Nigerian Ethnic Groups Research Articles

Genetic Relationships and Population Structure among Nigerian Ethnic Groups (Ibibio, Igbo, Hausa, Tiv and Yoruba) Based on Nine DNA Loci

Abstract Context: Population-specific attributes typically determine the behavior of human genotypes and traits in individuals. Examining the genetic relationships between populations presents an opportunity to observe patterns of genetic changes over time. By comparing populations, it is possible to see factors that may have sparked the evolution of a trait or genotype as well as the genetic diversity of the populations. Genetic diversity in the groups in Nigeria is still largely undefined. This can be achieved with the use of genetic markers. Aims: To determine the genetic relationships between Igbo, Ibibio, Yoruba, Tiv, and Hausa ethnic groups using nine short tandem repeat DNA markers. Settings and Design: Observational studies of 250 consenting participants. Methods and Material: Individuals of Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Ibibio, and Tiv were randomly sampled from their ethnic homes in Nigeria at participating institutions. DNA was extracted from blood samples using commercial DNA kits, and tested for nine autosomal short tandem repeat loci alleles using PCR and electrophoresis. The allele types and sizes were read and recorded for each locus for every individual. Statistical Analysis Used: Allelic frequencies, population pairwise genetic distances (FST and RST, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), and principal component analysis (PCA) were calculated using GenAlEx v6.502. Results: The fixation index (FST) was between 0.001 and 0.500 in the five populations. The estimated variation was 99.98% within individuals and 0.10% among populations. Four heterogeneous clusters were observed with three axes accounting for 32.86% variation. Conclusions: The genetic relationships closely mirrored linguistic groupings showing that language may have shaped early interaction and ultimately gene transfer between these groups.

Male Linear Anthropometrics of Selected Nigerian Ethnicities: A Cross - Sectional Analysis

Introduction: This study aims at evaluating selected linear anthropometrics of three Nigerian ethnic groups to provide baseline data for the creation of 3D Negroid anatomic models. Methods: The research design was a cross-sectional design. The sampling technique was multistage proportionate random sampling. The places of study were Imo, Oyo, and Kano States of Nigeria. The study lasted for one (1) year. Random selection of 1500 adult males from three major tribes (500 Igbo, 500 Yoruba, and 500 Hausa between the ages of 18 and 40 years). Tukey’s Post Hoc test of multiple comparisons was carried out to determine the specific ethnic groups that differ in specific anthropometric parameters. Results: The differences in standing height, arm length, and thigh length across the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba ethnic groups are statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that the Igbo and Yoruba groups had higher standing heights compared to the Hausa group. Arm length was longer in the Igbo and Yoruba groups compared to the Hausa group. However, thigh length was greater in the Hausa group compared to both the Igbo and Yoruba groups, while the Hausa group had longer thigh lengths than both the Igbo and Yoruba groups. The Igbo group displayed the largest arm span, whereas the Hausa group had the widest shoulder breadth. However, the Hausa group had a lower bi-iliac breadth in comparison to the other two ethnic groups.

Challenges and Prospects of the Igala Movie Industry (Igawood) in the Quest for Global Relevance

Beyond the more popular indigenous movie industries from the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria; Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, the Nigerian Movie Industry has witnessed the upsurge and establishment of more indigenous regional and ethnic movie industries. This development is born partly, out of the desire of indigenous Nigerian ethnic groups to tell their own respective stories; an effort towards sustaining the diverse culture which together, make one Nigeria, and also promote respective cultures globally. Adopting a qualitative design, this article examines the prospects and challenges of the Indigenous movie industry of the Igala ethnic group in Nigeria: Igawood in the quest for global relevance. The article projects that Igawood is an efficient tool for cultural integration, propagation, and sustenance, firstly, among people of the Igala ethnicity spread across the globe and also among other tribes of the world with an interest in the Igala culture. Among other challenges, the paper points at finance, the quest to make a profit, the star actor syndrome, relatively poor presence on satellite TV Networks, and lack of requisite technical know-how as factors militating against Igawood. The paper identifies the need for re-orientation and adequate technical training for players in the industry to meet up with the standard and global best practices.

