The national archives of nigeria has fifteen offices. The constitution of nigeria is the supreme law of the federal republic of nigeria nigeria has had a series of constitutions. The history of nigeria before independence in order to understand the current nigerian politics and society, three dominant characteristics need to be taken into account. Apr 14, 2020 brief history of nysc with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of nigeria and the promotion of national unity.
First, the spread of islam, predominantly in the north but later in southwestern nigeria as well, began a. Nigeria is largely seen as a history of electoral fraud and violence. Introduction by the time nigeria gained its independence, it was entering a period of rapid social and economic change, and many people were quite optimistic about its future. Nigerian nationalism is a territorial nationalism, emphasizing a cultural connection of the people to the land in particular the niger and benue rivers. He was declared the winner of the controversial nigerian general election of 2007, held on april 21, and was sworn in on may 29, 2007. In the first republic, the last governorgeneral of nigeria, dr. In a series of fascinating studies terence ranger and others have. The earliest occupants of nigeria settled in the forest belt and in the niger delta region.
The current constitution was enacted on 29 may 1999, inaugurating the nigerian fourth republic past constitutions colonial era 19141960 nigerias. Geographical, historical and political profiles of nigeria. Lukman that nigeria badly needed a leadership that can rescue the country from the depth of chronic indiscipline, disorder. Nigeria yesterday today by godwin sogolo is definitely one of the best history books to read. There is a widened western educational gap between the north and south of nigeria with the predominantly muslim areas of the north lagging behind due to some historical antecedents. An appraisal of precipitating factors in nigeria olayiwola victor ojo m sc political science, university of ilorin, ilorin, nigeria abstract nigerias electoral politics from independence has been tumultuous. However, the implication of nigeria s electoral history for the. The current constitution was enacted on 29 may 1999, inaugurating the nigerian fourth republic. Nigerian nationalism asserts that nigerians are a nation and promotes the cultural unity of nigerians. The paper integrates nigerias colonial history in the larger picture of her political and economic underdevelopment and in the process suggests new explanation for underdevelopment and structural inequality in nigeria linked to colonial legacy and makes some policy. List of books and articles about nigerian history online. It first emerged in the 1920s under the influence of herbert macaulay who is considered the founder of nigerian nationalism. Each location keeps records of colonial administration relating to its particular region, along with newspapers and official government publications. Hassan dardisu from maryam abacha american university niger said thiss very wonderful experience.
This newly formed country would go on to become a republic three years down the line on 1, october, 1963. Kenneth dike was originally appointed the government supervisor of public records and then the director of the archives from 1954 to 1963. University of nigeria virtual library serial no isbn. Introduction nigeria is usually characterised as a deeply divided state in which major political issues are vigorously some would say violently contested along the lines of the complex.
Given the heterogeneity and history of nigeria, it quickly became obvious that political power would be determined by population. The political use of history in contemporary africa takes many forms and so does the scholarly study of it. Research setting dealing with historical information on nigeria. The oldest fossil remains found by archaeologists in the southwestern area of iwo eleru, near akure, have been dated. This paper is a contribution to the debate on democratization and development in nigeria. In precolonial times what is known as nigeria today was just a territory made up of a number of highly influential and diverse societies or kingdoms. They date back as far as the 5th century bc, when communities living around the southern slopes of the jos plateau make wonderfully expressive terracotta figures in a tradition known now as the nok culture, from the nigerian village where these. Udo udoma noted that for the first time in the history of the foundation of british 15. Geographical and historical treatment of nigeria, including maps and statistics as well as a survey of its people, economy, and government. Since then, the nature of the democratic project has been the subject of debate in various circles. Political leadership and corruption in nigeria since.
Nigerian relationship and the establishment of nigeria s regions by the richards constitution of 1946, regional legislatures were granted powers to legislate over a variety of subjects. While no single group enjoys an absolute numeric majority, four major groups constitute 60% of the population. Jan 10, 2016 for the first time in the history of nigeria, the citizenry was hubued with a sense of discipline. Brief history of nysc with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of nigeria and the promotion of national unity. The three main archive locations are zonal offices. The government of nigeria witnessed many structural changes in the few past decades in its political system. The first, he observes is the legislature that can neither modify nor reject executive proposals or legislatures with little or no policy making powers. Nigeria was granted independence on october 1, 1960. The first set of political parties to be formed in nigeria was formed. Abstract the relatively slow pace of nigeria s development has often been attributed to the phenomenon of the resource curse whereby the nature of the state as a rentier dilutes accountability for development and political actors are able to manipulate institutions to sustain poor governance. Evidence of human occupation in nigeria dates back thousands of years.
