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Nigeria SOCIETY
Population: Population and growth estimates
varied
widely. World Bank estimated 1990 population at 119
million;
however, 1991 preliminary census figures published in 1992
gave
population total of 88.5 million. Growth rate in 1990
estimated
about 3.3 percent; 28 percent of population urban in 1985.
Ethnic Groups: 250 to 400 or more recognized
groups,
many divided into subgroups of considerable social and
political
importance. Most important ethnolinguistic categories:
Hausa and
Fulani in north, Yoruba in southwest, and Igbo in
southeast, all
internally subdivided. Next major groups: Kanuri, Ibibio,
Tiv,
and Ijaw.
Languages: Number of languages estimated at 350
to 400,
many with dialects. Most important: Hausa, Yoruba, and
Igbo.
Hausa major language in north. English official language
used in
government, large-scale business, mass media, and
education
beyond primary school. Several other languages also
recognized
for primary education. Classical Arabic of religious
significance
in north.
Religion: In last officially accepted census
(1963),
about 47 percent of population self-identified as Muslims
(chiefly adherents of Sunni Islam), nearly 35 percent as
Christians, and more than 18 percent as other (almost
entirely
adherents of indigenous religions). Majority of north
Muslim;
south mainly non-Muslim, primarily Christian; middle belt
mixed
faiths. Mission-related Christian churches (Anglican,
Roman
Catholic, Methodist, and others), African independent
churches,
and Aladura Church present.
Education: Universal primary education (six-year
program) responsibility of state and local governments.
Great
increase in enrollments (about 12 million in government
primary
schools, additional millions in Muslim and Christian
private
schools in 1985). Responsibility for secondary education
shared
by federal and state governments; also some private
schools; 3.7
million in government secondary schools in 1985. In 1990
between
150,000 and 200,000 in thirty-five colleges, universities,
and
higher technical schools.
Health: Major prevalent diseases included
cerebrospinal
meningitis, yellow fever, Lassa fever, acquired immune
deficiency
syndrome (AIDS), malaria, guinea worm, schistosomiasis,
onchocerciasis, and malnutrition among young children.
Medical
establishments owned by federal, state, and local
governments and
private groups. Shortage of medical facilities and
physicians in
rural areas. Primary Health Care Plan launched in late
1980s,
including expanded immunization campaign.
Data as of June 1991
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