Top Things You Should Know About Nigeria From 800BC To Independence

Nigeria the ‘giant of Africa’ is the seventh most populous nation in the world. Located in the southern coastal part of West Africa with Abuja as its capital city. It is one of the liveliest places in Africa that continues to attract visitors from different parts of the world.

Nigeria’s journey as an independent nation may have begun on October 1, 1960, but its history dates back far before the colonial era. Many aspects of modern life in Nigeria were established in the 16th century during the colonial era but by the middle of the 20th century the desire for Africans to end all forms of foreign control and influence grew. Most countries were fighting for the right to take charge of their political, social and economic affairs which eventually led to Nigeria being granted independence on 1 October 1960 under a constitution with parliamentary government and a favourable degree of autonomy for the country.

Nigeria marked total independence from Britain when it became a federal republic after a new constitution was adopted on 1 October 1963 with Nnamdi Azikiwe as its first president.

Below are the top 10 things you should know about Nigeria before independence

YORUBA CIVILIZATION IN 800

800 – Yoruba civilisation already well established, based on thirteen farming villages centred at Ilé-Ifẹ̀. Mega-state at Igbo-Ukwu has complex social structure, produces copious artefacts including bronzes.

BEGINNING OF EUROPEAN CONTACT IN 1450

1450 – Beginning of European contact on the Atlantic coast.

THE NOMINALLY MUSLIM HAUSA ESTABLISHED IN 1500

1500 – The nominally Muslim Hausa Kingdoms were established in Northern Nigeria.

FIRST BUILDING IN NIGERIA IN 1845

1845 – The first building in Nigeria was built in Badagry, Lagos State.

KANO TO MADE 10 MILLION SANDAL PAIR IN AFRICA

1851 – Kano one of the largest cities in Africa made 10 million sandal pairs and 5 million hides for export every year.

BRITAIN AND LAGOS IN 1851

1851 – Treaty Between Great Britain and Lagos.

FORMATION OF NIGERIA IN 1914

1914 – Formation of Nigeria under Governor Frederick Lugard

NEW NIGERIA INTRODUCED IN 1959

1959 – The new Nigerian currency was introduced.

NIGERIA WAS FORMED IN 1914

The land area is known today as Nigeria was formed in 1914 when colonial authorities merged the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria, to form the amalgamated Protectorate and Colony of Nigeria.

Below are the top things you should know about Nigeria after Independence

NIGERIA GAINED INDEPENDENCE FROM PRE-COLONIAL RULE IN 1960

Nigeria gained independence from the British empire in 1960, initially adopting a British style of government with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the first Nigerian head of government (prime minister). The country then had a population of over 45 million people.

NIGERIA HAS BEEN RULED BY MILITARY LEADERS FOR 29 YEARS

On Jan. 15 1966, a group of young, idealistic, UK-trained army majors overthrew Nigeria’s democratic government in a violent military coup — the country’s first.

A succession of increasingly repressive military governments ruled Nigeria for 29 of the next 33 years, until the restoration of democracy in 1999.

NIGERIA CIVIL WAR STARTED IN 1967

In 1967, following two coups and turmoil that led to about a million Igbos (one of Nigeria’s most populous ethnic groups primarily from the Eastern region of the country) returning to the south-east of Nigeria, the Republic of Biafra seceded.

The Nigerian government declared war and after 30 months of fighting, Biafra surrendered. On Jan. 15 1970, the conflict officially ended.

NIGERIA OIL’S BOOM BEGAN IN 1970

Oil profitability in Nigeria was greatest during the 1970s, when it became the wealthiest country in Africa.

Within two years, state profit increased by almost 50%, to an all-time high of N5.3 billion in 1976.

Nigeria bolstered profits when it joined the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1971, and the discovery of oil is widely believed to have influenced the course of the civil war.

A NIGERIAN WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN RECIPIENT OF THE NOBLE PRIZE FOR LITERATURE

A Nigerian was the first African recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Wole Soyinka was the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, which he won in 1986, and he is also a prominent social critic and political activist.

As an activist, he has been a voice for justice, freedom, and the end of tyranny. He has risked his life again and again to articulate the principles that provide the foundation for human rights, both in his native Nigeria and around the world.

NIGERIAN CIVIL RULE IN 1999

The 1999 transition of Nigeria from military to civilian, democratic government, was a defining moment in Nigerian history, representing the beginning of the longest, uninterrupted government since Independence in 1960.

The presidential election took place in February 1999, and Olusegun Obasanjo, who as head of state in 1976–79 had overseen the last transition from military rule, was declared the winner.

NIGERIAN WON ITS FIRST OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL IN 1996

Nigeria’s most successful Olympic outing was the 1996 Olympics, with the men’s football team winning Gold, and Chioma Ajunwa also winning a Gold medal in the women’s long jump event.

In total that year, Nigeria won two Gold medals, one silver medal, and three bronze medals.

NIGERIA BECAME AFRICA’S LARGEST ECONOMY IN 2013/4.

In April 2014 — looking back at the previous financial year — the statistics bureau of Nigeria confirmed the rebasing of the Nigerian economy’s gross domestic product (GDP) to $509.9 billion.

This placed it well above South Africa’s nominal GDP of $322 billion and elevated Nigeria to the position of the largest economy in Africa.

CONCLUSION

Since 1960, Nigeria has been an independent nation and has had fellow Nigerians govern the country. Currently, Muhammadu Buhari heads the country and is the fifteenth president of the Republic.