Northern Nigeria: History, Politics, Culture

Abstract

This study relies on an assemblage of theories to decipher the historical and cultural dynamics of Northern Nigeria, as well as to discern cross-cultural lessons for global social and organizational leadership. The research method is Critical Literature Analysis. The theoretical assemblage used for analysis combines Foucault’s genealogical method, Marx’s theory of alienation, Freeman’s stakeholder ethics, and agency theory. The authors view the mechanisms that have shaped Northern Nigeria’s history and continue to influence its present realities. Ultimately, the study reveals insights into the complexities of power, governance, and societal norms that can guide global cross-cultural leadership towards achieving balanced and beneficial outcomes. A line manager coming into the area from overseas should be willing to deal with and delve into this region’s heritage, because culture remains influenced by history especially when that history involves trauma. The new manager may be able to manage the workplace in a technical and functional sense, at least in the short-term, but stronger relations with local workers are often achieved through after-hours social functions. Through intensive and sincere interaction, the foreign manager must be able to build relations based on trust.