GST 112 Test Compilations 10

Study Summary: Nigerian History, Culture, Society, and Governance

This summary highlights key aspects of Nigerian history, cultural practices, socio-economic dynamics, and governance structures as presented in the provided document. It covers pre-colonial eras, colonial influences, post-independence challenges, and the evolution of various societal norms and institutions.

I. Governance and History of Nigeria

• Pre-Colonial Governance: The leadership of Kanem-Borno before the Shehu was referred to as the Mai. During pre-colonial times, many Nigerian communities comprised largely self-sufficient traditional communities.
• British Colonialism:
  • The British colonial administration introduced laws under the Indirect Rule system, which reportedly freed women from domestic violence.
  • The Indirect Rule system in Nigeria primarily favored local autonomy but did not encourage the use of Native Militias.
  • Colonial scholars described certain Nigerian communities with "autochthones" or "stateless societies" as having non-centralized political institutions.
  • Colonialism discriminated against Nigerians by encouraging segregated reservations or settlements.
  • Nigeria was given her name by Lady Lugard.
  • Kaduna was founded by the British in 1913.
  • The King of Lagos who ceded territory to the British in 1861 was Oba Dosunmu.
• Major Historical Events & Figures:
  • The Fulani Jihad was launched at the beginning of the 19th century.
  • The Aba Women Riot occurred in the Twentieth century.
  • The execution of environmentalist and human rights activist Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa took place on 10 Nov, 1995.
  • At the end of the Nigerian Civil War, Gowon extended The olive branch. Chief Obafemi Awolowo served as Minister of Finance during this war.
  • The "Iwe Irohin" was published by the CMS (Church Missionary Society).
  • Samuel Johnson wrote "The History of the Yorubas from the Earliest Times" in 1897.
• Economic Dependency: A main feature of dependency in the colony was its reliance on the external or metropolitan economy.

II. Religion and Cultural Practices

• Religious Institutions & Practices:
  • Women could not be ordained as bishops/prophetesses in the Catholic Church of Nigeria.
  • The Ulama's functions included all except "Conquest of the faithful."
  • Christianity was first introduced to Southern Nigeria during the 15th century.
  • Early Christian missionary activities in Nigeria had a three-pronged approach: Christianization, Commerce, and Civilization.
  • The concept of "the Bible and the Plough" was adopted by Christian missions to promote Agriculture and Christianity.
  • The first half of the 20th century saw the emergence of various African Churches, with Charismatic Renewals World (CRW) being an exception among them.
  • The establishment of "Nigerian Native Churches" indicated Nigerians could throw off the yoke of "spiritual or religious" colonialism.
  • Patriarchal structures do not hinder the elevation of women in African Indigenous Churches (AICs), but women played key roles in traditional religion.
  • Islamisation of Borno reached its peak during the reign of Mai Idris Alooma.
  • Widespread practices in pre-jihad Hausaland included pouring libations on rocks, venerating trees and rocks, and religious polytheism, but not Christian missionary activities.
  • Factors that did not contribute to the spread of Islam in Yorubaland include the installation of the Ooni in the 19th century.
  • The major religious crisis in Northern Nigeria in the early 1980s was caused by the Maitatsine group.
  • All except good neighborliness are causes of religious crises in Nigeria.
• Traditional Culture and Values:
  • Aspects of cultural heritage include funeral, marriage, and naming ceremonies, but not matriculation ceremonies.
  • Amongst the Ibibio, the death of a child was ascribed to witchcraft.
  • Committing adultery was considered an abomination, and its immediate consequence was divorce.
  • In most Nigerian communities, incest was seen as an abomination.
  • Marriages in most communities usually start with introduction.
  • Seclusion in purdah may curtail the freedom of women.
  • Most traditional laws were not particularly favorable to widows.
  • A forgotten aspect of Nigerian culture useful for the present generation is chastity within and without marriage.
• Western Influences: Profound socio-cultural Western influences on Nigeria include religion and education.

III. Society, Economy, and Urbanization

• Corruption:
  • The fight against corruption in Nigeria has not been worsened by spiritual forces.
  • A regime of quick and easy money in Nigeria did not encourage diligence.
  • In traditional Nigerian society, those who engaged in corrupt acts were openly shamed.
  • When crude oil export replaced agriculture, the culture of corruption escalated.
  • One effect of corruption in Nigeria is election rigging.
  • The legal system encourages corruption through various ways, except when it is capable of pursuing justice and equity.
  • Manipulation of electoral processes leads to all except the production of legitimate leaders.
• Gender Roles and Development:
  • Globalization has influenced gender roles over time.
  • The major challenge of the Better Life Programme was the neglect of rural women.
  • Foreign Pentecostal Churches initially excluded the willingness of white priests to subordinate themselves to African leadership.
• Urbanization:
  • Before the 1930s, Abuja was not an urban center.
  • A large human settlement with extensive systems of utilities, transportation, housing, and a huge demography is defined as A City.
  • Urban culture includes various practices, belief systems, social forms, etc., of city dwellers.
  • The sociological analysis of a city comprises its various social compositions and their interactions with one another.
  • The way urban dwellers think, live, and relate with one another is part of urban culture.
  • The economic status of a city significantly determines its financial health.
• Economic Activities:
  • JK Coker and J A Lakeru were missionaries who contributed to the spread of cocoa cultivation in Yorubaland.
  • Federal control of crude oil production has deprived host communities of the fiscal revenue accruing from oil production.
  • The political economy of colonialism was largely exploitative.
• Social Issues: Secret cults have contributed to the untimely death of many undergraduate students in Nigerian universities.
• Education: All except Clement Isong played noticeable roles in the introduction of American education in Nigeria. Reverend C. E. Smith had a lasting influence on N. D. Oyerinde.
• Migration: Brazilian returnees settled mainly in Lagos and Abeokuta.
• Ethnicity: The Affade ethnic group is found in Borno state.