Some historical landmarks of the American Dream
---------1400---------------1500----------1700---------1800-----------1807---------
-----1954---------------1906---------19th century----------1865-------1861-------
-----01.10.1960-----------1963---------------1967-1970----------1975-1983------
trade and
animal breeding
are the biggest
businesses in
economy
the
British
took
over the
slave
market
the British
are trying to
stop the
slave trade
and all in-
cluded wars
annexati
on of
Lagos as
a British
colony
inner Nigerian
conflict: Fulani
(north
Muslims) vs.
Hausa (south
Christians)
official
beginning
of coloniza-
tion from
Nigeria
Nigeria be-
comes a fede-
ration (fight for
independence)
→1960: federal
republic
three-year
Nigerian Civil
War→ Biafra
War
Nigeria becomes a
republic, remains
a member of the
Commonwealth
first period of
Nigerian
democracy
Voices from the African Continent: Focus on Nigeria
first „slave
hunter“
brought Nige-
rian people to
America (slave
trade started)
Nigeria
Facts and figures:
Life expactancy: 59,3 years
Median age: 18,4 years
Access to improved drinking water supply: 68,5%
Access to improved sanitation facilities: 29%
Access to electricity: 59,3%
Internet users: 25,7%
GDP by sector Agriculture: 21,1%
Industry: 22%
Services: 56,4%
Population below poverty line: 70%
Urban Population: 50,3%
Unemployment rate: 16,5%
Nigerian flag:
→ Nigeria gained independence in 1960
→ designed by Micheal Taiwo Akinkunmi
→ green stripes represent the wealth and the white
band the peace
slavery was
banned by
the British
Parliament
British gained
control →
1914: north
and south
united by
British Empire
Nigeria achieved
independence
from the United
Kingdom
Nigeria and the oil industry:
→ Nigeria is a federal state in West Africa. With over 200 million
inhabitants (2018), it is by far the most populous country in Africa and
the country with the seventh largest population worldwide. In the period
from 1989 to 2019, the country's population doubled.
→ Nigeria is the largest oil and gas producer in Africa. They depend on
the oil industry. → The money coming from the oil is not reinvested in
schools, health or infrastructure. → Mostly used to pay off debts.
More problems:
→ national Identity problem, religious tension between groups
→ large portion of population lives below the poverty line
→ inequality: wide gap between rich and poor
→ high level of child mortality
→ poor education, child labour
→ home violence
→ overpopulation
→ pollution
Boko Haram:
→ Boko Haram is an Islamist terrorist group in northern Nigeria that is
also active in the neighboring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
→ Boko Haram advocates the introduction of Sharia law across Nigeria
and the ban on Western education; it also refuses to participate in
elections. Boko Haram is known for murdering Christians and Muslims
who do not support them. Ethnically, most of the members of Boko
Haram belong to the Kanuri people.
Overview:
Population: 214 million people (2021)
Population rank: 7
Capital: Lagos with 22 million inhabitants
Motto: 'Unity and faith, peace and progress'
Government: Federal Republic of Nigeria
Head of the state and government: President Muhammadu
Buhari
Languages: English (official language)
Religion: Muslims 53%, Christians 45% and indigenous beliefs
Cultures: 250 ethnic groups (three major groups: Hausa-
Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo)
Currency: 1 Naira = 0,0022 Euro
Literacy: 63%
National Day: 1 October (Independence Day)
National Animal: eagle
National Colours: green and white
National Anthem: 'Arise - o Compatriots' is sung in English.:
Currency: 1 Naira = 100 Kobo .
Nollywood
→ second largest film industry
→ one of the factors that contribute
to the economy of Nigeria
→ low quality
→ lack of script/ resources
→ simple stories with a predictable
storytime
→ „classics“ often mirror the
expectations of people‘s daily lifes
→ contain a strong moral message
Economical problems:
The Ibo culture:
→ dominate in five states in southeastern
Nigeria (Abia, Enugu, Imo, Anambra,
Ebonyi)
→ christian majority
→ long tradition of agriculture and
business
→ freethinkers, fair, democratic, honest
→ women have a voice
→ Ibo man is more consultative than
authoritarian
→ spoken language: Igbo
The Yoruba culture:
→ dominate the southwestern part
of Nigeria (includes Lagos, Ondo,
Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo)
→ spiritually open; accept both
Christianity and Islam
→ they are controlled by their
hierarchical rulers, the „Oba“, who
in many exercise absolute authority
→ polygamous family model
→ most Yoruba people speak the
Yoruba language
The Hausa culture:
→ dominate the entire Northern part of Nigeria
→ Hausaland is by far the greatest in territory and population
→ principal cities are Kano and Kaduna
→ agriculture
→ are dominated politically and religiously by powerful absolute rulers
called Emirs whose word is basically the law
→ conservative
→ women hardly have any rights (treated like second-class citizens)
→ polygamous family model
Ethnic diversity in Nigeria:
→ Nigeria is home to more than 250 ethnic groups. The three largest are the Hausa-
Fulani, the Igbo and the Yoruba. Together they account for roughly 68% of the population.
The rest of Nigeria‘s ethnic groups live all over the country.
