Nigeria

By

Jeroen Berensen

David Marler

and

Marcia Vermeij

Nigeria at a glance

Nigeria has the largest population in Africa.

154 mil. People (8th in the world)

One out of every four Africans is Nigerian

Two major religions... Islam and

Christianity

Official Language is English

There are also three other

officially recognized regional

languages

Nigeria's Political System

Nigeria is a federal republic, modelled after

the USA

Has a president (Goodluck Jonathan)

who is both the Head of State and the

Head of Government

Nigeria has a complex legal system with

various types of law for the various

types of people. Muslims have Sharia

Law, Christians have Common Law, and

there is also traditional law.

Much like the American Legislature, the Nigerian

National Assembly consists of a Senate and a

House of Representatives.

Their governmental system is based on Checks

and Balances

Nigeria's Geography

Nigeria consists of...

37 states and one Federal Capital Territory

The capital is Abaja

The largest city is Lagos

(10 million people)

There are six cities with

populations of over 1 mil

people

History of Nigeria

9000 BC- First Humans in Nigeria

ca. 2000 BC- the first Nigerian Kingdom-

The Calabar Kingdom

1400-1600 AD- The Igo States

1500-1600 AD- The Songhai Empire begins to

incorporate parts of Modern Day Nigeria

The Songhai EmpireOne of the most famous African Kingdoms

Upon its fall led to the modern tribal makeup that exists in

Nigeria today (Dendi Kingdom)

British Control of Nigeria

Towards the end of the Napoleonic Wars Britain

takes an interest in Nigeria and her resources.

Most importantly, they are looking for a way into

the heart of Africa via the Water.

When they arrive, the slave trade is in full

swing. Tribes are selling each other to whites.

Slavery is illegal durring this period in the UK

1806-1900

In 1900 Nigeria becomes an

official part of the British

Empire

After WWII a Nigerian

Nationaist movement begins

to form. There is a push for

complete independance.

This leads to a slow transition

to autonomous rule.

Nigerian Independance- October 1, 1960

Nigerian Independance led to sectarian

violence between several groups of

people who wanted control of the country

In 1966, several Igbo Generals

led the first military coup

d'état. This was the first of

many.

In 1998, Nigeria saw one of its

first democratic elections. This

time has been one of the most

peaceful.

Nigeria's Problems

Today

-Corruption

-Environment

-Population

-Poverty

-Sectarian Violence

-Terrorism

English in Nigeria

English is the only official

language of Nigeria.

Because Nigeria has many tribal

and linguistic cultures, English is

the lingua franca of the people

and is seen as a non-biased

language.

Naija is the English Pidgin spoken

by most Nigerians

Naija

Naija or brokin is the Pidgin

language spoken by almost all

Nigerians.

Wetin dey happen - What is happening?

Hin say make we dey go - he said we should go

Hin don vex - he is angry

I no no, Me no no - I don't know

Na borro borro mek mi fine - my beauty comes from all

the items I borrow

Naija, English and Nollywood

Nollywood is Nigeria's film industry

They produce 2500 films per year. Most of them being

made in weeks

The films are always brought directly out on DVD.

Nollywood films are almost excusively made in English

or Naija.

Many Nigerian customs and traditional beliefs make

their way into Nollywood Films.

Nollywood Profile Baby Police

Nigerian Literature in English

First generation – Protest

Chinua Achebe, Christopher Okigbo, Kole Omotoso

Second generation – Females

Flora Nwapa, Buchi Emecheta, Adaora Ulasi, Ifeoma Okoye, Zaynab Alkali

Third generation – Struggle of change

Wole Soyinka, Chris Abani, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Novel by Chris Abani

• Graceland• Elvis Oke

– Teenager– Lagos

• Redemption• King of the Beggars• Sunday Oke

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

– Purple Hibiscus– Half of a Yellow Sun– That Thing Around

Your Neck (2009)

Graded Reader

Exercise Series

Nigeria Quiz

1. Around what year did man first

settle in Nigeria?

a. 1000 BC b. 9000 BC c. 4000 BC

Nigeria QuizNigeria Quiz

2. What was the name of the first civilization in

Nigeria?

a. Igbo b. Calabar c. Songhai

Nigeria QuizNigeria Quiz

3. What year did Nigeria become a part of the

British Empire?

Nigeria QuizNigeria Quiz

4. About how many Nollywood films are made

each year?

Nigeria QuizNigeria Quiz

5. What are the four types of legal systems in

Nigeria?

Nigeria QuizNigeria Quiz

6. What is the capital of Nigeria?

Nigeria Quiz

ANSWERS:

1. b- 9000BC

2. b- Calabar

3. 1900

4. 2500

5. Common, Civil, Sharia and Traditional

6. Abaja