Nigerian History: An Introductory Guide

Introduction to Nigerian History

• Historical studies are vital for human and national development; superpowers utilize their history for progress.
• History serves evaluative, investigative, informative, and educative roles in society.
• The study will focus on the lives and times of ancient Nigerian societies and their origins.

Environment and Peoples of Nigeria

• Nigeria is between latitudes 4°N and 14°W, bordered by the Sahara Desert in the North and the Gulf of Guinea in the South.
• Geographical factors shape human actions, influencing occupation and governance systems.
• Southern Nigeria experiences a long rainy season, while Northern Nigeria is dry and supports Savanna vegetation.
• Conflicts arise over natural resources, particularly during dry seasons, leading to "Farmers-Herdsmen" clashes.
• Nigeria is home to over 200 ethnic groups, with cultural diversity and shared histories.

Ethnic Groups in Pre-Colonial Nigeria

• Pre-colonial ethnic groups include Bini, Hausa, Fulani, Urhobo, Efik, Idoma, Ijaw, Yoruba, Tiv, and Igbo, among others.
• These groups had distinct cultures and lived with interconnected histories and alliances.
• The classification of these groups as "tribes" is deemed inappropriate due to its negative connotations; "ethnic groups" is preferred.

Historical Phases of Nigerian Peoples

• The pre-colonial history spans up to 1895, focusing on the origins, societies, and relations of various Nigerian peoples.
• British colonial supremacy began consolidating around 1895.

Origins of Nigerian Peoples

• There are three theories regarding the origins of people:
  • Creation School: Belief in a supreme being creating humanity.
  • Evolution School: Views man as a result of natural processes and chemical evolution.
  • Migration School: Centers on the movement of peoples and the challenges of tracing origins via oral histories.

Nature and Structure of Pre-Colonial Societies

• Pre-colonial societies were kinship-based, ensuring peaceful coexistence and conflict resolution.
• Centralized states, like those of the Kanuri and Benin, had kings as authorities, while non-centralized states, like those of the Ijaw and Igbo, distributed responsibility through different officials.
• Both political systems coexisted, showing that the structure does not necessarily determine stability or governance quality.

Economic Cooperation and Trade

• No Nigerian community was completely self-sufficient; trade occurred between savanna and coastal peoples.
• Organized markets existed for trading goods, linking different ethnic groups and promoting intermarriages.
• Cultural ties were strengthened via trade and intergroup relations.

Religion and Cultural Changes

• Nigerian ethnic groups had their unique belief systems, but Islam began influencing northern regions in the 7th century AD.
• Islamic introductions included Sharia law and Arabic historiography, significantly shaping socio-political structures.
• Christianity was introduced in 1842 by missionaries who aimed to evangelize while engaging in agriculture and trade.

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

• The trans-Atlantic Slave Trade had devastating effects on Nigeria and the African continent, leading to the African Diaspora.
• It established a racial hierarchy and discrimination against blacks in the Americas, as slavery became hereditary.

Conclusion of Pre-Colonial Era

• The pre-colonial period ended in 1895 with the British establishing colonial rule to exploit local resources for economic gain, referred to as Mercantilism.### Colonial History of Nigeria
• The colonial era in Nigeria began around 1837, marked by British interference in local governance following the deposition of Anna Pepple of Bonny.
• British colonial authorities regularly ousted local rulers like King Kosoko of Lagos and Jaja of Opobo to install preferred leaders, which set a precedent for future political manipulation.
• The "Indirect Rule" system was implemented by the British to reduce administrative costs and maintain control over diverse ethnic groups.
• In 1914, the northern and southern protectorates were amalgamated with the Lagos crown colony, which fostered competition and inter-ethnic rivalries.
• The 1939 division of the southern province into western and eastern regions intensified ethnic competition, particularly affecting communities like the Ijaw.
• Colonialism created a discriminatory hierarchy among ethnic groups, reinforcing Hausa-Fulani dominance over northern minorities, leading to ongoing agitations for state creation and resource control.
• The Willink Commission was established in 1957 to address minority fears and promote political inclusivity.
• British economic control led to the adoption of colonial laws and governance systems that marginalized traditional practices and lifestyles.
• Significant events, such as World Wars and the introduction of western education, fueled nationalist sentiments, paving the way for self-governance in 1951 and eventual independence in 1960.
• Nigeria became officially independent on October 1, 1960, with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as president and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa as prime minister.
• Despite political independence, Nigeria remained economically tethered to British interests during the early years of self-governance.
• The first decade post-independence was marked by ethnic tensions and continued minority agitations, with regions remaining similar to colonial divisions.
• Isaac Jasper Boro's 1966 revolution attempted to form the Niger Delta Republic, foreshadowing the Nigerian Civil War.
• The Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) stemmed from ethnic and political rivalries, triggered by coup d'états and further fueled by religious intolerance and census-related disputes.
• The era of 1970-1976 focused on reconstruction efforts post-civil war, but widespread marginalization complaints persisted, especially from the Igbo people.
• The 1970s "Oil Boom" transformed Nigeria's economy, establishing oil as a crucial resource, leading to increased governance challenges.
• Following coups, Murtala Mohammed and later Olusegun Obasanjo oversaw military rule until the transition to civilian government in 1979.
• Subsequent military regimes (Buhari, Babangida, Abacha) were characterized by human rights abuses and corruption, alongside seminal events like the June 12, 1993 elections and Ogoni uprisings.
• Civilian governance resumed post-1999 with President Olusegun Obasanjo, against the backdrop of ongoing Ijaw agitations for equitable resource control.
• Yar'Adua’s presidency (2007-2010) saw the declaration of an amnesty for Niger Delta militants, addressing longstanding resource control issues that had led to violence and unrest.
• Goodluck Jonathan succeeded Yar'Adua and served until 2015, amid ongoing political and economic challenges within Nigeria.

