NIGERIA

The Giant of Africa

Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of

Nigeria, is a federal constitutional
republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital
Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West
Africa and shares land borders with the Republic
of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroonin the east,
and Niger in the north. Its coast in the south lies on
the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean. There are
over 500 ethnic groups in Nigeria of which the three
largest ethnic groups are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger

River running through the country. This name was
coined by Flora Shaw, who later married Baron
Lugard, a British colonial administrator, in the late 19th
century. The British colonised Nigeria in the late
nineteenth and early twentieth century, setting up 1. Abuja 14. Edo
administrative structures and law while recognizing 2. Anambra 15. Ekiti 27. Niger
traditional chiefs. Nigeria became independent in 3. Enugu 16. Gombe 28. Ogun
1960. Several years later, it had civil war 4. Akwa Ibom 17. Imo 29. Ondo
as Biafra tried to establish independence. Military 5. Adamawa 18. Jigawa 30. Osun
6. Abia 19. Kaduna 31. Oyo
governments in times of crisis have alternated with
7. Bauchi 20. Kano 32. Plateau
democratically elected governments. States: 8. Bayelsa 21. Katsina 33. Rivers
9. Benue 22. Kebbi 34. Sokoto
10. Borno 23. Kogi 35. Taraba
Nigeria, known as “the Giant of Africa”, is the 11. Cross River 24. Kwara 36. Yobe
most populous country in Africa and the seventh most 12. Delta 25. Lagos 37. Zamfara
populous country in the world.[6] Nigeria is roughly 13. Ebonyi 26. Nasarawa
divided in half between Christians, who mostly live in the South and central parts of the country, and Muslims,
concentrated mostly in the north. A minority of the population practice traditional and local religions, including
the Igbo and Yoruba religions. Its oil reserves have brought great revenues to the country. It is listed among the “Next
Eleven” economies. Nigeria is a member of both the Commonwealth of Nations, and theAfrican Union.

Facts and Statistics

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon

Capital: Abuja

Population: 177,155,754 (2014 est.)

Ethnic Groups: over 250 ethnic groups including Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%,
Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%

Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%

Nigerian literature

Nigerian literature is written in English, Igbo, Urhobo, Yoruba, Hausa, and the other languages of the
country. The languages used by authors in Nigeria are based in part on geography, with authors in the northern part
of the country writing in Hausa.[1] Nigerian authors have won numerous accolades, including the Nobel Prize in
Literature and the Man Booker.

Northern Nigerian Written Literature

Northern Nigerian written literature can be divided into 4 main periods, The first is the 14 kingdoms (10th-19th
century), and the second is the Sokoto period(19th-20th century), the 3rd is the Colonial period(20th century), and
the 4th is post-independence period(20th century to present).

The Fourteen Kingdoms

This period had many Authors who produced many books that dealt with theology, history, biography, maths,
language, writing, documentaries, geography, astronomy, diplomacy and poetry.

Some of the Known Authors and some of their works

 Ibn Furtu, was the Chronicler of Mai Idris Alooma, he produced two historical works called the Book of the
Bornu wars, and Book of the Kanem wars that details the wars that transformed Bornu from an independent
Sultanate into an Empire. These works were produced in 1576 and 1578 respectively.

 Muhammad abd al-Razzaq al-Fallati was a 16th-century Fulbe scholar in Hausaland who wrote K.fi'l-tawhid

 Uthman Ibn Idris of Borno sent a letter to the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt in 1391-1392. The letter was one of a
diplomatic nature, it also contained poetry and an erudite understanding of Islamic law. This letter contains
the earliest extant indigenous written poem produced in Nigeria.[2]

 Muhammad al-Maghili wrote On The Obligations of Princes in Kano for Muhammad Rumfa in the 15th
century. Al-Maghili was a berber from North Africa who was born in an area that is now Algeria.

 Muhammad ibn al-Sabbagh was a 17th-century scholar and author from Katsina, Northern Nigeria. He was
celebrated during and well after his time he wrote praise poetry for the Sultan of Borno's conquest against
the Jukun people. He also wrote a poem praising the Sultan of Katsina Muhammad Uban Yari.

