Nigerians

== Sectarianism ==
Ethnic, religious, and regional disputes and tensions have commonly divided Nigerians on political issues.<ref name="April A. Gordon 2003. pp. 111">April A. Gordon. ''Nigeria's Diverse Peoples: A Reference Sourcebook''. Santa Barbara, California, USA: ABC-CLIO, 2003. p. 111.</ref> In particular, cultural and political divisions between the [[Islam|Muslim]] north and the [[Christianity|Christian]] south has politicised religion and caused significant political disputes in Nigeria.<ref name="April A. Gordon 2003. pp. 111" /> Ethnic-motivated and religious-motivated violence by extremists has increased these tensions as well.<ref name="April A. Gordon 2003. pp. 233" />

However, despite instances of extremism, most Nigerians continue to peacefully coexist, and a common Nigerian identity has been fostered amongst the more educated and affluent Nigerians as well as with the many Nigerians who leave small homogeneous ethnic communities to seek economic opportunities in the cities where the population is ethnically mixed.<ref name="April A. Gordon 2003. pp. 233" /> Although there are cultural divisions amongst Nigerians, the English language is commonly used as their primary language.<ref name="April A. Gordon 2003. pp. 233" /> Also, most Nigerians share a strong commitment to individual liberties and democracy.<ref name="April A. Gordon 2003. pp. 233" /> Even during periods of military rule, such military governments were pressured to maintain democratic stances by the Nigerian people.<ref name="April A. Gordon 2003. pp. 233" /> Nigeria's political figures are commonly known as multiple indigenous languages outside their own indigenous language.<ref name="April A. Gordon 2003. pp. 233" />