But I don't think you should have to choose, there's nothing wrong with being a Ghanaian-Nigerian or a Nigerian-Ghanaian. Hausa are also recognized for practicing Islam as their main religion. [28] Southern Nigeria historically held several powerful states, including the Benin Empire and Oyo Empire, Ife Confederacy and several other Yoruba states. Nigeria is a federal constitutional republic comprising of 36states and its federal capital, Abuja. They have long been opposed to Sharia law in Nigeria, with most Igbo identifying as Christian. [25] The economic importance of Nigeria's cities has resulted in migrations of people from their traditional ethnic or cultural homeland to cities outside those territories. Because of their great wish to become more than a citizenship-al country, they have managed to convince themselves and others that they are a nation, and thus introduces a confusion into vocabulary. Citizenship, Ethnic Rights and Identity Question in Nigeria: Conceptual Issues- Generally citizenship denotes the status of an individual as a full and responsible member of a political community. The presence of more than one adjective in a noun is common in Central Asian states where one adjective relates to the nation while the other relate to the dominant ethnic group. ... Nigerian etc. [28], Nigerian culture was profoundly affected by the British colonial rule. The largest of the major ethnic groups, Hausa and Fulani have been politically dominant since Nigeria’s independence from Britain in 1960. Re: What Do I Say My Nationality Is? [28] Northern Nigeria has been culturally influenced by Islamic influence including several major historic Islamic states in the region. Ethnicity has been a ground for discrimination against populations in different parts of the world, and it is known as racism or communalism for convenience or justification purposes. The Igbo are an essential part of the oil trade in Nigeria's southeastern region. By Justin Findlay on July 18 2019 in Society. Ethnic divisions persist in countries like Nigeria not because the ‘cultures’ of those countries are predisposed to ethnic strife, but as a result of a weak state. The middle belt of Nigeria is well known for its diversity, with many of these remaining groups living in this part of the country. Individuals who designate themselves as Yoruba make up approximately 21% of the population of Nigeria, making them the second biggest ethnic group in the country. Here are a few examples that will demonstrate the difference between the two. 10 It is a part of the Nigerian culture for children to show respect to their parents and the elderly ones in society, but the way and manner this respect is demonstrated among Nigerians differ from one tribe to the other. It is primarily an ethnicity and nationality. The lands in which the Ijaw inhabit are extremely oil-rich. This ethnic group numbers approximately 4.5 million which is equivalent to 3.5% of the population of Nigeria. Other examples of ethnic groups include the Zulu tribe in South Africa as well as the Maasai tribe in Kenya.Examples of nationalities include Nigerian, Indian, Pakistani, American, British, Dutch, Brazilian, Norwegian etc.On the other hand, there are four different types of human races in existence today. Since this war, Igbo have been reintegrated into Nigerian society; a lot Igbo still feel marginalized by the status quo in Nigeria. Ethnicity in Nigeria (2020) Hausa (27.4%) Yoruba (21%) In reality, they’re not. They include the Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, Ijaw, Ibibio, Kanuri, Tiv, Efik, Igala, Nupe etc. Kogi state, In Nigeria, seventy percent of Nigerians live in villages of two types: the first type used by the Igbo and Tiv involves a collection of dispersed compounds, the second type used amongst the Hausa fulani, Yoruba, and Kanuri involves nucleii of compounds. Use the nationality adjective ending in -ese or -ish with a plural verb, to refer to all people of that nationality. Tiv only make up 3.5% of the Nigerian population, making them one of the smaller ethnic groups within the country. (based on British Home Office report). [26] 50.6% of Nigerians are Muslims and about 47.9% are Christians. Reply. (UKC-Commonwealth Nation) Those born before or on the date of independence, October 1, 1960, whose parents or grandparents were born in Nigeria and who were legally residing in Nigeria at the time, are considered citizens of Nigeria. [25] The English language is the lingua franca of Nigerians. Although the Kanuri culture is rich with tradition, Boko Haram are using their lands as a base for operations, and innocent Kanuri people have been subjected to violence and Sharia law. [23] Nigerians derive from over 250 ethnic groups and languages. [29] The British replaced unpaid household labour with wage labour. BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of Nigeria does not automatically confer citizenship. Nigeria is composed of various ethnic groups and cultures and the term Nigerian refers to a citizenship -based civic nationality. This ethnic group upholds many cultural traditions, including music and culture festivals, traditional Yoruba art, and conventional architecture. Ethnicity in Nigeria Simon A. Rakov, Vassar College '92 (English 32, Fall 1990) The ethnicity of Nigeria is so varied that there is no definition of a Nigerian beyond that of someone who lives within the borders of the country (Ukpo, p. 19). Being the largest ethnic group in Nigeria, Hausa have always been some of the main players in Nigerian politics since Nigeria was granted independence from Britain in 1960. Nationality vs. Race. Since the Fulani War (1804-1808), the Fulani people have been intertwined with the Hausa of Nigeria. [31] In particular, cultural and political divisions between the Muslim north and the Christian south has politicized religion and caused significant political disputes in Nigeria. Nigeria is a fascinating country; in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, there are over 500 ethnic groups and over 500 languages spoken! The Tiv people all trace their ancestry back to an ancient individual also named Tiv, who had two sons. Nationality is the status of belonging to a particular nation by origin, birth, or natur… The traditional religion of Tiv, based on manipulations of forces by humans who have been entrusted by a creator God, remains strong within the Tiv populace. Nigerians or the Nigerian people, are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. Although Nigeria is rich in her diverse ethnicity, many of these groups mentioned above live segregated from others. [29] The British spread Christianity throughout southern Nigeria and Christian missionaries assisted British authorities in establishing a Western-style education system in Nigeria that resulted in the teaching of the English language in Nigeria and its subsequent adoption as Nigeria's main language. Nigeria: ‘Tribalism’ and the nationality question. Today, Nigeria is about 50% Muslim and 40% Christian, with about 10% embracing traditional or indigenous beliefs. Rain . Ethnicity and the Nigerian State. This is one of the only sources of income for the group. Mismanagement of these oil revenues has kept a substantial amount of the wealth from returning to the Ijaw community. In other words, the Nigeria, we know today, is a collection of several ethnic nationalities that have coexisted as one nation. Ulrich Beck, Natan Sznaider, Rainer Winter. The Nigerian federation is a marriage of over 400 ethnic nationalities whose consents were not sought in its formation. Kindly Share This Story. : The Cultural Consequences of Globalization. There is no black , colored, or whit race. Dolapo Ajakaiye. There is evidence of ironworking from around 600 B.C. The Igbo people of Nigeria make up approximately 18% of the population. This article assesses the viability of ethnicity as an explanation for the worsening orgy of conflict and militarisation in Nigeria’s oil producing region. Indeed, Nigerian-Americans have more post-graduate degrees than any other racial or ethnic groups. This is largely due to intermarriage and Fulani living among the Hausa population. [26] Nigeria's political figures commonly know multiple indigenous languages outside their own indigenous language. The Kanuri people are found in northeastern Nigeria. If you're more comfortable with Ghana's culture then you identify with Ghana, and the same with Nigeria. As you read this article, you can refer back to this table to help keep things straight. 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