A Brief History of Nigeria

As early 999 CE, history has been recorded specifically in northern Nigeria – Kano and Katsina. The Hausa kingdoms and the Kanem-Bornu Empire flourished as trade centers between North and West Africa. While the Yoruba people have existed as early as 8500 BCE in what is now the modern Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The Nri kingdom, regarded by many as the cornerstone of the Igbo culture, thrived between 10th century CE and 1911 CE.

The first Europeans to reach Nigeria are the Portuguese voyages thus the former capital Lagos being named after a Portuguese town in Algarve. After the Napoleonic Wars, the British expanded trade with the locals. On January 1, 1901, the country became a British colony. By 1914, the region formally became as the “Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria”. After World War II, the desire for independence has grown not only in Nigeria but all over the African continent. On October 1, 1960 Nigeria gained independence from the UK. In 1963, the country declared itself a Federal Republic with Azikiwe as the first president and finally separating from the British legacy.

The triumph of elected president Olusegun Obasanjo, a former Yoruba and former military leader, ended the 33-year martial regime in the country. Although surrounded by intrigues, his reelection in 2003 demonstrated improvements in facing government corruptions and economic development. The current government Umaru Yar’Adua of the People’s Democratic Party is also condemned by the international community as being extremely flawed after winning in the 2007 general election. The oil-producing Niger Delta region also faces various controversies over the past years.