Olusegun Obasanjo

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Nigeria

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | © World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Nigeria

area:

923,770sq km (356,668sq mi)

population:

105,000,000

capital (population):

Abuja (350,000)

government:

Federal republic

ethnic groups:

Hausa 21%, Yoruba 21%, Ibo (or Igbo) 19%, Fulani 11%, Ibibio 6%

languages:

English (official)

religions:

Christianity (Protestant 26%, Roman Catholic 12%, others 11%), Islam 45%

currency:

Naira = 100 kobo

Republic in w Africa. The Federal Republic of Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa. It has a sandy coastline, fringed by a belt of mangrove swamps and lagoons, which includes the former capital, Lagos. The Niger and Benue rivers meet in central Nigeria, and run s into the Niger Delta, where Benin City is situated. North of the coastal lowlands is a hilly region of rainforest and savanna. At the foot of the great plateau of Nigeria lies the city of Ibadan. The plateau is a region of high wooded and savanna plains, and includes the capital, Abuja. In the extreme ne lies the Lake Chad basin. In the nw lies the Sokoto plains. The Adamawa Highlands extend along the se border with Cameroon, and contain Nigeria's highest point, at 2042m (6699ft).

Climate and Vegetation

Lagos has a tropical climate, with high temperatures and rain throughout the year. The n is drier and often hotter than the s, though the highlands are cooler. Kano in n central Nigeria has a marked dry season from October to April. Behind the coastal swamps are rainforests, although farmers have cleared large areas. The plateau contains large areas of tropical savanna with forested river valleys. Open grassland and semi-arid scrub occur in drier areas. To the n lie the dry grasslands of the Sahel.

History and Politics

Excavations around the Nigerian village of Nok have uncovered some of the oldest and most beautiful examples of African sculpture. The Nok civilization flourished between 500 bc and ad 200. In the 11th century, the Kanem-Bornu kingdom extended s from Lake Chad into Nigeria, and the Hausa established several city-states. In sw Nigeria, the state of Benin and the Yoruba kingdom of Oyo flourished in the 15th century. They produced superb brass, bronze and ivory sculptures. The Songhai Empire dominated n Nigeria in the early 16th century.

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach the Nigerian coast, and they established trading links with Benin in the late 15th century. Nigeria became a centre of the slave trade, with major European powers competing for control. The Igbo established city-states built on the wealth of the trade. In the early 19th century, the Fulani captured many of the Hausa city-states. Sokoto retained its independence. The sw began a protracted civil war. In 1807, Britain renounced the slave trade, but other countries continued the practice. In 1861, Britain seized Lagos, ostensibly to stop the trade. By 1885, Britain controlled all of s Nigeria and gradually extended northwards. By 1906, Britain had conquered all of Nigeria, and divided the country into the Colony (Lagos) and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria. The two merged in 1914, and Britain ruled indirectly through colonial officials and local rulers. Cities, infrastructure and industries developed. In 1954, Nigeria federated into three regions (n, e, and w) plus the territory of Lagos. In 1960, Nigeria gained independence. It became a republic in 1963. The division of Nigeria into 30 states reflected the fact that it contains more than 250 ethnic and language groups, and several religious ones. In 1966, Igbo army officers staged a successful coup, but a Hausa-led coup quickly toppled the regime. In 1967, the Igbo, increasingly concerned for their safety within the federation, formed the independent republic of Biafra. For the next three years, civil war raged before Biafra finally capitulated.

The early 1970s were more peaceful. Nigeria expanded its oil industry and joined OPEC in 1971. Oil revenue created widespread government corruption and widened the wealth gap. Drought in the Sahel killed much livestock and led to mass migration to the s. After several military coups, civilian rule briefly returned in 1979. Following 1983 elections, the military seized power again. Between 1960 and 1996, Nigeria enjoyed only nine years of civilian government. The military government declared the 1993 presidential elections, won by Chief Moshood Abiola, invalid. The army commander in chief, General Sanni Abacha, gained power. In 1994, nationwide demonstrations prompted Abiola to form a rival government, but he was swiftly arrested. In 1995 Abacha received an open-ended term in office, vowing to restore civilian rule by 1998. His regime was criticized for human rights abuses and the suppression of opposition. After the execution of nine activists, Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations (1995–99).

In 1998, Abacha died and General Abubakar succeeded. In July 1998, Abiola's death in prison prompted widespread rioting. In 1999 elections, General Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military ruler (1976–79) of Nigeria, became president. In 2000, the adoption of Islamic Sharia law by some of Nigeria's n states led to violent clashes between Muslims and Christians.

Economy

Nigeria is a low income developing country, with great economic potential (2000 GDP per capita, US$950). Corruption is an endemic problem. Nigeria is the world's eleventh-largest producer of crude oil, which accounts for 95% of its exports. Agriculture employs 43% of the workforce. It is the world's third-largest producer of palm oil and palm kernels, fourth-largest producer of groundnuts, sixth-largest producer of cocoa, and seventh-largest producer of rubber. Cattle rearing is important in the n grasslands, while fishing is a major activity in the s. Manufacturing is diversifying. Products include chemicals and clothing. Nigeria has oil refineries, vehicle assembly plants, and steel mills.

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.nopa.net

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Olusegun Obasanjo

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Olusegun Obasanjo 1937-, Nigerian military officer and political leader, b. Abeokuta. Obasanjo, who joined the army in 1958 and rose quickly to general, was a key commander during the secession of Biafra (1967-70). He was Gen. Murtala Muhammad's deputy during his presidency, and succeeded him when Muhammad was assassinated in 1976. In 1979, Obasanjo voluntarily stepped down after the election of President Shehu Shagari . A vocal opponent of Sani Abacha's military dictatorship in the early 1990s, Obasanjo was jailed in 1995 and released after Abacha's death in 1998. He became leader of the dominant People's Democratic party and was elected president in 1999, ending 16 years of military rule. Obasanjo announced that he would fight corruption and improve the economy. These goals have only been partially achieved at best, and Nigeria has struggled with renewed ethnic and religious strife. He was reelected in 2003, but the election was marred by vote rigging. His reputation was further tarnished by his subsequent attempts to change the constitution to permit a third presidential term and to thwart his vice president from running for president and by the blatant fraud in the 2007 presidential and legislative elections. He was succeeded (2007) as president by Umaru Yar'Adua . Subsequently, various government bodies investigated possible corruption involving Obasanjo, his family, and his associates.

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