Exploring Motivational Factors of Indigenous House Form for Value-Based Development: The Tiv People of Central Nigeria in Context

The quest for contextual identity and value-based developments by concerned authorities justifies the necessity to explore the inherent motivating factors that influence housing formation and the built environments of the varied Nigerian ethnic groups. Rapoport's identification of socio-cultural values as the primary influencers of house form has come under scrutiny, stipulating a replication in different contexts. One tends to ask about the motivating factors for the indigenous house form of the different ethnic groups in Nigeria that need to be explored and harnessed for value-based planning, design, and development for future infrastructure. This study explores the motivating factors of the indigenous house form of the Tiv people of central Nigeria, filtered through Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. This qualitative study utilised the Means-End Chain soft laddering technique, where 24 participants were interviewed, analysed, and ranked. According to the findings, Tiv indigenous dwellings are circular-shaped, connecting them to their cultural heritage. The open compounds also permit communal interactions in their natural setting and express their determination to live independent family lives. For housing stakeholders in Nigeria, the primitive values evoked in this study are essential for developing a contemporary, culturally sustainable society.

Images of the Slave and Slavery in the Oral Traditions of the Bette-Bendi, 1500 – 1700

Influenced by the availability of written materials, writers on Nigerian past have continued to pay attention to the reconstruction of the history of the major ethnic groups to the utter neglect of micro-ethnic groups. The Bette-Bendi and almost all their neighbours in the Upper Cross River region of Nigeria are among the ethnic groups whose histories are yet to be transferred from oral traditions to written documents. There is no exaggeration in stating that not many students and even established scholars of Nigerian history can locate in a map of Nigeria the homeland of the Bette-Bendi. This study on a vastly unknown Nigerian ethnic minority group examines and analyses the dynamics of slavery and the slave trade in the upper Cross River area through the instrumentality of Bette-Bendi proverbs. It is expected that the Bette-Bendi proverbs, as linguistic fossils for the concrete dynamics of slavery and the slave trade, would yield reliable information on the real character of this inglorious trade the way a shell would reveal the shape of the animal that once lived in it. The study relies on data from primary and secondary sources, which validate and complement each other. The combination of oral and written sources would strengthen the reliability of the conclusion reached on the various issues x-rayed in this paper.

Traditional soups in Nigeria: A review of six botanicals

Ethnobotanical investigations by workers have revealed the use of juvenile leaves of Cissus populnea L. (ogbolo), Sesamum indicum L. (eeku),Gongronema latifolium Benth. (Madunmaro), Mangifera indica L. (Mongoro), Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. (Odunkun) and Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (Araba) for preparing soups in Nigeria. In spite of this, the consumption of these traditional soups seems to be abandoned and only consumed during scarcity of commonly used vegetables such as Corchorus olitorius L. (Ewedu). Certain traditional soups are associated with particular Nigerian ethnic groups. As examples, Gongronema latifolium to Igbo people of southeast Nigeria, while Sesamum indicum to the Yorubas and Hausas, southwest and northern Nigeria respectively. For ethnomedicinal purposes Cissus populnea and Sesamum indicum soups enhance sexual performance in men as well as production and cleansing of sperm. Mangifera indica soup is used as anti-anaemic; Gongronema latifolium soup forms part of a recipe for the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Ceiba pentandra soup is used for treating diarrhoea disorder. Despite the therapeutic and nutritional benefits of the soups, their consumption is gradually waning due to erosion of traditional knowledge and deforestation of medicinal plants occasioned by increasing urbanization. This review documents the therapeutic uses and pharmacological effects of six medicinal plants used as traditional soups, with the view that an awareness of their health benefits could lead to a resurgence of their consumption in diet.

Horizontal Facial Thirds of Young Adults in Two South-South Nigerian Ethnic Groups

Horizontal Facial Thirds of Young Adults in Two South-South Nigerian Ethnic Groups

Structure versus Process: Exploring the Link between Distributive and Procedural Justice Beliefs and National Identification among the Peoples of Southern and Northern Nigeria

Abstract Nigeria’s ethno religious plurality has persistently hindered cohesion among its many peoples. Thus, for over four decades, a debate has been ongoing over whether or not the Nigerian polity should be restructured. The present study drew from System Justification Theory to examine how the constituent groups in Nigeria are apparently kept united amidst perceptions of injustice from some of her ethnic groups. The paper also examined the extent to which the perceptions of distributive and procedural justice influence national identification. The study involved a survey of 230 federal university undergraduates. Participants responded to a scale on distributive and procedural justice beliefs as well as on measures of national identification. Results revealed that distributive and procedural justice beliefs have a significant influence on national group identification. Furthermore, respondents from the southern Nigeria showed strong identification with their ethnic groups but weak identification with the national group, while participants from northern Nigeria showed strong identification with the ethnic group and an equally strong identification with the national group. These findings suggest there is less national cohesion among Nigerian ethnic groups than is necessary for faster national development. Recommendations are therefore made on how national cohesion might be achieved in spite of cultural differences.

