TARIQ ELAGAMY Britain went into Africa and declared

TARIQ ELAGAMY

• Britain went into Africa and declared what we now know as Nigeria a country. • Britain disregarded the many different ethnic and religious sects in Nigeria by lumping them all together. However, there were three dominant sects: – Islamic Hausa-Fulani: (North) – The Yoruba: (Southwest) – The Igbo: (Southeast) • These three sects had differing political systems which led to a very abrasive lifestyle within the country. • The Yoruba and Igbo began to fight for an Independent Nigeria with Britain, hoping to restrict the conservative Hausa-Fulani in the North. • The North agreed to this independence as long as they would be able to maintain more power than the South; all three sects agreed on these terms for the sole sake of independence.

• When Nigeria became independent on Oct. 1, 1960, it soon was faced with unifying over 250 ethnic and linguistic groups. • This led to violence in many parts of Nigeria, including religious attacks between the Christians and Muslims. • The Igbo predominantly run the first military coup in the country; leads to the first military led state. • The North then led a counter coup and retook the government. • As a result of the counter coup massive pogroms occurred. – About 30, 000 people of Igbo descent were massacred. • The South Eastern part of Nigeria secedes because of ‘electoral fraud. ’ • Civil War eventually breaks out and lasts for 31 months. – Between Nigeria and the self proclaimed Republic of Biafra (predominantly Idos).