NIGERIAN PEOPLE AND

CULTURE
NIGERIAN ETHNIC GROUPS
THE HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA
 Nigerian ethnic composition
• An ‘ethnic group’ or ethnicity has been defined as a group that regards itself or is
regarded by others as a distinct community by virtue of certain characteristics
that will help to distinguish the group from the surrounding community.
• An ethnic group is a category of people who identify with one another based on
similarities, such as common ancestral, language, religion, social, and cultural
experiences. These people share common historical background.
• Ethnicity, a similar concept to ethnic group, has been described as residing in:
• *the belief by members of a social group that they are culturally distinctive and
different to outsiders;
• *their willingness to find symbolic markers of that difference (food habits,
religion, forms of dress, language) and to emphasise their significance; and
• *their willingness to organise relationships with outsiders so that a kind of ‘group
boundary’ is preserved and reproduced.
 Nigerian ethnic composition
• Ethnicity is not necessarily genetic. It also shows how someone might describe
themselves by an ethnicity different to their birth identity if they reside for a
considerable time in a different area and they decide to adopt the culture, symbols and
relationships of their new community.
• The largest ethnic groups in modern times comprise hundreds of millions of individuals
(Han Chinese being the largest), while the smallest are limited to a few dozen individuals
(numerous indigenous peoples worldwide).
• Please note that the purpose of examining some ethnic groups in Nigeria is to
understand their unique culture. Every culture is unique and no culture is superior
above any other.
• Believing that your culture is more important than any other will lead to what we call
ethnocentrism. Instead, culture relativism must always be emphasized.
• There are differences among race, tribe and ethnicity. Race is associated with biology
and ethnicity is associated with culture. However, Tribe is a term that is referred to
people perceived to be primitive and may have negative connotations. Hence, we
 The history of the people of Nigeria

• The origin, economic occupation,

• Major ethnic group – The Kanuri
• The Tiv
• The Ibibio/Efik
• The Ijaw
• The Edo
• The Igala
• The Nupe
• The Fulani
• The Igbo
• The Yoruba
• The Hausa
 The Kanuri people of Nigeria

