The Nigeria-Biafra war of 1967 to 1970 is one of Africa's most researched historical even... more The Nigeria-Biafra war of 1967 to 1970 is one of Africa's most researched historical events of the twentieth century. Notwithstanding, the volume of works published on the subject since 2000 shows that interest in that war has also continued to grow in the twenty-first century both within and outside academia. "Gender and the Construction of the Nigeria-Biafra War Scholarship" considers how women's activities in the war have created a literature around them. Put differently, it looks at how the literature on the war is infused by the role of women. To achieve this goal, a textual study of existing accounts on the war will be undertaken and will cover works written by Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike.
Beginning in Igboland shortly before independence in 1960, several parts of Eastern (also Southea... more Beginning in Igboland shortly before independence in 1960, several parts of Eastern (also Southeast or SouthEastern) Nigeria have reported the existence of indigenous converts to Islam by 1997 with populations ranging from a few individuals in some states to thousands of indigenes in others. One recent outcome of the growing presence of Islam in this region is the concern over probable religious restiveness. Will the east be reduced to a battlefield because of Islam as Northern Nigeria has been? The concern is linked to several incidents of religious unrest in Nigeria since 2000. This paper provides some background to Islam in parts of the region and then examines the concerns about stability and security that derive from the appearance of indigenous Muslim communities all over the region.
We signed on as the new editorial team of History in Africa (HIA) without knowing that we all sat... more We signed on as the new editorial team of History in Africa (HIA) without knowing that we all sat on the precipice of tumultuous times. After over a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global unrest calling for a reckoning on racial justice, and events that exposed the limits and fragility of democratic institutions, we are reminded of the importance of how people experience, remember, and chronicle the past. It is a weighty and fortuitous time to think about our craft as historians and how we develop methods for analyzing and revisiting sources. How do we want to highlight our unique approaches as historians of Africa, and how do we want to push our field of African history and our discipline of history, more broadly, in new directions? We salute and thank the previous team of HIA editors – Jan Jansen, Michel Doortmont, John Hanson, and Dmitri van den Bersselaar – for their excellent stewardship of the journal over many years.
Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Science and Technology was created on 1 January 1980, with the ... more Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Science and Technology was created on 1 January 1980, with the vision of making "Nigeria one of the acknowledged leaders of the scientifically and technologically developed nations of the world". Sixty years after independence, and forty years after the Science and Technology Ministry was created, Nigeria is neither a regional nor global technological power. Despite the advancements recorded in the country during the Civil War years (1967–1970), Nigeria remains a largely import economy, now dependent on countries that were once rated on the same pedestal or below her. That Nigerians in diaspora continue to make globally acknowledged strides in diverse fields of endeavour (including science and technology) presents the Nigerian state with an irony that consistently stares her in the face. The African Humanities Research and Development Circle (AHRDC) and Professor B. I. C. Ijomah Centre for Policy Studies and Research at the University of N...
As Frantz Fanon observed in 1961 regarding African nations, “scandals are numerous, ministers gro... more As Frantz Fanon observed in 1961 regarding African nations, “scandals are numerous, ministers grow rich, their wives doll themselves up; the members of parliament feather their nests and there is not a sail down to the simple policeman or customs officer who does not join in the great procession of corruption. In time, bribery and corruption became ‘a way of life,’ a means of getting by, earning a living, obtaining a service or avoiding a hassle.” Nigeria mirrors this description: A country where the siphoning of public funds long became the norm among public office holders and where it is also seen as good for people to amass wealth illegally without considering the de-humanizing situation to which they subject their fellow human beings. A common saying among the Igbo, which developed recently, goes thus: “kama onu n’eri ga erikata kwusi, nke n’adigh eri erikwala chaa” (instead of the mouth that eats to stop eating, let the one that does not eat not eat at all). Corruption among po...
The stupid inertness of the puzzled negro is duller than that of an oxen; a dog would grasp your ... more The stupid inertness of the puzzled negro is duller than that of an oxen; a dog would grasp your meaning in one half the time. ‘Men and brothers’! They may be brothers, but they certainly are not men. (Robert BadenPowell, cited in Hyman 1993: 278). Of the Zulu, at the turn of the twentieth century, it was written: Throughout his life, the Zulu of the olden times was subjected to a remarkable system of unremitting discipline, but it was a discipline that ‘Made him honest, brave and wise, respectful toward king and neighbour ... He was a cunning and daring opponent, a keen logician and consummate diplomatist, not a mongrel but a man of repute, not a debased savage but an intelligent being. He was, in short, a man of right with an undeniably just and overwhelmingly strong claim to be dealt with as such’, even by his conquerors and every other Whiteman living in Africa. (Stuart 1903: 13, cited in Binns 1975: 183). The Boy Scouts’ founder’s view of African men and, by inference, expressi...
