Nigeria: Vocabulary

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First Republic

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Nigerian parliamentary democratic regime that followed independence (1960-66)

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Fourth Republic

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Nigeria's current presidential democratic regime, established in 1999

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Ethnic Groups: Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo

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Three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria; Hausa-Fulani-north; Yoruba-southwest; Igbo-southeast

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Hausa-Fulani

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The largest ethnic group, lives in northern Nigeria. Muslim religion

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Yoruba

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A member of an African people of southwestern Nigeria; diverse religions (mostly Christian & Muslim)

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Igbo

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Nigeria's third largest group who are mostly Christian. They are located in the southeast part of Nigeria. This group has many conflicts with the Yoruba and at one point they tried to become an independent nation.

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Republic of Biafra

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Igbo-dominated Eastern Region that tried, and failed, to secede from Nigeria in 1967

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Niger Delta

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World's third-largest wetland and source of Nigerian oil and economic and ethnic conflict

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Boko Haram (Nigeria)

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A Nigerian militant Islamist group that seeks the imposition of Shariah law throughout all 36 states of Nigeria

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Patrimonialism

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An arrangement whereby a ruler depends on a collection of supporters within the state who gain direct benefits in return for enforcing the ruler's will