Contending issues and the way forward idike, adeline nnenna, ph. Hausafulani in the north, yoruba in the west, and igbo in the east. Nnamdi azikiwe became the first president of independent nigeria, with sir. Islam reached nigeria through the borno empire between 1068 ad and hausa states. By examining key themes such as colonialism, religion, slavery, nationalism, and the economy, the authors show how nigerias history has been swayed by the. Today there are estimated to be more than 250 ethnic groups in nigeria. Educational policy in nigeria from the colonial era to the. The beginning of this period saw nigerias economy devastated by the slave trade, and then her people further exploited through the british colonial introduction of. Without pretending to cover the entire field some main forms may be identified. Lagos, is an associate professor in the department of history and strategic studies, university of lagos, nigeria. Nigeria has a population of 186,053,386 july 2016 estimate, making it africas. Abstract the relatively slow pace of nigerias development has often been attributed to the phenomenon of the resource curse whereby the nature of the state as a rentier dilutes accountability for development and political actors are able to manipulate institutions to sustain poor governance. A century in the development of nigeria history essay.
It borders on the gulf of guinea an arm of the atlantic ocean in the south, on benin in the west, on niger in the northwest and north, on. A history of identities, violence, and stability in nigeria. This is a timeline of nigerian history, comprising important legal and territorial changes and political events in nigeria and tis predecessor states. After this period the country has managed to survive and redefine kits comprehensive political system. However, little is known to the outside world about the many exciting tourist attractions available in nigeria. Joseph chike edozien, is a professor of nutrition at the massachusetts institute of technology, cambridge, from whatever way examined traditional rulers they remain relevant. History of political parties in nigeria will never be complete if mention is not made of the various political bigwigs in the history of this country. Political economy of the petroleum sector in nigeria. Nigerias flag consists of three equal vertical bands of green, white, and green. The research also observed that the nigerian political system is a federal republic with a pres. The political history of nigeria presents itself in three parts, the precolonial politics. Tafawa balewa serving as the first and only prime minister of the country the government of the first republic did not last as it came to a halt via several coup attempts with the first. It examines the historical connections between ethnic inequalities, governance and conflict in nigeria and the various efforts at reforming the entrenched ethnic.
Governmental and political history of nigeria the first republic. While it is easy to look back into the history of nigeria and its development, it is far more difficult to look into its future in the face of all the odds that have so. He served as governor of katsina state in northern nigeria between may 29, 1999 and may 28, 2007. Numerous ancient african civilizations settled in the region that is today nigeria, such as the kingdom of nri, the benin empire, and the oyo empire. Nigerias history of poor governance and extreme poverty in the north. Feb 02, 2015 in his book, history and the law of the constitution of nigeria, dr. He is also considered to be the father of the nigerian archives. Harold smith, a former colonial officer, wrote in his autobiography, the blue collar lawman, that the census figures of 1952 were rigged in favor of the northern region. History of political parties in nigeria nigerian finder. Although the years since nigerias return to civilian rule in 1999 have seen an increased interest in its history and politics, nigeria remains one of the most underresearched african countries. Embassy of the federal republic of nigeria history.
The history of nationalism in nigeria and most postcolonial african states has been more of negative reports and complaints about civil strife resulting from difficulties in interethnic relations than of a growth of the spirit of unity which appeared to have characterized the nigerianafrican nationalist struggles odimegwu,2006. Nigerian government and politics political science project. The oldest fossil remains found by archaeologists in the southwestern area of iwo eleru, near akure, have been dated to about 9000 bce. There is a widened western educational gap between the north and south of nigeria with the predominantly muslim areas of the north lagging behind due to some. Gwam followed soon afterwards on april 1, 1964 to become the director of the archives until his death on july 2, 1965 s. An analysis grace malachi brown, phd department of history and diplomatic studies faculty of humanities rivers state university of education pmb 5047, rumuolumeni port harcourt, rivers state nigeria. First, the spread of islam began a millennium ago, predominantly in the north but later on extended to southwestern nigeria. A new constitution established a federal system with an elected prime minister and a ceremonial head of state. Nigerian relationship and the establishment of nigerias regions by the richards constitution of 1946, regional legislatures were granted powers to legislate over a variety of subjects.
