets youner ppl becayse that is the biggest part of the population

 

North is dessert, grassland, and mostly muslim

South is wealthy, oil, and christian and animist driven

 

250 different launguages in nigeria

5 main ethnic groups, but very mixed smaller groups

Due to geography, ethnic groups, religions, the question is should nigeria be nigeria

 

Nigeria becomes independent from the british is 1960- loose tradition of self rule

Military becomes the stable institution

Many regime changes, many military coues after eachother

First time there wasn’t a regime change was when the president lost and stepped down

 

Form a new governemnt- became dictatorship

 

Short term policy to halt militant threats and stabilize political landscape

 

Mid term policy to diversify the economy and reduce economic gap

 

Long term policy to manage ethnic divisions and prepare for population boom

 

Nigeria is modeled off of US System

 

System:

  • Federal system- powered shared among different areas

  • Bicamerial legislation

  • Lower house :house of representatives

  • Upper house: Senate

  • Head of state and government: President

  • Main geographic subunits: states

  • Electoral system of lower house: single-member district plurality (first past the post whoever has the most votes)

 

Presidents

  • Appoint officials

  • Receive and distributes oil revenue

 

Executive branch is bureaucracy

  • Considered corrupt

  • Inneficent

 

Legislative

  • National assembly

 

Judiciary

  • Not a lot of experience

  • Hurts the legitimacy

 

He wins the election because he favors the majority of the people, so even if the elite and the poor vote against them there are more common people in favor of him

Social cleavages in Nigeria are divisions within society based on various factors that influence political, social, and economic interactions. Key social cleavages in Nigeria include:

  1. Ethnic Divisions: Nigeria is home to over 250 different languages and multiple ethnic groups, with five main ethnic groups being prominent. The diverse ethnic composition often leads to tensions and conflicts, as differing ethnic identities can influence political loyalties and social relations.

  2. Religious Differences: The country has a mix of religious affiliations, predominantly Islam in the northern regions and Christianity in the south, along with traditional animist beliefs. This religious diversity can lead to division, particularly where political and religious lines intersect.

  3. Geographic Variations: Different regions of Nigeria have varying levels of wealth and resources, with the south being wealthier due to oil reserves and the north facing challenges such as desert and grassland. This geographic disparity can exacerbate social cleavages.

  4. Economic Disparities: There are significant economic gaps between different regions and among social groups, which can lead to tension and competition for resources.

  5. Corruption and Governance: The perception of corruption within government institutions can create cleavages, influencing public trust and leading to division among those who benefit from the prevailing political structures versus those who are marginalized by them.