Nigeria's free digital learning hub. Videos, lecture notes, practice questions and leaderboards aligned with CCMAS, NBTE, NCCE, WAEC, NECO, IJMB and JAMB curricula.
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Nigeria's free digital learning hub. Videos, lecture notes, practice questions and leaderboards aligned with CCMAS, NBTE, NCCE, WAEC, NECO, IJMB and JAMB curricula.
Gender Studies · 100 Level
This is the complete lecture note for GST 112 Nigerian People and Culture, prepared for Gender Studies students at 100 Level. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS • Course code: GST 112 • Course title: Nigerian People and Culture • Course credit load: 2 Series 1: Foundations of Nigerian Culture Series outline • Part 1: Historical Foundations o 1.1 Pre-colonial Nigerian societies o 1.2 Early cultural expressions and arts o 1.3 Influence of geography on cultural development • Part 2: Major Ethnic Groups and Cultures o 2.1 Yoruba people and culture o 2.2 Hausa people and culture o 2.3 Igbo people and culture o 2.4 Minority ethnic groups and their contributions • Part 3: Linguistic Diversity o 3.1 Major linguistic families in Nigeria o 3.2 Indigenous languages and their roles o 3.3 Language as a tool for identity and unity • Part 4: Cultural Values and Norms o 4.1 Traditional norms and values o 4.2 Indigenous systems of apprenticeship and trade o 4.3 Cultural continuity and adaptation Introduction
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Nigeria is often described as a land of diversity, with its rich tapestry of peoples, traditions, and artistic expressions stretching back centuries. To appreciate the country’s present challenges and achievements, it is important to first understand the cultural foundations that shaped its identity long before colonial contact. This Series invites you to explore the roots of Nigerian culture, helping you to see how history, language, and values have influenced the nation’s development. The aim of this Series is to equip you with the knowledge and analytical skills needed to examine the historical and cultural foundations of Nigeria, and to appreciate how these elements continue to shape national identity and unity. We shall commence this Series by examining the historical foundations of Nigerian culture, focusing on pre-colonial societies and their artistic expressions. Next, we will explore the major ethnic groups, including the Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and minority peoples, highlighting their distinctive cultural practices. Subsequently, we will consider Nigeria’s linguistic diversity, looking at the role of indigenous languages in identity and communication. Finally, we will wrap up by analysing cultural values and norms, including systems of trade, apprenticeship, and adaptation, which continue to influence Nigerian society today. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define the historical foundations of Nigerian culture and arts in pre-colonial times, • SLO 1.2 analyse the cultural practices of the Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and minority ethnic groups, • SLO 1.3 explain the major linguistic families and evaluate the role of indigenous languages in Nigerian society, and • SLO 1.4 examine traditional norms, values, and apprenticeship systems as foundations for cultural continuity and adaptation. 1.1 Historical Foundations 1.1.1 Pre-colonial Nigerian societies Pre-colonial Nigerian societies were diverse, each with unique systems of governance, trade, and cultural practices. The pre-colonial era refers to the period before European colonisation, when indigenous communities organised themselves through traditional institutions. These societies were often structured around kinship, age grades, and communal responsibilities. Fill in the blank: Pre-colonial Nigerian societies were organised around __________, age grades, and communal responsibilities.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.1.2 Early cultural expressions and arts The arts in pre-colonial Nigeria were deeply connected to religion, politics, and daily life. Cultural expressions included sculpture, music, dance, and oral traditions. For example, the Nok civilisation produced terracotta figures, while Yoruba artisans created intricate bronze works. These artistic traditions served as both aesthetic and spiritual symbols. Fill in the blank: The Nok civilisation is best known for its __________ figures. 1.1.3 Influence of geography on cultural development Nigeria’s geography, with its rivers, forests, and savannahs, influenced settlement patterns and cultural practices. The geographical environment refers to the physical features of a region that shape human activities. For instance, riverine communities developed fishing cultures, while savannah dwellers practised extensive farming. Geography also determined trade routes and interactions among ethnic groups. Box 1.1: Examples of geographical influence on Nigerian culture • River Niger facilitated trade and communication • Forest zones encouraged hunting and gathering traditions • Savannah regions supported large-scale farming and cattle rearing Fill in the blank: Riverine communities in Nigeria developed a strong culture of __________. Pilot questions 1.1 1. Which term refers to the period before European colonisation in Nigeria? 