Path to Independence and Early Nationhood

The journey towards Nigerian independence gained momentum in the 1950s. In 1951, the country was divided into Northern, Western, and Eastern regions, each with its own house of assembly. By 1957, a federal Prime Minister was in place, and the Western and Eastern regions were granted internal self-government, with the Northern region following suit in 1959.

Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960, with Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the first Prime Minister. However, the early years of independence were marked by political unrest and ethnic tensions. A series of coups and counter-coups in 1966 led to the assassination of key political figures and ultimately to the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, from 1967 to 1970.

Example: The Biafran War erupted when the three eastern states attempted to secede as the Republic of Biafra, resulting in a three-year conflict that deeply impacted the nation.

The post-war period saw a succession of military rulers, with brief periods of civilian rule. Notable leaders included General Olusegun Obasanjo, who introduced a US-style presidential constitution, and Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who came to power through elections in 1979.

Precolonial Nigeria and Colonial Era

The history of Nigeria dates back to ancient times, with settlements in the region as early as 9000 BC. The Nok culture, known for its terra-cotta figurines, marked the transition from the Neolithic period to the Iron Age. By the 9th century, trading empires emerged around Lake Chad, followed by the formation of city-states, kingdoms, and empires across the region.

The colonial era began with Portuguese navigators reaching the Nigerian coast in the 15th century. The 16th and 17th centuries saw the rise of the slave trade, with many Nigerians forcibly sent to the Americas. British involvement in the region increased in the 19th century, initially through anti-slavery efforts and palm oil trade.

Highlight: The Royal Niger Company, established between 1879-1900, played a crucial role in British colonial expansion in Nigeria.

In 1861, Britain annexed Lagos as a Crown Colony, and by 1900, it had assumed direct responsibility for the region from the coast to the north. The merging of northern and southern Nigeria in 1914 marked the formation of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, which would remain under British rule until 1960.

Vocabulary: Protectorate - A state or territory protected and partially controlled by a stronger one.