1. Nigeria…A case for Dependency Theory?
Poor nations provide market access to wealthy nations (e.g., by allowing their people to buy manufactured goods and obsolete or used goods from wealthy nations), permitting the wealthy nations to enjoy a higher standard of living.
Wealthy nations actively perpetuate a state of dependence by various means. This influence may be multifaceted, involving economics, media control, politics, banking and finance, education, culture, sport, and all aspects of human resource development (including recruitment and training of workers).
Wealthy nations actively counter attempts by dependent nations to resist their influences by means of economic sanctions and/or the use of military force.

2. Nigeria Africa’s most populous state (140 mil)
Say what???
Nigeria
Africa’s most populous state (140 mil)
Strong democracy movements with a susceptibility to totalitarian military rule
Vast resources , but 60% live in poverty
Microcosm of religious tensions
Lacks coherent national identity.

3. Sources of Public Authority and Political Power
Disagreement on the basics of who should rule and how (known as the “national question”) and of how the county should be governed or even if it should remain as one nation
Constitutionalism-(acceptance of a constitution as a guiding set of principals) with 8 different heavily amended constitutions, con.- has eluded Nigeria

4. Sharia-source of legitimacy in the North, but rest of the country???
Legitimacy…Nigeria impulses towards fragmentation along ethnic, regional, and religious lines
Belief in the rule of law, but since independence in 1960 leaders have used military to do whatever
Sharia-source of legitimacy in the North, but rest of the country???
Elections- wide spread vote rigging, intimidation, fraud, and violence
Bottom line-legitimacy of rulers challenged.
President Buhari 2015
Ruled in the past, military coup.
Faces bad economy and Boko Haram

5. Political Traditions Precolonial era-
Early influence of Islam in the north- religious law emphasizing authority by the elite
Kinship based politics
Colonial Era
Authoritarian rule-British ruled indirectly by leavin chiefs and other natives in charge (not responsible to Nigerian people)
Christianity- North already Muslim, south and west Christian
Intensification of ethnic politics- most schools are in south, independence leaders played on ethnic identities

6. Political traditions continued
1960 onwards
Intensification of ethnic conflict
Military rule to restore order (Biafra Civil War)
Personalized rule/corruption
Federalism and devolution-attempts to mollify ethnic tensions
Economic dependence on oil

7. Politcal Culture
Prebendalism (patron-client relationships like in China and Mexico) Patron (political leader build loyalty among his clients (lesser elites) by granting them favors that are denied others. ie-in exchange for their support a pres may grant to his clients a potion of oil revenues
State Control/rich civil society(sectors of a county that lie outside gov control).
Govt tries to control all first under British rule, then under military rule
Always have formal and informal religious groups, labor groups, and NGO
Tension between modernity and tradition
British modern but independence movement appealed to tradition.
Ethnic conflict and corrupt rule make modernity difficult

8. Political Culture cont
Religious conflict: Islam (50%) and Christianity(40%) have intensified ethnic conflict and fed political issues. ie- Muslims support Sharia law, ongoing debate about its role has sparked religious conflict
Geographic influences-
Ethnic groups typically may be divided into 6 geographic zones

9. The British Colonial Experience has left a lasting legacy.
Combined geographically divergent areas
Sahel of the North, Wetlands of the South
Fragmentation/irredentism (annexation of territories administered by another state on the grounds of common ethnicity or prior historical possession) 250 ethnic and linguistic groups
North : Hausa-Fulani Muslim
Southwest: Yoruba Protestant
Southeast: Igbo (Ibo) Catholic
Middlebelt: minorities traditional groups
Indirect rule promoted ethnic, cultural and religious differences

10. Ethnic identity vs. civic identity
Legacy continued
Altered and destroyed the traditional culture without building a new culture. (caught between)
Ethnic identity vs. civic identity
From trans Saharan trade (horses) to Ocean trade/slave (“gun” society)
From subsistence agriculture to cash crops (exploitation???)
Left an insufficient political order
Fragmented, loose federation with parliamentary system, a republican democratic system with poor understanding.

11. Over 40 Years later it still lack continuity
There is a lack of constitutional legitimacy (continually changing)
1st republic Parliamentary model
2nd republic presidential model
4th republic Semi-presidential model
Military regimes have rule the majority of the time
Originally to restore order and viability
Has led to a fragmented, competitive, and corrupt military. It has become part of the problem.

12. Constant struggle between federal and state control
Devolution movement to accommodate ethnic demands
Military rule and oil dependence has pro moted centralism
                             

13. Greed and corruption predominate in all aspects of governance
Ethnic loyalty
clientalism, (Prebendalism)---getting a government position to benefit you and your own
Military

14. Lessons for the future world
Ethnic nationalism
Decay of infrastructure
Loss of middle class
Economic stagnation and decline
Blight of urbanization and informal economy

15. Nigeria is Very Important in Africa
Leader in the region
Model for the region
Military leader in the region.
As Nigeria goes, so goes Africa

16. Nigeria-background Independence in 1960 Military dominant player
Military coup in 66
Civil War 67-70
Military dominant player
Military dictatorships/limited democracy
Obasanjo-former military ruler turned politician. Served 2 terms.
Yar’Adua- elected in 2007 first time that political power has been transferred from one civilian govt. to another (post-independence)
Goodluck Jonathan assumes office 2010 when Jar’Adua dies in office. Igbo (Christian)

17. Political Structure
Strong executive presidency, appoints a Federal Executive Council
Federal Executive Council – made up of government ministers and ministers of state.
Executive accountable to bicameral National Assembly
30+ political parties-most have no clear ideology
                            

18. Policy Issues Economic Reform Goal to boost non oil sectors
Improve macroeconomic stability
Tackling corruption
Renegotiate OPEC quota
Maintain good relations with Western Powers
Promote Nigeria as a regional power