4.1 Nigerian History & Colonial Era to 1960 Independence

Nigerian History & Colonial Era to 1960 Independence

A thorough understanding of Nigerian history, colonial administration, and constitutional development is a fundamental requirement for candidates sitting for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Computer-Based Aptitude Test. Current affairs and history questions frequently examine key dates, historical figures, colonial charters, constitutional milestones, and the nationalist struggles that led to independence.

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Pre-Colonial Nigeria: Kingdoms, Empires, and Autonomous Polities

Prior to British colonial conquest, the territory that is today Nigeria was inhabited by diverse, highly sophisticated societies with established political, economic, and judicial structures:

• Northern Emirates & Empires: The Hausa Kingdoms (such as Kano, Katsina, Zaria, and Daura) were consolidated under the Sokoto Caliphate following the 1804 Fulani Jihad led by Sheikh Usman dan Fodio. The Caliphate operated a centralized Islamic administrative system headed by the Sultan of Sokoto. To the northeast lay the ancient Kanem-Bornu Empire, ruled by the Mai (King) and later the El-Kanemi dynasty, which maintained trade networks across the Sahara.
• Southwestern Monarchies: The Oyo Empire reached its peak in the 17th and 18th centuries under the Alaafin of Oyo (constitutional monarch), checked by the Oyo Mesi (Council of Seven Chiefs led by the Bashorun). The Benin Kingdom was renowned for its centralized administration under the Oba of Benin, sophisticated urban planning, and world-famous bronze artwork.
• Southeastern Decentralized Societies: Igbo political systems were predominantly egalitarian and decentralized (acephalous). Decisions were made through village assemblies (Ama-ala), council of elders (Ndichie), age grades, and titled societies such as the Ozo. Important spiritual and commercial networks were established by the Nri Kingdom and the Aro Confederacy, which operated the famous Long Juju (Ibini Ukpabi) oracle.
• Middle Belt Polities: Included the Tiv egalitarian society, the Igala Kingdom of Idah (ruled by the Attah of Igala), and the Nupe Kingdom (ruled by the Etsu Nupe).

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European Penetration and the Royal Niger Company

European interaction began in the 15th century when Portuguese explorers arrived on the coast of the Bight of Benin. Initially centered on trade in spices and ivory, European activity shifted to the Transatlantic Slave Trade from the 16th to the early 19th centuries.

Following the British abolition of the slave trade in 1807, European interest pivoted to "Legitimate Commerce" in agricultural commodities, particularly palm oil (essential for industrial lubricant in Europe), groundnuts, cocoa, and timber.

The Role of Sir George Goldie

• United African Company (1879): British trader Sir George Dashwood Taubman Goldie amalgamated competing British merchant firms into the United African Company to secure a commercial monopoly along the Niger River.
• Royal Niger Company Charter (1886): The company was renamed the National African Company and granted a Royal Charter by the British Crown in 1886 as the Royal Niger Company. Goldie's company exercised administrative, judicial, and military authority over territories along the Niger and Benue rivers, securing treaties with local rulers.
• Revocation of Charter (1899): Following local conflicts (such as the 1895 Akassa Raid by King Koko of Nembe) and geopolitical friction with France, the British government revoked the Royal Niger Company's charter on December 31, 1899, for £865,000.

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The Creation of Protectorates and the 1914 Amalgamation

On January 1, 1900, the British government officially assumed direct colonial rule over Nigerian territories, organizing them into two distinct units:

1. Protectorate of Northern Nigeria: Capital initially at Zungeru, later moved to Kaduna. Administered by Lord Frederick Lugard as High Commissioner.
2. Protectorate of Southern Nigeria: Formed by merging the Niger Coast Protectorate with the territories of the Royal Niger Company, and later incorporating the Lagos Colony in 1906.

The Amalgamation of 1914

On January 1, 1914, Lord Frederick Lugard executed the historic Amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria, uniting the two protectorates into a single political entity named the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. Lugard became Nigeria's first Governor-General.