Self-motivated behaviour: Its influence on intergroup contact for intergroup harmony

We investigated the role of self-motivated behaviour in promoting intergroup member contact for intergroup harmony. A multi-ethnic group of 68 freshmen students attending a Nigerian state university were participants (female = 43.8%; Mean age = 22.15 years, SD = 2.35 years; Igbo = 45.6%, Hausa/Fulani = 20.4%, Yoruba = 24.5%, and others = 9.5%). By religious affiliation, the students comprised Christians (62%) and Muslims (38%). The students took part in an intergroup contact learning assignment designed for them to interact with others outside their class cohort and from a different ethnic group to themselves. They completed measures of self-motivated behaviours defined by self-efficacy, self-interest, learning predisposition, as well as intergoup harmony. Tests of mediation revealed significant positive indirect effects of intergroup member contact on intergroup harmony through self-efficacy, self-interest, and learning behaviour. Self-motivated behaviour fully mediated the relationship between intergroup contact and intergroup harmony among students in Nigerian multi-ethnic settings. Self-motivated behaviour may facilitate peace-building and intergroup harmony, for management of intergroup relations, among Nigerian major ethnic groups premised on intergroup contact.

Lymphoma of the parotid gland among a Nigerian ethnic group

Lymphoma of the parotid gland among a Nigerian ethnic group

Oil and ethnic inequality in Nigeria

Although it is known that ethnic biases exist in Africa, less is known about how these respond to natural resource prices. Many ethnically fragmented African countries depend on a small number commodities for their export base. Oil prices experienced in early life predict differential adult outcomes across Nigerian ethnic groups. Our difference-in-difference approach compares members of southern ethnicities to other Nigerians from the same birth cohort. This North-South distinction mirrors several economic, political, and religious cleavages in the country. Greater prices in a southern individual’s birth year predict several relative outcomes, including reduced fertility, delayed marriage, higher probabilities of working and having a skilled occupation, greater schooling, lower height, and greater BMI. These microeconomic impacts are explained by macroeconomic responses to oil prices; relatively, urban incomes increase, food production declines, and maternal labor intensifies in the South.

Is Pedal Melanoma Among A Nigerian Ethnic Group Preventable?

Is Pedal Melanoma Among A Nigerian Ethnic Group Preventable?

Stature estimation from cephalometric parameters of young adults in five Nigerian ethnic groups

Various studies across the globe have documented population-specific data on stature estimation from dimensions of the head. This is important in forensic identification. This study was undertaken to formulate regression equations from circumference, length and width of the head, with a view to determining stature. A total of 888 undergraduates from six South-South Nigerian universities, who are of the tribes Ukwuani, Bini, Annang, Izon and Ikwere, were sampled for the study. Body height and three dimensions of the head were measured using standard methods. Results show that the parameters measured were higher in males with significant values than females in most ethnic groups studied (p<0.05). There were significant relationship between height and dimensions of the head (p<0.05) in most cases. Application of cephalometric parameters as tools in forensic examination is hereby highlighted.

Allele and Genotype Frequencies of Cytochrome P450 2B6 516G>T Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in HIV-Negative and HIV-Infected Adult Nigerian Populations.

Polymorphisms in genes have been found in most enzymes involved in drug metabolism, especially in the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family with considerable ethnic differences in their frequencies. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the major source of these genetic variations. CYP2B6 516G>T SNP found in both CYP2B6*6 and CYP2B6*9 alleles significantly reduces CYP2B6 protein expression and enzyme activity with important implications on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic outcomes of some clinically relevant drug substrates. This study determined the frequencies of CYP2B6 516G>T SNP in HIV-negative and HIV-infected adult Nigerian populations. Three hundred unrelated subjects (150 each of HIV-negative volunteers and HIV-infected patients) of different Nigerian ethnic groups residing in Ilorin and Ile-Ife and its environs, respectively, were recruited and genotyped for their CYP2B6 516G>T genetic status using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Differences in allele and genotype frequencies between both populations were tested using Pearson χ test. Minor allele frequency of 36.4% and genotype frequencies of 38.7% GG, 50.0% GT, 11.3% TT and a minor allele frequency of 37.0% and genotype frequencies of 42.0% GG, 42.0% GT, 16.0% TT were obtained for the HIV-negative volunteers and HIV-infected patients, respectively. χ test indicated a significant relationship between genotype frequencies in both populations (P < 0.001). The minor allele and genotype frequencies obtained in the 2 populations significantly differ and corroborate previous studies, which have reported CYP2B6 516G>T SNP in various other African populations.

