Ever since gaining it's independence from the United Kingdom on October First, 1960, there have been constant struggles for power. In 1966, a revolution led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, took over the government killing the Northern Premier Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Western Premier S. L. Akintola and the Federal Prime minister Alhaju Abubkar Tafawa Balewa. After much struggle, Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon became dictator. However, in 1967, Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu withdrew the eastern region of Nigeria from Nigeria, and declared it the independent republic of Biafra, and war breaks out again. From 1968 to 1970, the Federal government of Nigeria reclaimed the Biafran territory, and Col. Odemengwu Ojukwu fled the country.

For about five years, peace settled on Nigeria. Then in 1975, leader Yakubu Gowon was overthrown in a bloodless coup. A coup is a sudden appropriation of leadership or power. Brig. Murtala Ramat Muhammed

The Hausa are the largest ethnic group in Nigeria today. Mostly Muslim, they first settled in west Africa during the 1000's to 1100's. At first they were many small city states; Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zaria. Eventually they were under control of the Songhai Empire. After the fall of the Songhai Empire, the Hausa were very involved in gold and slave trade.

Igbo is the third largest ethnic group in Nigeria, with a population of 15 million. Like the Yoruba, most of the Igbo farm the land as a living. In southeastern Nigeria, where they are located, the land is very fertile. The Igbo culture is very democratic and independent.

Despite Nigeria's independence and budding new government, there are still many problems facing it. There have been constant power struggles even though it is now democratic. International border disputes between Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Equatorial Guinea have been recurrent over the years. Also, Nigeria is a main drop off point for heroin, cocaine, and other illegal drugs headed for the Americas and Europe.

Although there may be problems, Nigeria still has a good outlook for the future. The new government is beginning to fall together, and the economy is greatly improving under the Obasanjo administration. As the country gets used to the new system, you can expect to see quality of life in Nigeria

Some common words found in the essay are:
Nigeria Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, Europe Nigeria, Ramat Muhammed, Europe Americas, Yoruba Igbo, Yakubu Gowon, Gulf Guinea, Nigerian Constitution, Ibrahim Babangida, yakubu gowon, largest ethnic nigeria, largest ethnic, palm oil, house representatives, olusegun obasanjo, overthrown bloodless, country rich, bloodless coup, overthrown bloodless coup, oil natural, natural resources,
Approximate Word count = 913
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)