Nigerian People: North West and North East – Basic 2 Nigerian History Lesson Note (First Term)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Name Nigerian People in the North West
2. Name people in the North East
3. Locate these ethnic nationalities on the political map of Nigeria

Lesson Content

Northwest Nigeria. This is the area in the upper left part of Nigeria.

Major Ethnic Groups in Northwest:

• Hausa – the main group
• Fulani – cattle rearers who move around
• Gwari – in parts of Niger State
• Nupe – also found here

States in Northwest: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara States

What Northwest People Are Known For:

• Farming (growing millet, guinea corn, groundnuts)
• Cattle rearing (keeping cows)
• Trading
• Leather work and crafts
• Speaking Hausa language (most common)

Northeast Nigeria This is the area in the upper right part of Nigeria.

Major Ethnic Groups in Northeast:

• Kanuri – main group in Borno State
• Hausa – also found here
• Fulani – cattle keepers
• Marghi – in Borno State
• Bura – in Adamawa State
• Chamba – in Taraba State

States in Northeast: Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, and Taraba States

What Northeast People Are Known For:

• Farming in dry areas
• Cattle rearing
• Fishing (around Lake Chad)
• Trading across borders with other countries
• Speaking Hausa, Kanuri, and other local languages

Location on Map

• Northwest: Upper left corner of Nigeria
• Northeast: Upper right corner of Nigeria
• Both are in the northern part of Nigeria
• Both areas are drier than the south
• Both areas border other countries (Niger, Chad, Cameroon)

Similarities

• Both regions keep cattle
• Both farm similar crops (millet, guinea corn)
• Both speak Hausa language widely
• Both have similar dry weather
• Both trade with neighboring countries

Multiple Choice Exercise

1. Which ethnic group is the main group in Northwest Nigeria? a) Igbo b) Yoruba
   c) Hausa d) Ijaw
2. What are Fulani people mainly known for? a) Fishing b) Cattle rearing c) Trading only d) Making pots
3. Which ethnic group is the main group in Borno State? a) Hausa b) Yoruba c) Kanuri d) Igbo
4. How many states are mainly in Northeast Nigeria? a) 5 b) 6 c) 7 d) 8
5. What language is widely spoken in both Northwest and Northeast? a) English only b) Igbo c) Yoruba d) Hausa

Answers: 1(c), 2(b), 3(c), 4(b), 5(d)