While the Nigerian criminal law is based on English common law, the process of introducing juvenile delinquency as a legal term did not begin until 1900. The first juvenile court session Nigeria was held in Lagos sometime in the 1940's; it was another 10 years before juvenile courts were regularly convened in each of the country's three regions. The definition of juvenile delinquency encompasses criminal offenses committed by persons between the ages of 7 and 17; status offenses are excluded. Most juvenile offenses are committed in urban areas and are property crimes. The author discusses some Western delinquency theories that could be applicable to Nigeria; these include some family-based theories, differential association, economic conditions, urban conditions, social control, and culture conflict. He finds theories of poverty, broken homes, labeling, and gang membership inadequate to explain the situation in Nigeria. 2 tables and 59 references