When did the British first come to Nigeria?
The modern history of Nigeria – as a political state encompassing 250 to 400 ethnic groups of widely varied cultures and modes of political organization – dates from the completion of the British conquest in 1903 and the amalgamation of northern and southern Nigeria into the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria in 1914.
Why did the British Amalgamated Nigeria in 1914?
The unification was done for economic reasons rather than political—Northern Nigeria Protectorate had a budget deficit; and the colonial administration sought to use the budget surpluses in Southern Nigeria to offset this deficit.
Who colonized northern Nigeria?
Frederick Lugard
Frederick Lugard proclaimed the protectorate of Northern Nigeria at Ida in Kogi on January 1, 1897. The basis of the colony was the 1885 Treaty of Berlin, which broadly granted Northern Nigeria to Britain on the basis of their protectorates in Southern Nigeria.
When was southern Nigeria divided into eastern and western provinces?
Explanation: Southern provinces in Nigeria divided into Eastern and Western Regions in 1939.
When was northern and southern Nigeria amalgamated?
In 1914, Southern Nigeria was joined with Northern Nigeria Protectorate to form the single colony of Nigeria.
Was Nigeria’s amalgamation a mistake?
One of the north’s leaders did, after all, later refer to amalgamation as ‘the mistake of 1914’. The economic disparity between the two Nigerias made their amalgamation inevitable.
Who was the architect of Nigeria’s amalgamation?
Although Lugard is credited as being the architect of Nigeria’s amalgamation, the process started long before he became Northern Nigeria’s high commissioner or the governor-general of the combined Nigeria in 1914.
When did the struggle for Nigeria’s Independence begin?
Although the struggle gained greater visibility during the late 1950s, when Nigeria made its first export shipment of crude oil, and intensified towards the independence year of 1960, this phase of the struggle began before the discovery of oil in the country.
Why is there no international peacekeeping force in Nigeria?
The contemporary map of conflicts in Africa does not showcase Nigeria – and for a good reason: there are no international peace keeping forces there. The main theatres of conflict on the continent have for the better part of the last two decades been the Great Lakes region, the Horn of Africa, and parts of West Africa.