 Muhammad ibn Masani was the student of Muhammad ibn al Sabbagh and also a celebrated scholar from
Katsina. He also produced works in the Hausa language during the 17th century. He wrote many works, one
of them was a documentary on the Yoruba people, this work was mentioned by Muhammad Bello who lived
some 200 years later in his Infaq'l-Maysuur. Azhar al-ruba fi akhbar Yuruba was one of the earliest written
accounts on the transatlantic slave trade by an indigenous African, which he also noted that free Muslim
people were taken from all parts of Hausaland and sold to European Christians. He also wrote to a Jurist in
Yorubaland explaining how to determine the time for the sunset prayer. His work in Hausa was a poem he
had heard from a woman in Katsina, called Wakar Yakin Badara. So far it is known that he has Authored ten
books.
  Abdullahi Suka was a 17th-century Kano scholar of Fulbe ancestry who is said to have written the oldest
extant literature in Hausa with his work Riwayar Annabi Musa. He also authored Al-Atiya li'l muti(The gift of
the donor) and many others.

 Salih ibn Isaq wrote an account of Birnin Garzargamu in 1658, describing the capital city of Borno during the
reign of Mai Ali ibn Al Hajj Umar

 Sheikh Jibril ibn Umar was an 18th-century scholar and author, in his work Shifa al-Ghalil he attacked
Muslims who mixed indigenous beliefs with Islam. Admixture of Animists practices and Islam was one of the
main reasons given for the Jihad of Uthman dan Fodio during the 19th Century.

Notable writers

Nigeria has produced a number of important writers, who have won accolades for their work,
including Daniel O. Fagunwa, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Femi Osofisan, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Cyprian
Ekwensi, Buchi Emecheta, Elechi Amadi, Tanure Ojaide and Ben Okri. Soyinka, a Yoruba native speaker writing
mainly in English, received the 1986 Nobel Prize in literature, becoming the first African Literature Nobel Prize
winner.

Other significant writers, of a younger generation, include Chris Abani, Ayobami Adebayo, Chimamanda
Ngozi Adichie, Yemisi Aribisala, Sefi Atta, A. Igoni Barrett, Helon Habila, Chigozie Obioma, Helen Oyeyemi, Nnedi
Okorafor, Chinelo Okparanta, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Chika Unigwe, Ogaga Ifowodo, Gift Foraine Amukoyo and Teju
Cole. Some, including Ifowodo, Cole and Adichie, are based in the West.

Wole Soyinka was the first black African to win the Nobel Prize for literature. Previously, Claude Simon and Albert
Camus, born in French Madagascar and French-held Algeria, respectively, had won the prize. Soyinka was awarded
the prize as he "...in a wide cultural perspective and with poetic overtones fashions the drama of existence".

Chinua Achebe was awarded the Man Booker International prize in recognition of his entire career as a novelist and
author in 2007. Other finalists for the prize included Ian McEwanand Salman Rushdie. In awarding the prize, Nadine
Gordimer referred to Achebe as "the father of modern African literature".

A list of "100 Most Influential Nigerian Writers Under 40 (Year 2016)" was published on 28 December 2016
on the Nigerian Writers Awards website.

The Study of Language in Nigerian Literature

Scholarly investigations into the stylistic makeup of Nigerian literature have so far mostly focused on the
typically ‘African’ linguistic features found in the works of first-generation authors. These elements include not only
proverbs and idioms but also, for instance, the protago-nists’ use of Nigerian Pidgin, a language that mixes English
and local mother tongues. It is generally acknowledged that, in the twentieth century, African writers’ ‘indigenization’
of English allowed them to appropriate the former colonizer’s language, and thus use literature as a tool of resistance
against oppression. While this still holds true for the new generation of Nigerian writers, the latter’s work is more
markedly characterized by the introduction of postmodern writing techniques, such as the presence of an unreliable
narrator or the use of fragmented syntactic structures. These novel features of Nigerian literature have only received
scant attention to date.

