Introduction: Nigeria in perspective -- Precolonial states and societies -- European penetration -- British conquest and resistance -- Colonial rule -- Nationalism and independence -- The first republic, 1960-1965 -- Military rule and the civil war, 1966-1970 -- Oil and politics under the military, 1970-1975 -- Reforms and military disengagement, 1975-1979 -- The second republic, 1979-1983 -- The military, economy, and politics, 1983-1993 -- Predatory rule, 1993-1998 -- Crisis management and the transition to democracy.