Nworah, Uche. "Nigerian Politicians as Gangsters." The Nigerian Village Square. 18 Jan. 2005. 01 Apr. 2008 <http://www.nigeriavillagesquare1.com/Articles/Nworah/2005/01/nigerian-politicians-as-gangsters.html>

            In the years following The Godfather’s release, the movie was tremendously popular in the African country of Nigeria. If one had not seen the motion picture they were said to not have known, “what time it is”. The reasons for The Godfather’s popularity in foreign regions and countries often differ from those of the United States. Nigeria in the 1970’s was plagued by much corruption and government instability. The movie and its characters often provided an escape for those struggling in the wake of very difficult times. Nigerians could imagine they had the power of the great Don Corleone and could send out Luca Brasi to rid of their enemies. However, the enemies in the case of the Nigerians were not rival mafia families, but government officials and gang members. It has been suggested that like actual mafia members, Nigerian government affiliates were influenced by The Godfather. Just as mafia members are notorious lawbreakers, it was commonplace for Nigerian government officials to be skillfully avoid tax payments and steal government money that was meant to be distributed to the public. Likewise, Nigerian politicians often resorted to their own form of Godfathers in the 1970’s. Just as Amergio Bonasera comes to Don Corleone to ask for revenge on his daughter’s life, politicians looked to military president General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida for favors. Those who came for help would swear their forever lasting allegiance and loyalty to the General and often State Senators would be coerced to forfeit Federal allocations in return for Babangida’s assistance.

            The Godfather’s impact is not confined to the narrow borders of the United States or even countries with well established mafia influence such as Italy and Russia. The movie has had a universal appeal matched by few, as evidenced by its prevalence in the Nigerian culture in the 1970’s. Nigeria, a country with close to 0% Italian habitants and little known mob history, is still able to relate to the themes and morals of the movie because of their universality.  The tenets of respect, loyalty, and faith are central to all organization involvement, whether it be a religion, a tribe, or organized crime family. In addition, The Godfather is so dynamic in that those from all different background and beliefs can relate or confide in the movie for incredibly varied reasons. While mafia members may look to the movie as a model for their way of life, Nigerians in the 1970’s used The Godfather to vicariously overcome the economic and political struggles of the time.