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Nigeria, 8/1/07
Key Lecture Points:
• Since Nigeria’s emergence as a major oil producing nation in the 1970s, the country has been faced with corruption, brutal dictatorships, and war. Struggling with immense poverty, even while producing billions of dollars in oil revenue each year, Nigeria is far from stabilizing its own economy and political structure.. As nearly 50% of Nigerian exports are to the United States ($26 billion annually) and it provides the U.S. with 11% of total U.S crude oil imports, interruption of these resources would have direct impact on our national interests.
• Religion is a key factor in Nigeria and has caused major recent conflicts in the country. Muslims (50%) and Christians (40%) are nearly equal in the population (with 10% of the people retaining indigenous beliefs). On April 21, 2007, Nigerians elected a Muslim president and legislative majority (under many accusations of corruption and fraud). It remains to be seen if continued religious strife is inevitable. If non-secular issues in Nigeria can be effectively resolved without violent outcomes, valuable insights might be obtained to reduce the probability of religious conflicts in other parts of the world.
• Since obtaining its independence from Great Britain on October 1, 1960, Nigeria has continually struggled in its quest to become a modern republic. Since that time, only fourteen years have been under a freely elected, republic government. The elections of April 2007 were heavily questioned under charges of graft and corruption. While President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua allegedly received 70% (24.6 million votes) of the vote, many worldwide observers question if he truly obtained a simple majority. Nigeria may provide an excellent study of whether a developing nation in the post-colonial era can effectively maintain free government under a republic/democracy.
• Nigeria is an extremely diverse nation. Resolving sectarian conflict is paramount to a successful government and economy in Nigeria. If Nigeria is successful in managing its immense diversity, other nations might apply like techniques to reduce ethnic conflict in their countries.
• As the most populated nation in Africa, issues in Nigeria will affect the entire continent and region in the future. This includes successful management of the AIDS epidemic and other health issues among its vast population.
Exploration Questions:
• How has the colonial era affected the ability of Nigeria to maintain a stable self government?
• How has the discovery of oil affected the history of Nigeria since 1960?
Reflective Questions:
• What comes to mind when you think of the country of Nigeria and its people?
• Estimates are that as many as 45% of African Americans are descended from slaves brought to the country from Nigeria. Do you think that this should affect the way that the US interacts with Nigeria?
For More Information:
• Nigerian Official Government Site: http://nigeria.gov.ng
• BBC News coverage on Africa and Nigeria: http://news.bbc.co.uk
• CIA World Factbook on Nigeria: www.cia.gov
Books For Further Reading:
• Apter, Andrew. The Pan-African Nation: Oil and the Spectacle of Culture in Nigeria. University of Chicago Press, 2005. 296 pages.
Description: Apter tells the full story of Nigeria's spectacular rebirth as a rapidly developing petro-state to its dramatic demise when the boom went bust.
Click here to order.
• Smith, Daniel J. A Culture of Corruption: Everyday Deception and Popular Discontent in Nigeria. Princeton University Press, 2006. 263 pages.
Description: Drawing on firsthand experience, Smith paints a vivid portrait of Nigerian corruption. It is impossible to comprehend Nigeria today--from vigilantism and resurgent ethnic nationalism to rising Pentecostalism and accusations of witchcraft and cannibalism--without understanding the role played by corruption and popular reactions to it.
Click here to order.
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