Archaeologists have found evidence of Neolithic humans who inhabited what is now Nigeria (The word niger is Latin for black) as far back as 12,000 B.C.E. Nigeria has the largest population of any African country. More than 250 ethnic tribes call present-day Nigeria home. The Niger and Benue Rivers come together in the center of the country, creating a "Y" that splits Nigeria into three separate sections. In general, this "Y" marks the boundaries of the three major ethnic groups, with the Hausa in the north, the Yoruba in the southwest, and the Igbo in the southeast. Other smaller groups include the Fulani, Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio, Tiv, and Edo.
Prior to their conquest by Europeans, these ethnic groups had separate and independent histories. These various ethnic groups never considered themselves part of the same culture. Grouping together into a single entity known as Nigeria by the British colonizers. This general lack of Nigerian nationalism coupled with an ever-changing and often ethnically biased national leadership, have led to severe internal ethnic conflicts and a civil war. Up to date bloody confrontations between or among members of different ethnic groups continue. Until the past few decades, Nigeria had been self-sufficient in producing enough food to feed the population. However, as petroleum production and industry began to boom in Nigeria, much of the national resources were concentrated on the new industries at the expense of agriculture. Since the restoration of civilian rule in 1999, Nigeria has begun to make strides in economic reform. While hopes are high for a strong economic transformation, high unemployment, high inflation, and more than a third of the population living under the poverty line indicate it will be a long and difficult road ahead for the Naijas or the Nigerians.
Source: http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nigeria.html
http://www.motherlandnigeria.com