Benign Ovarian Teratomas Discovered at Cesarean Section in a Nigerian Ethnic Group: Case Report

Benign Ovarian Teratomas Discovered at Cesarean Section in a Nigerian Ethnic Group: Case Report

&lt;i&gt;In vitro&lt;/i&gt; antioxidant activities of extracts of &lt;i&gt;Vernonia amygdalina&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Ocimum gratissimum&lt;/i&gt; leaves

Vernonia amygdalina and Ocimum gratissimum occupy prominent positions in the diets of several Nigerian ethnic groups. This study therefore compared the phenolic content and some antioxidative activities of the ethanolic leaf extracts of these two plants. Ethanolic extracts of freshly plucked leaves were obtained using standard procedures. The phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the vegetables were quantified in vitro. The results show that O. gratissimum contains higher amounts of total phenolics (168.5 ± 5.50 and 97.0 ± 0.01 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract respectively) and flavonoids (126.7 ± 1.00 and 65.4 ± 4.42 mg quercetin equivalents/g extract respectively) than V. amygdalina. A dose-dependent increase in flavonol content was observed for both extracts with higher contents obtained in the O. gratissimum extract. O. gratissimum also has higher DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 values of 105.7 and 111.8 μg/ml respectively) and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) (110.0 ± 0.02 and 85.0 ± 0.01 mg Fe2+/g extract). O. gratissimum also had higher reducing power than V. amygdalina at the concentrations studied. Standard ascorbic acid however had higher antioxidant activity values for the DPPH, FRAP and reducing power assays. Both plant extracts reasonably inhibit lipid peroxidation at 31.4 ± 0.15% for V. amygdalina and 42.8 ± 1.00% for O. gratissimum. The results further substantiate the medicinal value of these vegetables. Consumption of these vegetables is encouraged to help militate against deleterious effects of reactive species.Keywords: Phenolic; Flavonoids; DPPH; Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential (FRAP); Lipid peroxidation

Intra and Post Circumcision Bleeding in Nigerian Neonates: Correlation with Hemostatic Parameters

Circumcision is one of the oldest operations known. In Nigeria there is dearth of knowledge about the incidence of post-circumcision bleeding. Only one out of every seven males in the world is circumcised, however circumcision is the rule rather than the exception within all Nigerian ethnic groups and religions. This study investigated the relationship between some hemostatic parameters, family history and bleeding associated with circumcision of male infants in Ibadan, South West Nigeria. Materials and methods: The study design involved a population of 244 male infants drawn from University College Hospital and Oluyoro Catholic Hospital, in Ibadan, Nigeria. Pre-circumcision PT and aPTT, factor VIIIc level, Platelet Count, incidence of Intra and post-operative bleeding were determined. Results: None of the infants had a family history of bleeding disorder or thrombocytopenia. Six of the full term neonates (2.5%) had prolonged PT while only 2 of the subjects (0.8%) had prolonged aPTT. The factor VIIIc level was between 31-49% in 16.1%, while 1.6% of the neonates had levels between 20-26%. Intra-operatively, 28.9% (manual method, Gomco Clamp) and 4.9% (plastibell) had moderately severe bleeding while excessive postcircumcision bleeding was found in 2.8% and 6.8% for manual methods and plastibell respectively. Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between pre-circumcision aPTT and the degree of post circumcision bleeding. A relationship would have been expected to exist between post-circumcision bleeding and factor VIIIc but this was not found to be significant in this study. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time would probably be sufficient as a screening hemostatic test for the detection of neonates that may be at risk of bleeding post-operatively.

