GST 112
Nigerian Peoples and Culture
2 Unit(s) (LH 30)
Course Description
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. suggest possible solutions to identifiable Nigerian environmental, moral and value problems.
Course Outline
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 Nigerianpolitics;
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 3R’s – 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.