I.

Introduction

Nigeria, officially Federal Republic of Nigeria, federal republic, western Africa, bounded on the north by Niger, on the east by Chad and Cameroon, on the south by the Gulf of Guinea, and on the west by Benin. The most populous country in Africa, Nigeria has an area of 923,768 sq km (356,669 sq mi). Its name is derived from that of its major river, the Niger. Abuja is the capital and Lagos is the largest city.

Initially composed of a number of ethnically based kingdoms and states, the area of modern Nigeria was brought under British rule by 1906. It became an independent state and member of the Commonwealth of Nations on October 1, 1960. Following a period of tension among its ethnic groups, especially the Yoruba of the south-west, the Igbo of the south-east, and the Hausa and Fulani of the north, Nigeria was ruled by the military from 1966 to 1979. During 1967-1970 the Igbo people attempted—without ultimate success—to secede from Nigeria by forming the Republic of Biafra. A brief period of civilian rule (1979-1983) ended with a military coup. Military rule under different leaderships continued until 1999, when civilian rule was once again restored after the death of General Sani Abacha.