OCCUPATION AND UPPER-CLASS FORMATION IN NIGERIA

In: Social Science Quarterly, Band 41, Heft 3, S. 350-356

Abstract

A brief analysis of occup & Uc formation in Nigeria is provided as an aid to a general study of soc stratification in Africa. The influence of occup on the formation of an elite in Nigeria is examined. A personal-interview survey by the author during a field trip to Nigeria in 1957-58 provides the data. The sample pop consisted of 156 selected individuals from various professions ranging from educator & lawyer to gov admin'or, clerk, politician, farmer & clergyman. 113 persons interviewed were gov officials or office holders, not including clerical employees of gov instit's. The largest single occup was that of educator, both in teaching & administration on all levels. The 2nd largest group consisted of 25 lawyers, the 3rd of businessmen, & the 4th of 'traditional rulers.' The prestige of the various professions in Nigeria & the SC categories into which their members generally belong are discussed briefly. It is stated that as yet very little is known about the new class patterns in modern Ur'ized Africa. Because of the increasing importance of Africa to the world in general, this area of res needs to be expanded. M. Maxfield.