System of Indirect Rule

Lugard implemented Indirect Rule—an administrative governance model where the British ruled through existing traditional institutions and native authorities:

• Success in Northern Nigeria: Highly effective due to the existing centralized emirate structure, Islamic legal code, and tax collection mechanisms.
• Moderate Success in Western Nigeria: Partial success among Yoruba kingdoms, though checked by traditional constitutional balances.
• Failure in Eastern Nigeria: Severely failed in Igbo societies where central monarchs did not exist. The British created artificial "Warrant Chiefs", leading to widespread resentment, corruption, and social protests—most notably the Aba Women's War of 1929 (Aba Women's Riot) triggered by rumor of taxation on women.

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Colonial Constitutional Development (1922 – 1954)

Nigeria's transition from colonial subjugation to independence was marked by five major constitutional milestones, each introducing progressive political reforms:

graph TD
    A["Clifford Constitution (1922)<br/>Introduced Elective Principle (Lagos & Calabar)"] --> B["Richards Constitution (1946)<br/>Divided Nigeria into 3 Regions (North, West, East)"]
    B --> C["Macpherson Constitution (1951)<br/>Created Central Council of Ministers & Regional Assemblies"]
    C --> D["Lyttelton Constitution (1954)<br/>Established True Federal Structure & Regional Premiers"]
    D --> E["Independence Constitution (1960)<br/>Sovereign Federal Nation within Commonwealth"]

1. Clifford Constitution (1922)

• Promulgated by Governor Sir Hugh Clifford.
• Introduced the Elective Principle for the first time in Nigerian history, allowing four elected Africans (3 representing Lagos, 1 representing Calabar) into the Legislative Council.
• Led directly to the formation of Nigeria's first political party in 1923: the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), founded by Herbert Macaulay ("Father of Nigerian Nationalism").

2. Richards Constitution (1946)

• Promulgated by Governor Sir Arthur Richards.
• Formally divided Nigeria into three administrative regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern Regions, laying the structural foundation for regionalism.
• Established Regional Houses of Assembly, though it was heavily criticized by nationalists for lacking prior consultation.

3. Macpherson Constitution (1951)

• Promulgated by Governor Sir John Macpherson after extensive nationwide consultations from village to national levels.
• Established a central Council of Ministers and granted legislative powers to Regional Assemblies.
• Fostered the growth of major regional political parties: NCNC (National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe), AG (Action Group, led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the West), and NPC (Northern People's Congress, led by Sir Ahmadu Bello in the North).

4. Lyttelton Constitution (1954)

• Promulgated by Governor Sir Oliver Lyttelton following constitutional conferences in London (1953) and Lagos (1954).
• Established a true federal structure for Nigeria, formally separating central powers from regional powers.
• Created the executive office of Premier for each of the three regions.
• Made Lagos a Federal Territory separate from the Western Region and established autonomous civil services, judiciaries, and marketing boards for each region.

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Nationalist Leaders and Independence Day

The drive for Nigerian independence was spearheaded by visionary political leaders:

• Herbert Macaulay (1864–1946): Co-founded the NCNC in 1944; widely regarded as the Father of Nigerian Nationalism.
• Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe ('Zik of Africa', 1904–1996): Founder of the West African Pilot newspaper, leader of NCNC, Premier of the Eastern Region, and later Nigeria's first indigenous Governor-General and first President.
• Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987): Leader of the Action Group, Premier of the Western Region, introduced free primary education in 1955 and launched Africa's first television station (WNTV Ibadan) in 1959.
• Sir Ahmadu Bello (Sardauna of Sokoto, 1910–1966): Leader of the Northern People's Congress (NPC) and Premier of the Northern Region.
• Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1912–1966): Deputy leader of the NPC who became Nigeria's first and only Prime Minister in September 1957.
• Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900–1978): Foremost women's rights activist and leader of the Abeokuta Women's Union.

Independence: October 1, 1960

• On October 1, 1960, Nigeria achieved full sovereign independence from Great Britain.
• Sir James Robertson served as the final British Governor-General.
• Princess Alexandra of Kent represented Queen Elizabeth II at the formal handover ceremony at Racecourse (now Tafawa Balewa Square) in Lagos.
• At independence, Nigeria operated a Parliamentary System of Government with Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as executive Prime Minister and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as constitutional Governor-General (representing Queen Elizabeth II as titular Head of State until the 1963 Republican Constitution).