Exploring Nigeria's Riches

1244 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essay on the history of Nigeria

Introduction
The country that I regard as one of the most influential countries in the world is Nigeria. It is rich not only in natural resources but also in culture, an aspect that many people fail to greatly appreciate. As I deeply researched and developed this essay, I hoped to enlighten, excite, and engage you on this very ethnic journey. I will explore the following topics, but will not limit myself to solely these: topography, imports, exports, language, rituals, customs, people, main cities, industries, climate, and main problems. I will also include a photo album, fun and interesting facts, and delicious signature cuisine and delicacies of the Nigerian culture. I assure you that by the conclusion of this essay that you will be completely enamored with Nigeria, as I have grown to be.
Origin and History
Nigeria’s origins and history never cease to amaze me. The British invaded Niger in the 16th century, by a process called colonization. Colonization is simply the conquering of one culture by another’s. They did so in order to obtain raw materials and precious riches that were not available in Europe. They also wanted a market for manufactured goods that they wouldn’t otherwise been afforded. The British deemed this sort of action acceptable because they regarded themselves as the “most advanced civilization in the world”, being superior than any other beings ever created. They failed to realize the true value of the royal African people.
Topography & Climate
Nigeria is on the westernmost coast of Africa, ranging from arid to humid in various sections. A belt of mangrove swamp forest from 16 to 96 km in width, intersected by branches of the Niger and countless other smaller rivers and creeks, is along the entire coast of Ni...

... middle of paper ...

... lack of funds. If more money could go into the education system, the country would advance intellectually as a whole and ultimately become more wealthy.
Industries
Nigeria is the 10th largest producer of oil in the entire world and the 3rd largest producer of oil in the continent of Africa. According to opec.org, “Apart from petroleum, Nigeria’s other natural resources include natural gas, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc and arable land. The oil and gas sector accounts for about 35 per cent of gross domestic product, and petroleum exports revenue.

Works Cited

• http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/index.htm
• http://www.ask.com/question/major-problems-in-nigeria
• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/414840/Nigeria/55285/Climate
• http://www.mapsofworld.com/nigeria/culture/
• http://www.nigeria.gov.ng/2012-10-29-11-05-46/2012-11-05-09-52-15

Show More
Related

  • The Art of Benin

    1044 Words  | 3 Pages

    http://www.arm.arc.co.uk/britishBenin.html Negritude http://www.nigerdeltadirectory.com/websiteseminars/negritude.html http://www.culturekiosque.com/calendar/item14966.html http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/negritude/ (Accessed 14.02.11). African Art http://www.jpanafrican.com/ (Accessed 14.02.11). Benin Massacre http://www.dawodu.com/igbinedion3.htm http://www.arm.arc.co.uk/britishBenin.html http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/anthony-okosun/the-glory-of-benin-kingdom-and-the-shame-of-the-british-empire.html. http://books.google.co.uk (Benin Diplomatic Handbook By USA International Business Publications).

    Read More

  • Overview of the Economy and Current Situation of Niger

    1479 Words  | 3 Pages

    Niger is eighty-percent desert which doesn't provide natural resources or availability of water, even though the Niger River is a huge resource for Niger. With its beautiful, sparkling water flowing southwest in a sort of crescent shape it is a place of relief. Along this river, they have wonderful areas for farming and grazing and one can find the most populous city and the capitol Niger called Niamey. This Sub-Saharan country not only has the Sahara desert to deal with, but the Tener...

    Read More

  • Shell Nigeria

    1323 Words  | 3 Pages

    oil in Nigeria. Nigeria’s large supply of high quality crude oil helped Shell climb to the top,

    Read More

  • Adult Illiteracy In America

    474 Words  | 1 Pages

    Many people suggest the fault lies with an inadequate educational system. Due to many of the schools being over crowded, there are not enough teachers to go around and the student body does not get the specific attention it needs to learn properly. Sometimes the teachers are the ones who lack the education needed to instruct. Many do not even realize when there is a reading or learning issue with a student. There could actually be a serious learning disability such as Dyslexia or other difficulty that may be effecting the child's ability to learn. Many of the educators just look the other way as not to be burdened with the problems.

    Read More

  • The Brass Plaques of the Benin Palace

    2152 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Portuguese arrived in Benin, in modern Nigeria, between 1472 and 1486 to find an established and ancient kingdom with remarkable social and ritual complexity, with art that was comparatively naturalistic, and with a political system that was, on the surface, recognizable to the Europeans: monarchy. Even more importantly, they found a land rich in pepper, cloth, ivory, and slaves, and immediately set out to establish trade (Ben-Amos 35-6). Though we often imagine "first contacts" between Europeans and Africans as clashes of epochal proportions, leaving Europeans free to manipulate and coerce the flabbergasted and paralyzed Africans, this misjudges the resilience and indeed, preparedness, of the Benin people. The Benin were able to draw on their cultural, political, and religious traditions to fit the European arrival in an understandable context. Indeed, as the great brass plaques of the Benin palace demonstrate, the arrival was in fact manipulated by the Benin to strengthen, not diminish, indigenous royal power.