• Located at the North East edge of the country by the Lake Chad area. Occupying
the extreme end of the Sahel Savanah vegetations of Nigeria.
• Origin: Descendants of the ancient Kanem-Bornu Empire, rooted in the Lake Chad
region.
• Economic Life: Historically, the Kanuri engaged in agriculture, fishing, and trans-
Saharan trade. Their strategic location facilitated commerce across the Sahara.
• Economic Occupation: Farming (millet, sorghum), livestock rearing, and trade.
• Political Life: The Kanuri established the Kanem-Bornu Empire, which was a
significant political entity in pre-colonial Africa. The empire had a centralized
system with the Mai (king) as the ruler.
• Politics & Governance: Had a sophisticated monarchy under the Mai of Bornu.
• Religion: Islam (introduced in the 11th century).
 The Kanuri people of Nigeria
• Contributions:
• Ancient education systems and Islamic scholarship.
• Early centralized administration.
• Positive Contributions: The Kanuri played a pivotal role in the spread of Islam and
Islamic scholarship in Nigeria.
• Negative Contributions: The region has experienced insurgency and instability,
impacting national security and development.
• Challenges:
• Insurgency in the North-East has destabilized the region and affected
development.
 The TIV People of Nigeria
• Located in the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria in the present Benue
State.
• Origin: Migrated from the southeast to the Benue Valley area.
• Economic Life: The Tiv are predominantly agrarian, focusing on yam cultivation
and livestock rearing. Their economy is largely subsistence-based.
• Economic Occupation: Farming (yam, cassava), fishing, and local crafts.
• Politics & Governance: Traditional gerontocratic system with clan heads (Tor Tiv).
• Religion: Originally animist; now largely Christian.
• Contributions:
• Major food producers in Nigeria.
• Political influence in the Middle Belt.
 The TIV People of Nigeria
• Political Life: Traditionally, the Tiv had a segmentary political system without
centralized authority, relying on elders and kinship ties for governance.
• Positive Contributions: Significant contributors to agriculture and cultural
diversity in Nigeria.
• Negative Contributions: Involvement in land disputes and communal conflicts,
particularly with neighboring ethnic groups.
• Challenges:
• Frequent communal clashes, especially with herders.
• Underdevelopment due to political neglect.
 The Fulani people of Nigeria
• The Fulani are the only ethnic group in Africa without a distinct territory of their
own. They are believed to have originated from the Futa Jalon highland region of
West Africa from where they migrated to various places in West Africa sub-
region.
• In Nigeria we have the following groups of Fulani;
• TOROOBE 6.3M
• HAABE 2.2M
• SOKOTO 2.2M
• BORORO 1.9M
• ADAMAWA 1.0M
Origin: Migrated from the Senegambia region; settled across Nigeria.
Economic Occupation: Cattle herding, trade, Islamic education.
 The Fulani people of Nigeria
• Politics & Governance: Emirate system following Uthman dan Fodio’s jihad.
• Religion: Islam (very influential in Islamization of Northern Nigeria).
• Contributions:
• Formation of the Sokoto Caliphate.
• Prominent leadership roles.
• Challenges:
• Herder-farmer conflicts.
• Perceived dominance in governance sparking tensions.
• The Fulani are mostly found in the North Eastern part of Nigeria such as Taraba,
Adamawa. Many people believe that the Fulani descended from a nomadic
group that once lived in the Upper Nile region. The Fulani comprises 3.9 per cent
of the Nigerian population.
 The Fulani people of Nigeria
• The language spoken by Fulani is known as Fulfulde. The Fulani are different from Hausa
in term of physical composition, they don’t look alike, neither do they practice the same
culture. Many people believe that Fulani women are very beautiful considering their
long hair and their pointed nose. (Do you also believe that?)
• The Fulani are majorly known for their cattle rearing and they can live well anywhere.
They might not be as greedy as many other cultures, except for the educated ones
among them. Women make handicrafts, weaving and knitting. Most of the Fulani people
practice Islam as their religion and they are mostly found in Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa,
Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe States among others.
Since the Fulani War or Holy War (1804-1808), the Fulani people have been intertwined
with the Hausa of Nigeria.
• This is largely due to intermarriage and geographical proximity. Fulani and Hausa
together make up approximately 29% of the population of Nigeria. Fulani adopted Islam
early, and a large section of the Fulani people are recognized as excellent Islamic clerics.
Along with the Hausa, Fulani people have also been a dominant presence in the sphere
of Nigerian politics since independence in 1960. it is also worthy of note that incumbent
 The Hausa people of Nigeria
• Hausa is the largest ethnic group in Nigeria. It has the largest population of
Approximately 25.1% (quarter) of the Nigerian population. The Hausa culture is
homogenized, meaning, throughout Nigeria, the Hausa culture is extremely similar.
the people of Hausa speak Hausa language and the language is spoken by estimation
of 22 million and make up approximately 25% of the Nigerian population. The major
religion is Islam, although it is also believed that larger proportion are Christian. In
term of geography, Hausa people are found majorly in the North and Northeastern
regions of Nigeria. Although due to migration, many of them are found in other
parts of the country. Specifically, Nigerian states such Kano, Katsina, Jos, Kaduna,
Maiduguri, and many more house these ethnic group.
• In term of economic activities, Hausa are known for farming, raising cattle and other
stock, growing crops and trading.
• Politically, being the largest ethnic group in Nigeria, Hausa have always been some
of the main players in Nigerian politics since Nigeria was granted independence from
Britain in 1960. but the Fulani has surreptitiously taken over the political reigns of
 The Hausa people of Nigeria
• By the 11th century, Hausa society had crystallized into a network of city-states, each with
its own ruler but sharing a common culture and language.
• The Hausa Bakwai (Original Hausa States) include:
• Daura
• Kano
• Katsina
• Zazzau (Zaria)
• Gobir
• Rano
• Biram
• These states were complemented by the Banza Bakwai (illegitimate Hausa states), which
included Kebbi, Zamfara, Yauri, etc.
• Each city-state developed around a centralized monarchy (Sarki) and was involved in long-
 The Yoruba people of Nigeria
• The second largest ethnic group in Nigeria occupying the six states in the southwestern part of Nigeria and
also part of Kwara and Kogi state.
• Origin: Believed to be descendants of Oduduwa; located in the South-West.
• Economic Occupation: Farming, trade, civil service, artisanship.
• Politics & Governance: Centralized kingship (e.g., Ooni of Ife, Alaafin of Oyo).
• Religion: Traditional (Ifa), Christianity, and Islam.
• Contributions: Strong intellectual and cultural legacy. Leadership in democracy and media.
• Challenges:
• Intra-ethnic rivalries.
• Westernization threatening cultural values.
• General Challenges to National Development from Ethnic Perspectives:
• Ethno-religious conflicts. Marginalization and cries for restructuring.
• Militancy, insurgency, and secessionist movements.
• Corruption and poor leadership across all ethnic groups.
• Environmental degradation (Niger Delta, etc.).
• Weak national integration due to loyalty to ethnic over national identity.
 The Yoruba people of Nigeria
• Yoruba people are rich in cultural heritage as they are noted for their respective
behaviour as demonstrated in their culture. They know how to greet very well. If
you are a lady and you want to marry a Yoruba man, you must learn how to kneel
down and greet your in-law properly or else…. (Yoruba respect people a lot, so if
you are looking for a wife that will respect you, go and marry Yoruba lady.
• Their attire is always superb. This ethnic group upholds many cultural traditions,
including music and culture festivals, traditional Yoruba art, and conventional
architecture. It is believed that Yoruba people descended from Oduduwa. In term
of politics before modern democracy (even as evident in some towns and villages
in the contemporary society), Each town in Yoruba land has elder known as Oba
(or King) and these kings have council of Elders.
• The Yoruba culture has historically relied on large populations in a centralized
location, having Oba (King) as their leader. The richest state in this country is from
the Western part of the country. This is majorly due to their early Western
civilisation
 The Igbo people of Nigeria
• The third largest ethnic group in Nigeria, the highly productive Igbo people. in term
of population, this ethnic group comprises 18% of the Nigerian population. This
powerful ethnic group settles in South Eastern part of Nigeria such as Onitsha,
Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, etc.
• The Igbo are an essential part of the oil trade in Nigeria's southeastern region. this
ethnic group speaks Igbo, as their major language. (important, this ethnic group
refuse to forget their laglnguage even despite the dominant English language in the
country.
• A typical Igbo person will prefer to speak Igbo to speaking English or any other
language. Hardly will you find an Igbo person not understanding Igbo language, this
is horlwever not true of Yoruba and Hausa. In Nigeria, it is estimated that 18 million
people speaks Igbo.
• Almost all Igbo practice Christianity and they have long been opposed to Sharia law
in Nigeria. Igbo society, unlike the Hausa and Yoruba, is non-hierarchical and not
reliant on a centralized society. Some believe that Igbo people originated from Nri
 Ibibio/Efik

