Quick FactsPopulation: About 120 million

Ethnic Groups: More than 250, 4000 dialectsSize: 577,355 sq miles; that is two and a half times the size of

California.Number of States: 36 plus Abuja, the Federal Capital territory

Major Ethnic Groups: Yoruba, Fulani, Igbo and Nok

Early History

Nok People – located in central NigeriaCreated early terracotta sculptures that suggested their social structure was influences by the Egyptians

Fulani Empire – Northern part of the countryProspered as a trading post between North and West Africa1903 population and land divided among the Europeans

Yoruba Kingdoms – Southwestern NigeriaTheir mythology pre-dates any other civilization

Igbo People – Southeast NigeriaOldest Kingdom in NigeriaLost it’s sovereignty to the British in 1911

Colonial Era• Spanish and Portuguese were the first Europeans to start a trade with Nigeria • Britain abolished its slave trade in 1807.• West Africa Squadron – Established by the British in an attempt to abolish

International slave trade.• Nigeria became a protectorate of the British Empire in the late 19th century• Western education and development of a modern economy proceeded in the South –

lead to political consequences and a North/South division that still exists today.• After WWII – Nigerian Nationalism and demands for independence were strong.

Post-Independence

• Nigeria gained it’s independence from Britain on October 1st, 1960.

• Two parties; Nigerian People’s Congress (NPC) comprised of Northerners and those of the Islamic faith. National council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) Comprised of the Igbo and the Christians

• Cultural and political differences between Nigeria’s dominant ethnicities was sharp.

Recent History• Nigeria joined OPEC as an oil producer in the 1970’s.• Economy became completely dependent on oil.• Military ruled from began in 1966• Nigeria e-achieved democracy in 1999• Ethnic violence over oil production and inadequate

infrastructure still plague Nigeria today.