    Read More

  • Overview of Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Adichie

    1318 Words  | 3 Pages

    The prior history of Nigeria before the 1900’s is critical in exploring the effects of colonialism. During the pre-colonial era, Nigeria was mainly divided into three tribes: Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa Fulani. A female’s role differed according to kinship structure of the tribe and the status of the woman in the economy. Neither new nor peculiar, women have long been regarded as the “subordinate” class in Nigerian culture. Nigerian women were able to achieve high statuses by lineage or marrying into ruling class families. Under customary laws, a woman’s purpose was to be fertile and able to bear children. Tribes expected their women to marry into Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa Fulani patri-lineage and bear sons to guarantee the future of the tribe. A wife’s position improved as she gave birth to more children and gain approval from elder members. Women who could not were scorned just as Mama wa...

    Read More

  • The Push and Pull of Lagos, Nigeria

    548 Words  | 2 Pages

    total value of the imports of the country. It benefits Nigeria’s oil, natural gas, coal,

    Read More

  • Effects Of Colonialism In Africa

    833 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...olonialism has afflicted aboriginal people worldwide and has demonstrated perilous effects for countless cultures, languages, and traditions. There were many reasons for exploration and colonization including economics, religion, resources, and prestige. Colonialism has shaped the contemporary understanding of individuals from Niger as well as other parts of Africa and other places too, like the Chambri and Tlingit people; mainly in economics. The colonial past of so many cultures has caused numerous indigenous people today face many issues. Today colonialism is still active and continues to have devastating effects on global cultural groups.

    Read More

  • The Evolution of Women in Nigeria

    1296 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout the centuries, the roles of Nigerian women have continuously evolved. During the pre- colonial era, women in Nigerian tribes were not only child bearers and wives, but also free adults. They played critical roles in food preparation, weaving, pottery, and the economy. However, the impact of British rule in Nigeria made a significant shift from the pre-colonial to the post- colonial era. The influence of the Catholic Church, Western style education, patriarchal government and modern ways of making money took a major toll in a woman’s role in society. As demonstrated in the history and literature of Nigeria, society can clearly witness the setbacks and growths of Nigerian women experienced. This literary paper’s purpose is to analyze how these women came to be, what exactly caused to evolve, and where they stand in today’s society.

    Read More

  • Nok Culture In Nigeria Research Paper

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    Its neighbors include Cameroon and Chad to the east, Niger to the north and Benin to the west. Nigeria is a very important country in Africa since it exports oil worldwide. Agriculture and industry constitute most of Nigeria's economic activity. Women represent an estimated 60-80 percent of the agricultural labor force, producing about two-thirds of the food crops. Currently, Nigeria's population exceeds 110 million.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Petroleum Business on Nigeria

    1574 Words  | 4 Pages

    The measure of petroleum abundance and production in Nigeria is measured by the United States. According to the statistical data and the U.S. measures, Nigeria reserves make the country the tenth petroleum-richest nation, and by far, one of the most affluent countries in Africa. In the middle of 2001 its crude oil production was averaging around 2.2 million barrels per day. Though, there is a very prominent market for offshore rigs, nearly all of Nigeria’s primary reserves are in and around the delta of the Niger river. Ever since Nigeria became independent, it is one of the few oil producing countries that can increase its oil output drastically. The g...

    Read More

  • Essay On Resource Curse In Nigeria

    1425 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Samuels in Case Studies in Comparative Politics, Nigeria began as a group of states and empires, which were conquered by the British Empire who ruled Nigeria through indirect rule with varying degrees of rule in North and South Nigeria (Samuels, 323-326). Since they were granted independence in 1960, three republics have been created and each has ended by military rule, which led to the creation of the fourth, and current republic in Nigeria. In the current regime Nigeria’s GDP is ranked 108 of 156 and has been decreasing, lower than some of the non oil-producing nations in Africa (“Nigeria”).

    Read More

  • British Imperialism In Nigeria

    863 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nigeria is a developing country in West Africa that was colonized by the British in 1884 at the Berlin conference where Africa was divided by European powers (Graham 2009). The British wanted to expand their empire, which meant taking over other countries that had resources that they wanted, and would allow them to expand their trade market and economy. One of the colonies that British colonized was Colonial Nigeria, which was forced to participate in the slave trade in the past and was controlled by the British through the set up of trading posts and selling manufactured goods. The British split Nigeria into the north and the south regions (Temple 1912). The Southern and Northern Nigeria Protectorates controlled these two regions.

    Read More

  • Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

    1327 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...’s depictions of both traditional and modern beliefs in varying degrees illustrate the importance of both in contemporary Nigerian culture, as well as the greater Africa as a whole, and how both are intertwined and cannot exist without the other. In effect, she skillfully subverts stereotypes or single perceptions of Africa as backward and traditional, proving instead, the multifaceted culture of Africa. She further illustrates that neither traditional African nor western culture is necessarily detrimental. It is the stark contrast of the fundamental cultures that inevitably leads to clashes and disagreements. In the end, what holds African countries such as Nigeria together is their shared pride. Modern, western influences can bring positive changes to society, but new cultures cannot completely eradicate the foundational cultures to which a society is founded on.

    Read More

  • Essay On Nigerian Culture

    2197 Words  | 5 Pages

    Nigerian culture is as multi-ethnic as the people in Nigeria. The people of Nigeria still cherish their traditional languages, music, dance and literature. Nigeria comprises of three large ethnic groups, which are Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani and Igbo.

    Read More

More about Exploring Nigeria's Riches

Open Document