The Yoruba version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale: psychometric characteristics and correlates of hopelessness in a sample of Nigerian psychiatric outpatients

BackgroundPrevious studies from the developed western countries have repeatedly demonstrated that hopelessness positively correlates with an increased risk of suicide in the context of chronic mental disorders such as schizophrenia and affective disorders. Despite this persistently strong association, the construct of hopelessness in terms of its factorial structure and correlates has not been explored among Nigerian psychiatric outpatients. ObjectiveThe aim of this present study is to examine the psychometric characteristics of the Yoruba language culturally adapted version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale in a cross-sectional sample of psychiatric outpatients in South-western Nigeria. MethodThe participants were 327 Nigerian adult outpatients receiving treatment for schizophrenia, bipolar and depressive disorders, consecutively recruited from the outpatient psychiatric clinics of a university teaching hospital in South-western Nigeria. The outpatients were recruited over a one year period. They completed the Yoruba translated version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS-Y), a sociodemographic and illness-related questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Their level of functioning was assessed with the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), psychopathology was evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the level of disability measured with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-II). Suicidality and confirmation of the diagnoses of schizophrenia, bipolar and depressive disorders were evaluated with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The construct of hopelessness in terms of factorial structure, reliability, validity and correlates was explored. Exploratory Factor Analysis using Principal Component Analysis with Varimax rotation was used to examine the factorial structure of the BHS-Y. Internal consistency was examined with Cronbach's alpha, and the construct validity of the scale was assessed using correlational analyses with the MINI suicidality module, BDI-II, GAF and WHODAS-II domain scores. We also tested the hypothesis that a shortened version of the BHS-Y will possess psychometric properties similar to the 20 item version. ResultsExploratory Factor Analysis using Principal Component Analysis with Varimax rotation showed that the construct of hopelessness among our outpatients was best explained by a 3 factor model. Reliability of the translated version of the scale was adequate as indicated by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.92. Construct validity was also satisfactory as reflected by the strong correlations with MINI suicidality, Beck Depression Inventory-II and Global Assessment of Functioning scores. The shortened 4 item single factor BHS-Y composed of items 8, 9, 13 and 15 demonstrated psychometric properties similar to those of the full item version. ConclusionThe Beck Hopelessness Scale (Yoruba Version) demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity and therefore may be useful in measuring the construct of hopelessness and in clinical suicide risk assessments among Nigerian psychiatric outpatients. There is the need for more studies to further explore the psychometric features and correlates of this scale among other Nigerian ethnic groups in addition to other medical patients' populations.

Circumcision Preceded Epidermoid Cysts of the Penis in a Nigerian Ethnic Group

The commonly performed circumcision of male infants has been searched with reference to the traumatic lesion called epidermoid cyst. A recent report emphasized with a 10-year-old boy its rarity in the world literature. Therefore, a series of 9 patients, which I documented between 1977 and 1996 from among an ethnic group in Nigeria, is presented. It accrued beneficially from the analysis of a histopathology data pool.

Comparative Antioxidant Activities of Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Ocimum gratissimum Leaves

Vernonia amygdalina and Ocimum gratissimum occupy prominent positions in the diets of several Nigerian ethnic groups. This study therefore compared the phenolic content and some antioxidative activities of the ethanolic leaf extracts of these two plants. Ethanolic extracts of freshly plucked leaves were obtained using standard procedures. The phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the vegetables were quantified in vitro. The results show that O. gratissimum contains higher amounts of total phenolics (168.5 ± 5.50 and 97.0 ± 0.01 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract respectively) and flavonoids (126.7 ± 1.00 and 65.4 ± 4.42 mg quercetin equivalents/g extract respectively) than V. amygdalina. A dose-dependent increase in flavonol content was observed for both extracts with higher contents obtained in the O. gratissimum extract. O. gratissimum also has higher DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 values of 105.7 and 111.8 µg/ml respectively) and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) (110.0 ± 0.02 and 85.0 ± 0.01 mg Fe2+/g extract). O. gratissimum also had higher reducing power than V. amygdalina at the concentrations studied. Standard ascorbic acid however had higher antioxidant activity values for the DPPH, FRAP and reducing power assays. Both plant extracts reasonably inhibit lipid peroxidation at 31.4 ± 0.15% for V. amygdalina and 42.8 ± 1.00% for O. gratissimum. The results further substantiate the medicinal value of these vegetables. Consumption of these vegetables is encouraged to help militate against deleterious effects of reactive species.