• Origin: Ancient stock of southeastern Nigeria; Efik are a coastal subset.

• Economic Occupation: Fishing, farming, trade, and palm produce.
• Economic Life: Engaged in agriculture, fishing, and trade. The Efik, in particular, were
middlemen in the transatlantic slave trade.
• Political Life: Operated a decentralized political system with village heads and councils.
• Politics & Governance: Village democracies with Obong as traditional leaders.
• Religion: Christianity with traces of traditional beliefs.
• Contributions:
• Pioneers in Western education and missionary work.
• Influence in early Nigerian nationalism.
• Challenges:
• Ethnic marginalization.
• Poor infrastructural development.
 Ibibio/Efik
• Positive Contributions: Played a role in early trade and cultural exchanges in southeastern
Nigeria.
• Negative Contributions: Participation in the slave trade had long-term social impacts.
• Sources:
• "The Case of Ibibio Immigrants in Akpabuyo (Efikland), Nigeria" – African Affairs
• The Ibibio people are located in the South South Nigeria (majorly in Akwa Ibom). Many
people believe that the present homeland of the Ibibio people is not their original homeland,
rather it is Cameroon.
• This ethnic group is equivalent to 3.5 per cent of the population of Nigeria. The people of
Ibibio engage in farming, fishing, and trading . Today, the Ibibio predominantly identify
themselves as Christians.
• Moreover, Ibibio has an amazing artistic culture, most known for creating intricate wooden
masks and carvings. History has it that the Ibibio have a rich oral history passed down
through generations. These people have lived in this part of Nigeria for several hundred
years. It is important to note that the Ibibio people also inquired (with the British Crown) to
 Jukun
• The Jukun ethnic group are found in Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Benue States.
• The Jukun people are noted to have descended from the people of Kwararafa.
• The traditional structure of the Jukun people is complex both in terms of politics and religion. The
central traditional head of the Jukun people is referred to as the Aku Uka of wukari. Until his
becoming a member of the Northern Nigeria's House in 1947, the Aku Uka was a typical example of
a semi-divine priest-King. Hence, the Jukun people practiced monarchical system of government
and the main centre of the Jukun people is called Wukari federation.
• Common artistic conventions can be found among the majority of the people of Jukun. For
example, shoulder mask are worn by the Mumuye, the Jukun and Waja people and red seeds are
often found applied on the surface of the headdresses and masks.
• The Jukun people use dance as Therapy (if you want to learn how to dance, do well to find yourself
among the Jukun people). Among them however, there is an organisation called the Ajun, whose
elders deal with hysterical disorders in women by exorcising evil spirits in initiation ceremonies.
During the three month period in the house shrine, the sufferer is taught songs and dances that
have a therapeutic function culminating in a ceremony in which the initiated will join the members
of the Ajun-kpa society to perform the Ajun-kpa dance.
• Kwararafa is a state regarded to have existed in Western Africa from 14th through the 18th
 Jukun
• The Jukun people are divided into two, The Jukun Wanu and the Jukun Wapa. The Jukun
Wanu are predominantly fishermen residing along the banks of the Rivers Benue and
Niger where they run through Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states. On the other hand,
the Jukun Wapa are predominantly farmers found in the Plateau axis. It is also
noteworthy that the Jukun ethnic group, though a peace-loving people, are also an
unrelenting group warrior.
• As earlier stated, the remaining ethnic groups in Nigeria make up 12 per cent of the
Nigerian population. These groups include Ebirra (in Edo, Kogi and Ondo), Edo, Gbari (in
Kaduna, Abuja and Plateau), Jukun (in Bauchi, Benue, Taraba and Plateau), and Igala (in
Kogi) and Idoma (Benue and Taraba), to name a few. The middle belt of Nigeria is well
known for its diversity, with many of these remaining groups living in this part of the
country.
• Although Nigeria is rich in her diverse ethnicity, many of these groups mentioned above
live segregated from others. Most ethnic groups in Nigeria have formed illegal vigilante
or militia groups, protecting their interests from other groups within the country.