Colonialism in NigeriaBy Victoria Collins

Nigeria

Nigeria is on the West African Coast

It’s Capital is Abuja

Two major rivers flow through it: the Niger and the Benue

The Europeans wanted it for it’s natural resources and land opportunities

Nigeria’s Previous History

Before about the 8th century AD, Nigeria no real centralized government

In about the 11th century, the Muslim Kanem-Bornu empire expanded into Nigeria

Nigeria was divided into several different states, with a different rule in each, underneath Kanem-Bornu

In the late 1400’s, the Portuguese became the first Europeans to visit Nigeria, followed by British, French, and Dutch traders.

The Beginning of Colonialism

The British did not occupy Nigeria until 1885

In the following years, they established their rule both by signing treaties and by using force

There was pressure for Great Britain to gain colonies to compete with powers like France and Germany.

In 1900 the Royal Niger Company’s charter was revoked and British forces began to conquer the north

By 1906, Great Britain ruled all of Nigeria

“Indirect Rule”

Nigeria was split into the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria; In 1914, these regions were combined and the Protectorate of Nigeria was established

The British method of “indirect ruling” put some natives in charge of others, regardless of social standing

This sometimes promoted people from arguing clans or villages over the other, resulting in conflict

When this happened, these people were replaced with British Officers

“Indirect Rule”

This caused frustration, because people felt their voices were being ignored

Riots were frequent

On top of this, villagers in South Eastern Nigeria suffered from oil spills (because of European oil drilling) and high imposed taxes

Riots ensued, and caused the resign of several officers and the lowering of taxes

Methods

The British used education to further dominate NigeriansThis method was supported by Christianity and

helped its spread

The Church Missionary Society (CMS) and the Methodist Missionary Society were some of the first schools

They translated the bible to different languages, including Yoruba, Efik, Nupe, and Ibo.

Education

British Officials chose what parts of Christianity were taught, because some educators preached about equality

Officials were afraid this would lead to altered perspectives on race and class distinction

Schools and classes were in English, to teach the natives “proper” thinking

Religion

The British were trying to introduce Christianity into a culture with almost 500 years of Islam

These contrasting views led to skirmishes and small riots over religion

Pacification of the North

To solve the religious issue, in 1903 an 800 mile military campaign was launched It was described as the “Pacification of the North”Force was used to assert Christianity

This led to the development of many Muslim radical movements, such as the Mahdists, whose goal was to “cleanse” the land of the British

Independence

On October 1, 1960, Nigeria officially became an independent nation

Although it was independent, it still relied heavily on British influenceThe Queen of England was temporarily accepted as

the Head of State

In 1967, the Igbo seceded from Nigeria, rebelling against social and economical inequalityThey created the new nation “Biafra”War broke out, and finally in 1970, Biafra capitulated

Nigeria Today

Nigerian economy quickly advanced from the profit of petroleum oil

However, uneven distribution of wealth and government corruption caused substantial problems

Since its independence, presidents have been elected and overthrown, and there have been frequent coups (some failing, some succeeding)

In the early 2000’s, the government took a more forceful approach to corruption Although it was some-what affective, government corruption

is still a problem

The current President of Nigeria is Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan

Resources

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0860005.html

Nnamdi Ihuegbuhttp://www.southernct.edu/organizations/hcr/2002/no

nfiction/colonialism.htm

Angie J. (slideshare)http://www.slideshare.net/guest10c6078/colonialism-

nigeria-by-angie-j-1332954