The New Generation of Nigerian Writers

 The beginning of the twenty-first century marked the advent of the so-called ‘third generation’ of Nigerian
writers, most of whom live in Europe or the United States. These younger authors are at once heirs to the Nigerian
literary tradition and symbols of a new creative movement. Indeed, like Achebe and Soyinka, novelists such as
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chris Abani and Chika Unigwe explore the cultural and social complexities of their
country of origin, but they examine other themes as well, among which immigration to Europe and America. Beyond
thematic innovation, the younger writers’ work also conveys a new type of sensitivity: for example, their narratives
show a particular interest in the exploration of characters’ emotional development.

ChimamandaNgozi Adichie. Some of the themes explored in her fiction include the influence of religion in
contemporary Nigeria, the Biafranwar, and immigration to the United States. Major prose works: Purple
Hibiscus(novel, 2003), Half of a Yellow Sun(novel, 2006), The Thing around Your Neck(collection of short stories,
2009).

Chika Unigwe. Some of the subjects examined in her work are physical and mental illness, immigration to Belgium,
and prostitution. Major prose works: The Phoenix(novel, 2007, first published in Dutch translation as De feniks,
2005), On Black Sisters’ Street(novel, 2009, first published in Dutch translation as Fata morgana, 2007).

Chris Abani. His fiction broaches a wide range of topics, from the Biafran war to family relationships, and provides
reflections on art, gender, race, violence and religion. Chris Abaniis also a poet. •Major prose works:
Graceland(novel, 2004), Becoming Abigail(novella, 2006), Song for Night(novella, 2007), The Virgin of Flames(novel,
2007).

Sefi Atta. Her novels and short stories focus on themes including drug trafficking and gender relations in
contemporary Nigeria.

Helon Habila. Some of the topics explored in her work are mental illness, Yoruba and Cuban mythology,
homosexuality and the supernatural.

Culture, Tradition, and Custom of Nigeria

Culture

Language in Nigeria

The number of languages currently estimated and cataloged in Nigeria is 521. This number includes 510
living languages, 2 second languages without native speakers and 9 extinct languages.

The official language of Nigeria, English, was chosen to facilitate the cultural and linguistic unity of the
country post-colonization by the British. The major native languages spoken in Nigeria represent three major families
of African languages - the majority are Niger-Congo languages, such as Yoruba, Ibo, the Hausa language is Afro-
Asiatic; and Kanuri, spoken in the northeast, primarily Borno State, is a member of the Nilo-Saharan family. Even
though most ethnic groups prefer to communicate in their own languages, English, being the official language, is
widely used for education, business transactions and for official purposes. English as a first language, however,
remains an exclusive preserve of a small minority of the country's urban elite, and is not spoken at all in some rural
areas.
Religion

Many religions are followed in Nigeria. The constitution guarantees religious freedom. Christians
predominantly live in the south of the country, whereas Muslims live predominantly in the north. Native religions in
which people believe in deities, spirits and ancestor worship, are spread throughout the country. Many Muslims and
Christians may also intertwine their beliefs with more unorthodox indigenous ones.

The major Christian celebrations of Christmas and Easter are recognized as national holidays. Muslims
observe Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and the two Eids. Working hours in the north often vary from those in
the south so that Muslims do not work on their holy day, which is Friday.

National Pride

Along with South Africa, Nigeria is considered a super-power in the African continent and consequently
Nigerians are generally proud of their country. It has the largest population in Africa and the land is endowed with
vast quantities of natural resources. It is the sixth largest oil-producing nation and has a well-educated and
industrious society. They are fond of the expression, "When Nigeria sneezes, the rest of the African nations (with the
exception of South Africa) catch cold."

The Family

Extended families are still the norm and are in fact the backbone of the social system. Grandparents,
cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers and in-laws all work as a unit through life.
Family relationships are guided by hierarchy and seniority. Social standing and recognition is achieved through
extended families. Similarly a family's honour is influenced by the actions of its members. Individuals turn to
members of the extended family for financial aid and guidance, and the family is expected to provide for the welfare
of every member. Although the role of the extended family is diminishing somewhat in urban areas, there remains a
strong tradition of mutual caring and responsibility among the members.

