Nigeria is named after the Niger River.
Nigeria is a federal constitutional republic located in West Africa, and is made up of 36 states. This cultural history is based on core values and traditions that still exist and are practiced today. Despite its shameful association with the infamous "Nigerian letter scams," Nigeria has a rich cultural heritage that is sustained by many of its citizens.
Social Values and Ethics
According to Femiamao.com, some of the traditional values in Nigeria include honesty, education, morality, respect for elders, respect for fellow citizens and family loyalty. Understanding the diversity in religious beliefs is also considered a core value within the country, as there are several religious groups that make up the population in Nigeria. One of the most significant values that Nigeria holds to be of great importance is the wisdom of its elders. Age is a symbol of experience and intelligence, and the mistreatment of said elders is viewed as taboo act.
Religion
Christians and Muslims comprise the predominant religious groups in Nigeria. Christianity is more common in the southern region of the country, while Islam is the dominant religion in the north. Indigenous religious beliefs, although typically spiritual, also include the belief in the magical practices of witchcraft and sorcery and account for about 10 percent of the population, according to the report "Development of Educational in Nigeria" from Nigeria's University of Port Harcourt. These traditional beliefs are specific to certain rural or indigenous areas and are usually intertwined with either Christianity or Islam.
Education
After Nigeria became an independent nation in 1960, the implementation of educational awareness became an essential priority for the country, and Nigerian government and educational advocates became involved in educational development. According to a research study conducted by Dr. Samuel N. Maduagwu, from 1960 to 1984 the number of primary education institutions grew from approximately 16,000 to 38,000. A national policy on education was enacted, and presently Nigeria is working to maintain a stable primary education system and further develop secondary and higher education institutions.
Food Culture
In Nigeria, local foods such as rice, lentils and maize are staple carbohydrates for most citizens, reports the Food by Country website. Fish like carp, Nile perch and catfish are abundant proteins due to the access of the Niger River, which is how the country received its name. Mangoes are also an abundant fruit common to the area. Conventional western foods are popular in urban areas of the country and fast-food restaurant chains like McDonald's are becoming more prevalent.
Recreation
Entertainment and leisure activities in Nigeria are typically marked by traditional cultural practices; festivals, musical performances with singing and drums, dancing, and exhibitions are common forms of entertainment for many Nigerians. In urban areas, entertainment is mostly influenced by mass media and Western practices, like movies, technology and nightlife.
