Nigeria

Nigeria is one of Africa’s most historically dense regions, home to powerful precolonial states, long-distance trade networks, and sophisticated artistic and political traditions. Kingdoms such as Benin, Oyo, Kanem-Bornu, and the Sokoto Caliphate governed millions before European conquest. British colonial rule forcibly merged diverse societies into a single state, reshaping economies, borders, and political institutions. Modern Nigeria—Africa’s most populous country—sits at the intersection of oil wealth, religious pluralism, ethnic politics, and global cultural influence. To understand colonial legacies, postcolonial governance, and African modernity, Nigeria is indispensable.

1. 1 Nigeria’s population growth will shape global demographics and labor markets.
2. 2 Oil dependency, inequality, and corruption highlight postcolonial economic challenges.
3. 3 Religious and regional divisions test state legitimacy and cohesion.
4. 4 Nigeria’s cultural output influences Africa and the global diaspora.
5. 5 Its political trajectory offers lessons in state-building after empire.