The Pre-Colonial Era (800 C.E. - 1860)
-From the beginning, Nigerian geography has dictated political, social, and economic development. Change occurred through cultural diffusion, the spread of the customs and beliefs of other people. Most important was the diffusion of Islam, a change that was gradual, with conversion to the religion occurring slowly but steadily over time.
-In 1808 Fulani established the Sokoto Caliphate, a Muslim state that encompassed the entire Northwest, North, midsection, and part of the Northeast. This established a tradition of organized, central government based on religious faith.
-In contrast, people in the south generally left communally and in closer contact with the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, even before colonialism they came into contact with the Europeans who converted many of them to Christianity.
-In 1808 Fulani established the Sokoto Caliphate, a Muslim state that encompassed the entire Northwest, North, midsection, and part of the Northeast. This established a tradition of organized, central government based on religious faith.
-In contrast, people in the south generally left communally and in closer contact with the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, even before colonialism they came into contact with the Europeans who converted many of them to Christianity.
The Colonial Era (1860-1960)
-In 1860 the British imposed indirect role, in which they trained natives primarily from the south, to fill the European-style bureaucracy. The British established the area that would become Nigeria in 1860 as a training outlet, where they made use of natural resources and cheap labor.
-The British influence was strongest in the south, emanating from the ports along the coast.
-Another important influence from the colonial era was the introduction of Western-style education. Christian Missionaries set up schools subsidized by the British government, primarily for elementary education.
-The British influence was strongest in the south, emanating from the ports along the coast.
-Another important influence from the colonial era was the introduction of Western-style education. Christian Missionaries set up schools subsidized by the British government, primarily for elementary education.
Modern Nigeria (1960-Present)
-An important change in the early post colonial days came in 1966 when the parliamentary government was replaced by a military dictatorship. This action set in motion the tendency for government to change hands quickly and violently, as the nation began to experience a series of military coups d’état.
-Each election has been rife with fraud and violence, with the election of 2007 probably the worst of all. At the same time, the development of nationalism eluded Nigeria, and created the “national question”, or the possibility that Nigeria would not survive as a country.
-The modern era has also seen ethnic identities become the major basis for conflict in Nigeria.
-Independence brought on a competition among groups, based on heightened awareness of ethnic differences encouraged by the British. Once the British were gone, competition among military generals for control of the country became based on ethnicity, and the heightened tensions have left reconciliation of differences are more difficult.
-Another change brought about during the modern era has been the institutional location of corruption among the political elite this tendency was made much worse by two presidents: Babangida & Abacha.
-Obasanjo brought hope for democracy; however both elections he ran in were characterized by fraud and so the potential for instability is still a threat to the country.
-Each election has been rife with fraud and violence, with the election of 2007 probably the worst of all. At the same time, the development of nationalism eluded Nigeria, and created the “national question”, or the possibility that Nigeria would not survive as a country.
-The modern era has also seen ethnic identities become the major basis for conflict in Nigeria.
-Independence brought on a competition among groups, based on heightened awareness of ethnic differences encouraged by the British. Once the British were gone, competition among military generals for control of the country became based on ethnicity, and the heightened tensions have left reconciliation of differences are more difficult.
-Another change brought about during the modern era has been the institutional location of corruption among the political elite this tendency was made much worse by two presidents: Babangida & Abacha.
-Obasanjo brought hope for democracy; however both elections he ran in were characterized by fraud and so the potential for instability is still a threat to the country.