Regional Rivalries in Nigeria

Question 1

What three factors led to Regional Rivalries?

Answer 1

• Colonial Legacy
• Economic Disparities
• Ethno-religious Rivalry

Question 2

Explain Economic Disparities. (3)

Answer 2

• Regional rivalries stemmed from the fear of future dominance by the Igbos, who dominated the federal public service and trade
• The Igbo had dominance in key areas such as technical jobs, public service
• The Northern Region’s economy leading to the Northern Regional government implementing the Northernisation policy to prepare northerners to take over and prevent domination by other regions

Question 3

Explain ethno-religious rivalry. (3)

Answer 3

• Views of the ethnic differences between the Igbos, Hausa/ Fulani and Yoruba stem from past leader’s actions such as Awolowo’s refusal to work with the conservative Muslim majority in the North, the Tension between Sir Tafawa Balewa’s government Akintola’s, and Premier Ahmadu Bello’s policy aimed at the Igbos
• Results:
  -Minority groups feel inferior due to majority dominance, competition for relevance and access to state resources
• Liberation struggles have taken various forms such as violence, opposition political parties, agitation for separate chiefdoms and districts and separate identities

Question 4

Colonial Legacy:
What actions of colonial officials created regional rivalries?

Answer 4

• Officials in the South prioritised European education and modern services, while colonial officials in the North banned development on the basis that cultural traditions needed preservation

Question 5

Colonial Legacy:
What actions of Lugard created regional rivalries.

Answer 5

• In honor of the dual mandate, he limited access for Christian missionaries to Muslim areas of Northern Nigeria, as a result the Northern people did not have access to education like the Southern people

Question 6

Colonial Legacy:
How did the policy of divide and rule create regional rivalries?

Answer 6

• In 1920, Sir Hugh Clifford played on the ethnic sentiments of Nigerial members of the National Congress of West Africa during their call for colonial reform.
• This lead to the formation of a pro-government club rejecting the nationalist movement in Nigeria
• In 1934, the nationalist movement had died down

Question 7

Colonial Legacy:
How did the Land and Native Rights Ordinance contribute to regional rivalries?

Answer 7

• In 1910, this policy was introduced, placing power over the land in the North to the governor
• As a result, the colonialists limited Southern Nigerian migration to the North to maintain their alliance with the Fulani ruling class in the North
• Southerners who disregarded the law faced the “sabon garii” policy of segregation.
• In Zaria, this resulted in three separate settlements: the walled city for indigenous people, Tundun Wada for non-indegenous Northerners and Sabon garii for southerners referred to as ‘native foregners.

Question 8

Colonial Legacy;
What actions of colonial officials contributed to regional rivalries in 1945?

Answer 8

• In 1945, a violent outbreak occurred in Jos, because there was widespread anxiety and food shortages as a result of the strike by nationalist and labour unions in protest of harsh conditions of colonial rule. Through these tensions, the British colonial officials incited Hausa against the Igbos.
• The conflict lasted two days, resulting in two deaths, numerous injuries and significant damage to property.