Hierarchy

Nigeria is a hierarchical society. Age and position earns, even demands, respect. Age is believed to confer
wisdom so older people are granted respect. The oldest person in a group is revered and honoured. In a social
situation, they are greeted and served first. In return the most senior person has the responsibility to make decisions
that are in the best interest of the group.

Traditions

Pre-Marital Introduction Ceremonies, aka “Courtship”

No matter how long you’ve been courting your partner, the relationship remains unrecognised until the
formal introduction ceremony. However, this also means the couple is ready to tie the proverbial knot. The
introduction ceremony traditionally takes place in the bride-to-be’s family home. Her fiance’s people come to the
house to pay their respects to her family and “state their intentions”. After the bride-to-be’s family accepts the official
proposal, both families share food and drinks. These days, however, introduction ceremonies are as good as one of
the three wedding ceremonies that Nigerians usually observe. That’s up next.

Three Weddings
Unless someone is a ‘foreigner’—or don’t mind the risk of being referred to as such—Nigerians are expected to have
three different wedding ceremonies. The first one is the traditional wedding. Depending on what part of the country
you’re from, this involves bride price, flogging, mass prostrations, wine carrying, picking out your spouse from a line
of thoroughly-veiled women, and the like. Then come the court and church/mosque weddings. That way, a couple’s
union has been recognised by the provisions of Nigerian traditions, religion, and civil law. All three weddings also
involve feasting, so couples need to be financially prepared for this as well.

Omugwo (After-Birth Care)

Extremely significant among the Igbos, but also widely practiced across other Nigerian tribes is omugwo.
The Yorubas call it “Itoju omo”, Igalas call it “Iwagwala-oma”, and the Annangs, “Umaan” After a mother gives birth to
her baby, her mother-in-law comes to the home to take care of the new mother and her. The nursing mother is not
required to lift a finger as everything is done for her—including bathing the baby, massaging the new mother’s
tummy, performing household chores, cooking special meals such as peppersoups, and so on. If a mother-in-law is
unavailable for an omugwo, the woman’s own mother or a close relative can take up the mantle. Omugwos are a
thing of pride and so symbolic that they have been known to cause quarrels among family members over who is most
capable of caring for the nursing mother and her new baby. Omugwos last for at least three months.

Nwaboy (Servicehood/Apprenticeship)

The Nwaboy method of apprenticeship is prominent among Nigeria’s Igbo people. It is seen as way to
spread wealth among kinsmen. This tradition requires that a young boy/man leaves his family home with an older,
rich relative or family friend (who is usually an established businessperson) for “training”. During this training, the
apprentice is entrusted with various tasks ranging from mundane errands to coordination and supervision, and they
are exposed to the world of business transactions. Oftentimes, valuables are put in his care. At the end of his
training, he is given his “freedom”—a tidy sum to start a business and sustain himself and his family.

“Sunday Rice”

Sunday rice is a weekly fixture in most Nigerian homes. The anticipation of the traditional dish after church
services makes every Sunday complete for some. For others, just the pure joy of preparing the delicacy and sharing
it with the family or neighbours does the magic. Sunday rice is usually plain-white rice and stew (made with tomatoes
and pepper) with chicken, beef, or fish. However, on special occasions, it could be jollof, fried, concoction, or any
other variation of cooked rice.

Child Dedication Ceremony

This is separate from the important child-naming ceremony commonly practiced in parts of Africa. At the
naming, the baby’s immediate and extended family gather to give it names, particularly ones that will determine how
prosperous it would be in life and such. However, like child-naming ceremonies, child dedications’ prominence also
cut across different religious faiths. The purpose of a dedication is essentially to thank god for the baby’s presence
and present it as a loyal servant.

Spraying Money

Certain people attend ceremonies in Nigeria just to partake in this interesting practice. At grandly-organised
weddings, burials, child naming or dedications, and birthdays, people—regardless of financial status—come forward
while dancing to rain money on those on the dance floor. Of course, only crisp notes are encouraged. Reasons for
the act (or art) of spraying money include portraying the social status of those being celebrated, showing how much
they are appreciated, and a basic show of flamboyance and affluence. Spraying money is such a symbolic feature in
Nigerian ceremonies that an Ijaw bride won’t smile until she’s been sprayed.