The Nigeria-Biafra war of 1967 to 1970 is one of Africa's most researched historical even... more The Nigeria-Biafra war of 1967 to 1970 is one of Africa's most researched historical events of the twentieth century. Notwithstanding, the volume of works published on the subject since 2000 shows that interest in that war has also continued to grow in the twenty-first century both within and outside academia. "Gender and the Construction of the Nigeria-Biafra War Scholarship" considers how women's activities in the war have created a literature around them. Put differently, it looks at how the literature on the war is infused by the role of women. To achieve this goal, a textual study of existing accounts on the war will be undertaken and will cover works written by Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike.
Beginning in Igboland shortly before independence in 1960, several parts of Eastern (also Southea... more Beginning in Igboland shortly before independence in 1960, several parts of Eastern (also Southeast or SouthEastern) Nigeria have reported the existence of indigenous converts to Islam by 1997 with populations ranging from a few individuals in some states to thousands of indigenes in others. One recent outcome of the growing presence of Islam in this region is the concern over probable religious restiveness. Will the east be reduced to a battlefield because of Islam as Northern Nigeria has been? The concern is linked to several incidents of religious unrest in Nigeria since 2000. This paper provides some background to Islam in parts of the region and then examines the concerns about stability and security that derive from the appearance of indigenous Muslim communities all over the region.
We signed on as the new editorial team of History in Africa (HIA) without knowing that we all sat... more We signed on as the new editorial team of History in Africa (HIA) without knowing that we all sat on the precipice of tumultuous times. After over a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global unrest calling for a reckoning on racial justice, and events that exposed the limits and fragility of democratic institutions, we are reminded of the importance of how people experience, remember, and chronicle the past. It is a weighty and fortuitous time to think about our craft as historians and how we develop methods for analyzing and revisiting sources. How do we want to highlight our unique approaches as historians of Africa, and how do we want to push our field of African history and our discipline of history, more broadly, in new directions? We salute and thank the previous team of HIA editors – Jan Jansen, Michel Doortmont, John Hanson, and Dmitri van den Bersselaar – for their excellent stewardship of the journal over many years.
Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Science and Technology was created on 1 January 1980, with the ... more Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Science and Technology was created on 1 January 1980, with the vision of making "Nigeria one of the acknowledged leaders of the scientifically and technologically developed nations of the world". Sixty years after independence, and forty years after the Science and Technology Ministry was created, Nigeria is neither a regional nor global technological power. Despite the advancements recorded in the country during the Civil War years (1967–1970), Nigeria remains a largely import economy, now dependent on countries that were once rated on the same pedestal or below her. That Nigerians in diaspora continue to make globally acknowledged strides in diverse fields of endeavour (including science and technology) presents the Nigerian state with an irony that consistently stares her in the face. The African Humanities Research and Development Circle (AHRDC) and Professor B. I. C. Ijomah Centre for Policy Studies and Research at the University of N...
As Frantz Fanon observed in 1961 regarding African nations, “scandals are numerous, ministers gro... more As Frantz Fanon observed in 1961 regarding African nations, “scandals are numerous, ministers grow rich, their wives doll themselves up; the members of parliament feather their nests and there is not a sail down to the simple policeman or customs officer who does not join in the great procession of corruption. In time, bribery and corruption became ‘a way of life,’ a means of getting by, earning a living, obtaining a service or avoiding a hassle.” Nigeria mirrors this description: A country where the siphoning of public funds long became the norm among public office holders and where it is also seen as good for people to amass wealth illegally without considering the de-humanizing situation to which they subject their fellow human beings. A common saying among the Igbo, which developed recently, goes thus: “kama onu n’eri ga erikata kwusi, nke n’adigh eri erikwala chaa” (instead of the mouth that eats to stop eating, let the one that does not eat not eat at all). Corruption among po...
The stupid inertness of the puzzled negro is duller than that of an oxen; a dog would grasp your ... more The stupid inertness of the puzzled negro is duller than that of an oxen; a dog would grasp your meaning in one half the time. ‘Men and brothers’! They may be brothers, but they certainly are not men. (Robert BadenPowell, cited in Hyman 1993: 278). Of the Zulu, at the turn of the twentieth century, it was written: Throughout his life, the Zulu of the olden times was subjected to a remarkable system of unremitting discipline, but it was a discipline that ‘Made him honest, brave and wise, respectful toward king and neighbour ... He was a cunning and daring opponent, a keen logician and consummate diplomatist, not a mongrel but a man of repute, not a debased savage but an intelligent being. He was, in short, a man of right with an undeniably just and overwhelmingly strong claim to be dealt with as such’, even by his conquerors and every other Whiteman living in Africa. (Stuart 1903: 13, cited in Binns 1975: 183). The Boy Scouts’ founder’s view of African men and, by inference, expressi...
