Nigerian Peoples, Culture and National Unity

This course introduces students to Nigeria's extraordinary diversity — its ethnic groups, languages, religions, cultural traditions, and regional identities — as the essential social context within which all Nigerian media professionals must operate. Students examine the historical forces that shaped Nigeria's national identity, the tensions and complementarities within its diversity, and the critical role communication plays in fostering unity and preventing division.

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 Nigerian people; trade, skill acquisition and self-reliance). Social justice and national development (law definition and classification. Judiciary and fundamental rights. Individual, norms and values (basic Nigerian norms and values, patterns of citizenship acquisition; citizenship and civic responsibilities; indigenous languages, usage and development; negative attitudes and conduct; Cultism, kidnapping and other related social vices). Re-orientation, moral and national values (The 3R’s – Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Re-orientation; Reorientation 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.; Nigeria's diversity as a resource for national development; Case studies: media representation of ethnicity and religion.