2. What were the Nok civilisation’s most famous artistic contributions? 3. Name one way geography influenced cultural development in Nigeria. 4. Which social structures were common in pre-colonial Nigerian societies? 5. Identify one geographical feature that shaped trade routes in Nigeria. 1.2 Major Ethnic Groups And Cultures 1.2.1 Yoruba people and culture The Yoruba are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, predominantly located in the south-western region. The Yoruba culture is characterised by a strong emphasis on religion, art, and governance. Traditional Yoruba religion centres on a pantheon of deities known as Orisha, each representing natural forces or human attributes. The Yoruba are also renowned for their artistic achievements, particularly in sculpture, beadwork, and textiles. Their political organisation historically revolved around kingdoms such as Oyo, with rulers known as Oba. Fill in the blank: The Yoruba pantheon of deities is known as __________.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.2.2 Hausa people and culture The Hausa are concentrated in northern Nigeria and are known for their rich traditions in trade, religion, and architecture. The Hausa culture is strongly influenced by Islam, which shapes their social norms, education, and governance. Hausa cities such as Kano and Zaria were historically centres of commerce, attracting traders from across West Africa. Their architectural style, featuring mud-brick buildings and intricate designs, reflects both indigenous creativity and Islamic influence. Fill in the blank: Hausa culture is strongly influenced by __________. 1.2.3 Igbo people and culture The Igbo are located mainly in south-eastern Nigeria and are recognised for their entrepreneurial spirit and decentralised political organisation. Unlike the Yoruba and Hausa, the Igbo traditionally practised a republican system, with decisions made collectively by elders and age grades rather than kings. Igbo culture emphasises community, trade, and craftsmanship, with notable achievements in metalwork and masquerade traditions. Religion among the Igbo traditionally involved reverence for Chukwu, the supreme deity, alongside ancestral worship. Fill in the blank: The supreme deity in Igbo traditional religion is called __________. 1.2.4 Minority ethnic groups and their contributions Nigeria is home to numerous minority ethnic groups, including the Tiv, Kanuri, Nupe, Ibibio, and Efik, among others. These groups contribute significantly to Nigeria’s cultural diversity. For example, the Tiv are known for their agricultural practices and distinctive black-and-white striped attire, while the Efik are celebrated for their elaborate traditional dances and cuisine. Each minority group enriches Nigeria’s cultural heritage through unique languages, customs, and artistic expressions. Box 1.2: Selected contributions of minority ethnic groups • Tiv: distinctive striped attire and farming traditions • Kanuri: historical role in the Bornu Empire • Efik: elaborate dances and cuisine • Nupe: renowned for brass work and fishing culture Fill in the blank: The Tiv are recognised for their distinctive __________ attire. Pilot questions 1.2 1. What is the name of the Yoruba rulers? 2. Which religion strongly influences Hausa culture? 3. How was Igbo political organisation traditionally structured? 4. Name the supreme deity in Igbo traditional religion.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 5. Identify one cultural contribution of the Tiv people. 1.3 Linguistic Diversity 1.3.1 Major linguistic families in Nigeria Nigeria is often described as one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. The linguistic families refer to groups of languages that share common origins and structural features. In Nigeria, the three dominant families are Niger-Congo, Afro-Asiatic, and Nilo-Saharan. The Niger-Congo family includes Yoruba and Igbo, while Hausa belongs to the Afro-Asiatic family. Minority languages such as Kanuri are part of the Nilo-Saharan family. This diversity reflects the historical interactions and migrations of peoples across the region. Fill in the blank: Hausa belongs to the __________ family of languages. 1.3.2 Indigenous languages and their roles Indigenous languages are the native tongues spoken by communities within Nigeria. They play vital roles in communication, cultural transmission, and identity formation. For example, Yoruba is used in religious rituals, Igbo in trade and storytelling, and Hausa as a lingua franca in northern Nigeria. Indigenous languages also serve as vehicles for oral traditions, proverbs, and folklore, which preserve cultural wisdom across generations. Fill in the blank: Indigenous languages serve as vehicles for __________, proverbs, and folklore. 1.3.3 Language as a tool for identity and unity Language is more than a means of communication; it is a marker of identity and a potential tool for unity. The role of language in identity refers to how individuals and groups define themselves through the languages they speak. In Nigeria, language often signifies ethnic belonging, but it can also foster national unity when used inclusively. For instance, Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo are widely spoken beyond their ethnic boundaries, while English, introduced
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