GST 123: Nigerian History and Culture

Study Notes

History of Nigerian People

Nri in Anambra State is the ancestral home of the Igbos and was a center of Igbo culture, religion, and commerce in pre-colonial West Africa, dating back to the 9th century.

Igbo Traditional Institutions

Igbos have a decentralized system of government, with no supreme King like Oba or Emir.
Nri is the origin of the Eze traditional title and the Osu caste system.
The highest traditional institution in Igbo land is the Oha-na Eze, with the unit of control being the Village.
Title holders include Ofo title for family heads and Ozo title for prestigious, influential, popular, and wealthy persons.

Recognized Kingdoms in Igbo Land

Onitsha kingdom (Anambra State) was founded in the 16th century by migrants from Benin and Igbo traders from the hinterland.
The traditional leader of Onitsha kingdom is the Obi of Onitsha.
Arochukwu kingdom (Abia State) emerged after the Aro-Ibibio wars from 1630-1720.
The traditional leader of Arochukwu kingdom is the Eze Aro.

Importance of Studying History of Nigerian People

It is important to know where Nigeria is coming from to know where it is heading.
Studying history provides a clear picture of Nigeria's economic, political, social, and cultural situation and how to move forward as a nation.
It explains why Nigeria is described as a rich nation with mostly poor people.
It exposes the reasons why Nigeria is considered one of the most corrupt nations in the world.

Introduction to Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous nation in West Africa and 1st in Africa.
The population of Nigeria as of 2006 is 140.8 million people.
The estimated population of Nigeria as of January 2019 is 198,503,406 or 2.60% of the total world population.
Nigeria covers an area of about 923,768 Sq Kms or 356,669 Sq Miles.
It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the South, Niger Republic in the North, Chad in the North-East, Benin Republic in the West, and Cameroon in the East.
The vegetation in Nigeria varies from Mangrove Swamps to Tropical Rain Forest and drought-prone savannah.
The people of Nigeria belong to the Negroid Race, with over 250 Ethnic groups.
Nigerian societies are communalistic, organized along Kinship and Lineage systems, and Patrilineal.

Early History of Nigeria

Much of Nigeria's early history is based on Oral tradition.
Archaeological studies have shown that people were living in South-West Nigeria and Ugwuelle-Uturu (Okigwe) in South-Eastern Nigeria as early as 9,000 BC.
The earliest identified Nigerian Culture is the NOK People, who thrived between 500 BC and 200 AD on the Jos Plateau in North-Eastern Nigeria.

Description

Learn about the importance of studying Nigerian history and its impact on the country's economy, politics, and social development. Understand the significance of Nigerian culture and its role in shaping the nation's future.