Conclusion

• Nigeria's political history is marked by continuous struggles over identity and allocation of resources among various ethnic groups.
• Effective nation-building is crucial to mitigate ethnic tensions and foster a unified national identity.
• The legacies of colonialism and post-independence military regimes significantly impact Nigeria's ongoing issues related to governance, ethnic relations, and resource distribution.### Tools and Techniques in Culture
• Artefacts encompass physical layout, dress codes, and social interactions, contributing to cultural identity.
• Emotional intensity and ephemeral phenomena also influence the perception of culture.
• Archival manifestations include company records, products, philosophy statements, and annual reports, significant for cultural analysis.

Patterns of Behaviour

• Culture significantly influences behavioral patterns within groups.
• Norms and values of a culture define expectations for behavior, leading to distinctive behavioral patterns among members.

Shared Values

• Shared values include beliefs, norms, and rules that shape relationships among individuals and with their environment.
• Understanding underlying values often requires interviews or content analysis of artifacts.

Origin of Culture

• Culture has existed since the dawn of humanity and sets humans apart from other animals.
• Individual perspective suggests culture could originate from innovations by individuals widely accepted by a society.
• Group perspective posits culture emerges from collective experiences and actions, often spontaneously.

Components of Culture

• Culture consists of material and non-material components.
• Material culture includes tangible objects like clothing, tools, and artworks, while non-material culture encompasses intangible aspects like values, norms, and beliefs.

Characteristics of Culture

• Culture is learned through social interaction and varies according to societal norms.
• Culture is shared among groups, enabling collective identity.
• Culture is interrelated and harmonious, with components forming a coherent system.
• Culture is dynamic, adapting over time to social changes or external influences.
• Culture is particularistic with unique practices across different societies while sharing universal themes.
• Culture embodies ideals, reflecting society’s aspirations that may not always manifest in behavior.
• Culture is abstract, existing conceptually rather than as tangible objects.
• Culture is adaptive, facilitating human adaptation to various environments.
• Culture is universal, existing in some form in every human society.

Basic Elements of Culture

• Norms govern societal behaviors, categorized into formal norms (laws) and informal norms (folkways).
• Values dictate what is considered good or desirable, significantly shaping norms.
• Language serves as a crucial cultural symbol, influencing thought and perception.
• Symbols evoke meanings and emotions, integral to cultural communication.
• Laws provide codified norms of behavior, with specific punishments for breaches.
• Rites of passage mark significant life transitions and social statuses.

Key Concepts in Culture

• Culture trait: Fundamental units of culture, encompassing behaviors, beliefs, and objects.
• Culture complex: Network of interrelated culture traits forming wholes.
• Cultural relativism: Understanding culture from the practitioners' perspectives, emphasizing tolerance.
• Cultural assimilation: Adaptation of a group's culture due to contact with another, often affecting language and practices.
• Cultural imperialism: Dominance of one culture over another, often through coercion or power imbalance.
• Visual culture: Represents cultural artifacts that convey lifestyles and societal norms visually.
• Culture lag: Delay in cultural adaptation to technological advancements, leading to disconnection.
• Cultural change: Ongoing modifications in cultural practices over time.
• Culture shock: Disorientation experienced by individuals encountering unfamiliar cultural practices.
• Ethnocentrism: Judgment of other cultures based on one’s cultural norms, often demonstrating bias.
• Xenocentrism: Preference for foreign cultures over one's own, often prevalent in comparisons with Western cultures.

Significance of Culture

• Culture enables communication, sharing of knowledge and beliefs among members of society.
• The integration of norms and values provides standards for behavior, distinguishing right from wrong.
• Culture is essential for socialization and instilling appropriate behaviors in youth.
• Culture defines group identity through distinctive behaviors and practices.
• Cultural bonding fosters social connections and communal values, creating unity.
• Cultural practices provide avenues for leisure, aesthetics, and tourism, enhancing social experiences.