Greeting Elders

In Nigeria, social etiquette transcends common pleasantries and is actually a statement of respect and
upbringing. Several things go into greeting an elder in Nigeria, including ethnic background and gender. For example,
certain tribes require a female to kneel on the floor or curtsy to greet an elder, while males are expected to prostrate,
squat, or bow completely to the ground. This is regardless of where or the number of times younger people have
seen their elders that day. Another traditional form of greeting in Nigeria is one that’s done after meals. In some
homes, the more elders that are present, the more thank you are expected from younger guests.

Looking ‘Fresh’ on Your Wedding Day

Only Nigerian brides understand how crucial it is to fill out their clothes nicely and glow on their wedding
day. The extent of happiness and well-being of the bride is practically expected to be physically viewed in how
healthy and radiant she looks by the time her wedding day rolls around. In the past, this was achieved in fattening
rooms. Fattening rooms originated among the Efik, and they were created to prepare girls for womanhood and
marriage through several rituals and rites. One tradition involved waiting on her around the clock and doing
everything possible to make her gain weight and portray affluence. These days, however, gaining weight is no longer
the goal, and women just stick to ensuring they look as ‘fresh’ as possible by going to the spa, avoiding stressful or
strenuous tasks, eating right, and resting.

Right Hand Only

Nigerians see it as a sign of disrespect and disgusting to greet, eat, hand over, or collect things from people
with your left hand unless you’re left-handed or have no right arm. And even then, it might be difficult to be granted
exemption from the rule. It’s worse when the person you extend your left hand out to be older than you are.

Etiquette & Customs

Nigerians tend to be more relaxed about physical contact, so bear in mind that if you are from a western
background, you may feel that your personal space is being invaded. People of the same gender will often touch
each other on the arms or back whilst having a conversation, and this is considered perfectly normal. Touching
between people of different genders is less common, particularly in the Muslim areas in the north of the country.
Many aspects of Nigerian customs are defined by traditional family roles. Therefore during a meal it is not uncommon
for men, women and children to eat separately, with the men being served first. When sitting down to eat, the
honored guest will be served first, and you should not start eating until they have started. Avoid eating or passing
food with your left hand and do not position yourself so that your feet are pointing towards the food. At the end of a
meal, a small burp indicates that you are full and have enjoyed the food. Better out than in!
If you are eating out in a restaurant, in addition to the above, you should also be aware that you may be seated at a
table with strangers. If this happens, then do not feel obliged to start a conversation with them, but continue with your
meal as if you were at your own table. Normally the person who invites other people for a meal will also be the one
paying. It is appropriate in Nigerian restaurants to tip at about 10%.
Tourist Attractions in Nigeria

1. Victoria Island, Lagos. Victoria island is also exist in

Canada and in Lagos, Nigeria. It is the main business and
financial center of Lagos, Nigeria. Victoria island is one of
the most expensive and also exclusive area to live in
Nigeria, it is considered the posh area of the Nigeria
Many traders visit this area for own trade.

2. Zuma Rock, Abuja. Zuma rock is a large monolith

which is located in Niger State, Nigeria . It is sometimes
referred to as “Gateway to Abuja “. Zuma rock is a
beautiful natural sight to behold. You should drive slowly
at there. God’s hand work and you can make your tour
memorable through taking pictures of it from different
places.

3. Aso Rock, Abuja. Aso Rock is a large outcrop which is

located in Abuja, Nigeria. It is one of the famous and
noticeable rock of this country, Aso means Victorious and
the proper mean (The People Of Victory ) . Best place to
visit ever.
Example Nigerian Literary Piece

I think it rains
By Wole Soyinka
That tongues may loosen from the parch And how it beats
Uncleave roof-tops of Seined transparencies on wings
the mouth, hang Of our desires, searing dark longings
Heavy with knowledge In cruel baptisms.

I saw it raise Rain-reeds, practiced in

The sudden cloud, from ashes. The grace of yielding, yet unbending
Settling From afar, this, your conjugation with my earth
They joined in a ring of Bares crunching rocks.
Grey; within,
The circling spirit.

O it must rain
These closures on the mind, blinding us
In strange despairs, teaching
Purity of sadness.