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Nigeria

GOVT 122: Comparative Politics
Sweet Briar College
Instructor: Dr. Andrew Clem
For use of enrolled SBC students ONLY.

Years Leader(s)
1950- (Brit. colony)
1955- (Brit. colony)
1960- Balewa
1965- Gowon
1970- Gowon
1975- Obasanjo
1980- Shegari, Buhari
1985- Babangida
1990- Babangida, Abacha
1995- Abacha
2000- Obasanjo
2005- Obasanjo, Yaradua

Years indicated above are approximate. For more detail, see the Foreign Leaders page, with a year-by-year chronology.

Basic facts:
Political system:Presidential republic
National leader:Pres. Umaru Musa Yar'adua (2007-)
Structure:Federal
Regime founded:1999
Democracy:Weak, transitional
Population:135 million
Per capita GDP:$1,500

Distinctive features:

  • Muslims in north: Hausa-Fulani
  • Christians and animists in south: Yoruba, Igbo
  • Aspires to leadership role in Africa; peacekeeping.
  • History of instability and military government.
  • Petroleum wealth is squandered by corrupt government officials; "prebendalism."
 Germany map

To see a continental-scale map, roll the mouse over the map above.
Click on it to see a key that explains the map symbols.

Political parties:

Name All Nigeria Peoples' Party United Nigeria Peoples Party Democratic People's Party Fresh Democratic Party Peoples Democratic Party
Seats*: ? ? ? ? ?

NOTES: ? Seats in lower house have not yet been announced. Party orientation is uncertain.
SOURCES: Mark Kessleman, et al., Introduction to Comparative Politics; CIA World Factbook, various newspapers.

the incredible shrinking Lake Chad