GST 112: Nigerian Peoples and Culture

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. analyse the historical foundation of the Nigerian culture and arts in pre-colonial times;
2. list and identify the major linguistic groups in Nigeria;
3. explain the gradual evolution of Nigeria as a political unit;
4. analyse the concepts of Trade, Economic and Self-reliance status of the Nigerian peoples towards national development;
5. enumerate the challenges of the Nigerian State towards Nation building;
6. analyse the role of the Judiciary in upholding people’s fundamental rights;
7. identify acceptable norms and values of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria; and
8. list and suggest possible solutions to identifiable Nigerian environmental, moral and value problems.

Course Contents

Nigerian history, culture and art up to 1800 (Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo peoples and culture; peoples and culture of the ethnic minority groups). Nigeria under colonial rule (advent of colonial rule in Nigeria; Colonial administration of Nigeria). Evolution of Nigeria as a political unit (amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914; formation of political parties in Nigeria; Nationalist movement and struggle for independence). Nigeria and challenges of nation building (military intervention in Nigerian politics; Nigerian Civil War). Concept of trade and economics of self- reliance (indigenous trade and market system; indigenous apprenticeship system among Nigeria people; trade, skill acquisition and self-reliance). Social justices and national development (law definition and classification. Judiciary and fundamental rights. Individual, norms and values (basic Nigeria norms and values, patterns of citizenship acquisition; citizenship and civic responsibilities; indigenous languages, usage and development; negative attitudes and conducts. Cultism, kidnapping and other related social vices). Re-orientation, moral and national values: The 3Rs – Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Re-orientation; Re- orientation Strategies: Operation Feed the Nation (OFN), Green Revolution, Austerity Measures, War Against Indiscipline (WAI), War Against Indiscipline and Corruption(WAIC), Mass Mobilisation for Self-Reliance, Social Justice and Economic Recovery (MAMSER), National Orientation Agency (NOA). Current socio-political and cultural developments in Nigeria.