Pre-Colonial Nigerian Political Systems: Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba & Igbo 🇳🇬

### Nigeria’s Rich Pre-Colonial Political Heritage: Before the 1914 amalgamation by Lord Lugard, Nigerian societies operated sophisticated indigenous forms of governance: 1. **Hausa/Fulani (Sokoto Caliphate)**: * **Centralized, autocratic, theocratic** structure. * Headed by the **Emir**, who exercised religious, executive, and judicial authority guided by Sharia law. 2. **Yoruba (Old Oyo Empire)**: * **Constitutional monarchy with strict checks and balances**. * Headed by the **Alaafin**, whose powers were counterbalanced by the **Oyomesi** (Council of Kingmakers) led by the Bashorun. 3. **Igbo Societies**: * **Decentralized, republican, egalitarian (acephalous)**. * Decisions made by village assemblies, title holders (**Ozo**), age grades, and the Council of Elders (**Umunna**).