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Science and Technology was created on 1 January 1980, with the visi... more Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Science and Technology was created on 1 January 1980, with the vision of making “Nigeria one of the acknowledged leaders of the scientifically and technologically developed nations of the world”. Sixty years after independence, and forty years after the Science and Technology Ministry was created, Nigeria is neither a regional nor global technological power. Despite the advancements recorded in the country during the Civil War years (1967–1970), Nigeria remains a largely import economy, now dependent on countries that were once rated on the same pedestal or below her. That Nigerians in diaspora continue to make globally acknowledged strides in diverse fields of endeavour (including science and technology) presents the Nigerian state with an irony that consistently stares her in the face. The African Humanities Research and Development Circle (AHRDC) and Professor B. I. C. Ijomah Centre for Policy Studies and Research at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, therefore, announce their second international and interdisciplinary conference to engage with different aspects of this very important theme. The goal of the conference is to provide scholars and other participants with a platform to critically discuss the prospects and challenges of technological advancement in Nigeria. Technology is at the heart of the fourth industrial revolution. It is hoped that this conference will chart the way forward for science and technological development in Nigeria.
‘Nigeria’s Resource Wars’ reflects on the diversity of conflicts over access to, and allocation o... more ‘Nigeria’s Resource Wars’ reflects on the diversity of conflicts over access to, and allocation of, resources in Nigeria. From the devastating effects of crude oil exploration in the Niger Delta to desertification caused by climate change, and illegal gold mining in Zamfara, to mention a few, Nigeria faces new dimensions of resource-related struggles. The ravaging effects of these resource conflicts between crop farmers and Fulani herders in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and states across Southern Nigeria call for urgent scholarly interventions; with the Fulani cattle breeders’ onslaught altering the histories of many Nigerian families through deaths, loss of homes and investments, and permanent physical incapacity. Currently, there is an almost total breakdown of interethnic relations, with political commentators acknowledging that Nigeria has never been so divided as it presently is in its history. The struggles have now degenerated into kidnaps, armed robbery, and incessant targeted and random killings across the country; compounding the already complex problem of insecurity in Nigeria. The chapters in this volume engage with these issues, presenting the different arguments on resource conflicts in Nigeria. They draw insights from similar conflicts in Nigeria’s colonial/post-independence past and events from around the world to proffer possible solutions to resource-related confrontations in Africa. By offering a collection of different intellectual perspectives on resource conflicts in Nigeria, this volume will be an important reference material for understanding the diversity of thought patterns that underpin the struggle and policy approaches towards resolving conflict situations in Africa. This volume will be of considerable interest to scholars of Africa, researchers in the humanities, social sciences, and conflict studies, and policymakers interested in understanding the resource crisis in Africa.
Terrorism assumed a new dimension in Nigerian history in 2009. The situation by the eve of the 20... more Terrorism assumed a new dimension in Nigerian history in 2009. The situation by the eve of the 2015 general election was worrying, necessitating the new All Progressives Congress Party presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), adopting it as a key issue to be addressed if elected. The greater majority of Nigerians lauded this agenda and voted him in as the next president. The continuing experience of terrorism is felt in all sectors of national life and in every region. The educational sector is impacted with unprecedented levels of children and youth dropouts; the GDP contribution from agriculture has seen clear reduction, while foreign direct investment (FDI) has recorded a downward slope, not to mention the impossibilities imposed on normal existence by a thick cloud of insecurity. As promised, President Muhammadu Buhari-led government took up the challenge of combatting this threat. After six years, we call for a robust assessment of the efforts made so far and postulations on what more should be done.
Ableism refers to prejudice against persons living with disabilities. It can be viewed as a syste... more Ableism refers to prejudice against persons living with disabilities. It can be viewed as a system of oppression, like racism or sexism, which benefits able-bodied persons at the expense of those with disabilities. This subject will be discussed in multidimensional ways at a conferernce holding in February 2022 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
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Currently, there is an almost total breakdown of interethnic relations, with political commentators acknowledging that Nigeria has never been so divided as it presently is in its history. The struggles have now degenerated into kidnaps, armed robbery, and incessant targeted and random killings across the country; compounding the already complex problem of insecurity in Nigeria.
The chapters in this volume engage with these issues, presenting the different arguments on resource conflicts in Nigeria. They draw insights from similar conflicts in Nigeria’s colonial/post-independence past and events from around the world to proffer possible solutions to resource-related confrontations in Africa. By offering a collection of different intellectual perspectives on resource conflicts in Nigeria, this volume will be an important reference material for understanding the diversity of thought patterns that underpin the struggle and policy approaches towards resolving conflict situations in Africa. This volume will be of considerable interest to scholars of Africa, researchers in the humanities, social sciences, and conflict studies, and policymakers interested in understanding the resource crisis in Africa.
The continuing experience of terrorism is felt in all sectors of national life and in every region. The educational sector is impacted with unprecedented levels of children and youth dropouts; the GDP contribution from agriculture has seen clear reduction, while foreign direct investment (FDI) has recorded a downward slope, not to mention the impossibilities imposed on normal existence by a thick cloud of insecurity.
As promised, President Muhammadu Buhari-led government took up the challenge of combatting this threat. After six years, we call for a robust assessment of the efforts made so far and postulations on what more should be done.