Historic sites nestled amid rivers and rain forests, breathtaking. The ncnc, now headed by azikiwe who had taken control after macaulays death in 1946, formed a coalition with balewas npc after neither party won a majority in the 1959 elections. Nigeria emerged as a nationstate by 1960 and after the economic strife that followed world war ii for britain, a rapid economic development of nigeria was not in their interests. The traditional ruler of oko in orumba north local government area of anambra state, obi prof. However, the implication of nigerias electoral history for the. The constitution of nigeria is the supreme law of the federal republic of nigeria. It borders on the gulf of guinea an arm of the atlantic ocean in the south, on benin in the west, on niger in the northwest and north, on chad in the northeast, and on cameroon in the east. The purpose of the scheme is primarily to inculcate in nigerian youths the spirit of selfless service to the community, and to emphasize the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all. Educational policy in nigeria hauwa imam educational policy in nigeria from the colonial era to the postindependence period hauwa imam1 abstract. Nigeria, nationalism, and writing history, authored by toyin falola and saheed aderinto, is a comprehensive analysis of the history of the societies that have constituted the nigerian geographic region since the amalgamation of the colonial provinces of northern and southern nigeria in 1914. The political culture in nigeria is characterized by intolerance, intimidation, thuggery, assassination, bitterness, apathy, indolence, money and ethnic politics. If you know nothing about government and affairs of state, there are politics books for beginners on jumia that will give you an insight into the relevance of democracy and the fight for justice. Much has been said and written about nigeria, her people and culture, economy and politics, that sheds light on the tremendous potential of this african giant. Full text full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version.
In his book, history and the law of the constitution of nigeria, dr. D department of public administration and local government university of nigeria, nsukka abstract it has been highlighted in this study that political apathy is a seemingly innocuous issue in the. Project muse nigeria, nationalism, and writing history. It operates the presidential system of government with three distinct but complementary arms namely the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, each acting as a check on. The book critically engages methods, theories, and analyses that have shaped the intellectual history of. Political leadership and corruption in nigeria since 1960. Aside discussing the political parties in nigeria, this write up will equally discuss about the political history of nigeria. The history of nigeria can be traced to prehistoric settlers nigerians living in the area as early as 1100 bc. How effective is the federal character commission in nigeria. Violence has continued to mar the conduct of almost all. Get a printable copy pdf file of the complete article 257k, or click on a page image below to browse page by page.
She is presently assistant professor of african history at roanoke college. It notes that since the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates of nigeria in 1914, the polity has been battling forces of disunity including leadership bankruptcy, ethnoreligious crises and the minority question. Several dominant themes in nigerian history are essential for understanding contemporary nigerian politics and society. Other articles where history of nigeria is discussed. Lawlessness seemed to be on his way out of the land, while civil and cultured behaviours began to a regular feature of the nations daily life, especially in the cities. This post is about the governmental and political history of nigeria. Boko haram is a radical islamist movement shaped by its nigerian context and reflecting. On 1, october 1960, nigeria, after several years of british colonial rule, became an independent nation. Nigerias present democratization, which culminated in the countrys fourth republic on may 29, 1999, started amidst great hope and expectations. Islam reached nigeria through the borno empire between 1068 ad and hausa states around 85 ad during the 11th century, while. Indeed, there has been a linear relationship between nigerias history of election administration and the inability to enthrone a democratic order in the country. Indeed, there has been a linear relationship between nigeria s history of election administration and the inability to enthrone a democratic order in the country. Maduka austin from university of nigeria nsukka said thank you for your sincerity and prompt delivery, i tell you, you guys will go places if you maintain your sincerity and continue like this. As a result of this, the ingredients of democracy have not been able to thrive after many years of political independence in nigeria.