Browsing: Benin

Commenting on the Nigeria nation-state, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, wrote as follows: “It has been estimated that there are about 250 national or ethnic groups in the country – each with its own distinct language…’ In any case, there are ten principal national groups namely: Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Efik/Ibibio, Kanuri, Tiv, Ijaw, Edo, Urhobo, Nupe etc. These ten and the other national groups, who are still to be identified separately, are diverse in their origins, and speak different languages. In many respects, their cultural patterns, political institutions, social standards and customary usages differ very widely.” (Awolowo: 1966).