History of Nigeria facts for kids

The history of Nigeria is a long story about ancient kingdoms, colorful cultures, brave people, and modern achievements. Nigeria is a large country located in West Africa. It is often called the "Giant of Africa" because it has the largest population on the entire African continent. People have lived in this land for many thousands of years. Long ago, skilled builders, artists, and farmers created great civilizations across its forests and grasslands. Some of the most famous early cultures include the Nok culture, the Ife Empire, the Kingdom of Nri, the Benin Kingdom, and the Oyo Empire. Traders traveled across wide deserts and along rivers to trade goods like cloth, food, and metal tools.

Over time, new ideas and religions spread into the region. Islam reached Nigeria from the north through travelers and traders connected to the Bornu Empire and the Hausa Kingdoms. Later, Christianity came to Nigeria along the southern ocean coast when sailors arrived from the Kingdom of Portugal. Eventually, the United Kingdom took control of the land and created a colony. British rule brought modern railways, schools, and new forms of government, but it also changed traditional ways of life.

Nigeria gained its independence on 1 October 1960. Since that day, the nation has grown through many challenges. It faced a difficult civil war, times of military government, and economic changes. In 1999, Nigeria became a peaceful, democratic federal republic. Today, Nigeria is famous around the world for its lively music, known as Nigerian music, its busy movie scene called Nollywood, and its growing technology companies. Its capital city is Abuja, where leaders work near the great stone mountain called Aso Rock.

Prehistoric Times in Ancient Nigeria

The story of Nigeria begins deep in the past, long before writing existed. Early human ancestors lived across West Africa during a prehistoric time called the Middle Pleistocene. These early people used stone handaxes and tools from the Acheulean culture to survive. They hunted wild animals, gathered edible plants, and lived in open savannahs and river valleys.

Thousands of years later, modern human groups began to migrate further south into the lush forests of West Africa. The climate changed many times, switching between very dry periods and wet, rainy periods. When the weather became wetter, deep green forests grew wide. People adapted to these changing environments by developing better stone tools, like tiny sharp blades called microliths. At a rock shelter called Iwo Eleru, scientists found ancient human remains and tools that show people lived there more than 13,000 years ago.

The Famous Dufuna Canoe

One of the most exciting archaeological discoveries in all of Africa took place in northeastern Nigeria. In Yobe State, diggers uncovered a buried wooden boat known as the Dufuna canoe. This boat is a dugout canoe carved from a single large tree trunk. Scientists tested the wood and found that it was made around 6300 BC.

The Dufuna canoe is the oldest known boat in Africa and one of the oldest in the world. It shows that ancient people living near rivers were skilled woodworkers and clever boatbuilders. They used waterways to travel, fish, and trade with other communities thousands of years ago. Over time, these hunter-gatherer communities learned to farm yams, oil palms, and grains, becoming settled farmers.

The Iron Age and Ancient Art

Around three thousand years ago, people in Nigeria made an amazing technological leap. They learned how to melt rock and create iron, a skill known as iron metallurgy. Iron tools made farming easier and helped people clear fields and build stronger homes.

Archaeologists found ancient iron smelting furnaces in places like Lejja and Opi, located in Igboland near Nsukka. These discoveries show that West Africans may have invented iron-making techniques on their own. Another important ancient town was Daima, located near Lake Chad in Borno State. People lived at Daima for more than 1,800 years, slowly changing from using bone tools to using metal tools.

The Nok Culture and Terracotta Figures

The Nok culture is one of the most famous ancient societies in African history. It flourished between 1500 BC and 1 BC in central Nigeria. The Nok people were wonderful artists who created stunning sculptures out of baked clay, known as terracotta.

These sculptures usually show human beings with detailed hairstyles, beaded necklaces, and expressive faces. Nok statues often have distinctive oval-shaped eyes with pierced pupils. Scholars believe these figures were made for important ceremonies or as part of a memorial tradition to honor ancestors. The Nok were also early ironworkers who built clay furnaces to melt iron ore.

Many historians believe that the artistic styles of the Nok influenced later cultures in Nigeria. Groups such as the Yoruba people, the Jukun, and the Bini people created metal and clay art that shares similarities with ancient Nok artwork.

The Bronze Treasures of Igbo-Ukwu

In southeastern Nigeria, another group of master artists lived at a place called Igbo-Ukwu around the 9th century AD. The smiths of Igbo-Ukwu were masters of metalworking. They used a sophisticated method called lost-wax casting to make intricate objects out of bronze and copper.

Archaeologists found bronze bowls shaped like shells, decorated vases, and ceremonial staffs. These objects are among the earliest examples of copper alloy metalwork in sub-Saharan Africa. The dig also uncovered thousands of colorful glass beads that came from distant places like Egypt. This proves that early Nigerian communities had wide trade connections across the continent.

Great Kingdoms and Empires Before 1500

Long before European travelers arrived, Nigeria was home to powerful kingdoms, bustling cities, and rich trading networks. Different groups organized their societies in unique ways, ranging from large empires with emperors to councils of elders.

The Hausa Kingdoms of the North

In northern Nigeria, the Hausa city-states began to grow during the 11th century. Towns like Kano, Katsina, and Zaria became busy trading hubs. Muslim merchants crossed the Sahara Desert, bringing goods like salt, books, and cloth to exchange for local products.

Trade was made easier through Islamic commercial practices, including credit agreements like mudaraba and written contracts. Scholars introduced Arabic numerals and writing. Hausa writers developed an alphabet called Ajami, which used Arabic script to write local languages. The Hausa recorded their long history in books like the Kano Chronicle, which traces the rulers of Kano back to ancient times.

The Kanem–Bornu Empire

Another powerful state in the north was the Kanem–Bornu Empire, located around the Lake Chad basin. The empire was ruled by a long-lasting royal family called the Sayfawa dynasty, which ruled for about a thousand years. Kings of this empire were known by the royal title Mai.

The empire grew very wealthy by controlling trade routes across the desert. A famous ruler named Idris Alauma introduced laws based on Islamic traditions, appointed judges, and built mosques out of durable fired bricks. Bornu became a widely respected center of learning, attracting scholars, students, and travelers from across North Africa and the Middle East.

The Rise of the Ife Empire

In southwestern Nigeria, the Ife Empire became a center of art, culture, and government. Its capital, Ile-Ife, is considered the spiritual home of the Yoruba people. According to Yoruba traditions, a great founding ancestor named Oduduwa was the first king of Ife.

Between 1200 and 1400, Ife experienced a golden age. The city featured stone-paved streets made of broken pottery pieces called potsherd pavements. Artists in Ife created beautiful sculptures of kings and queens using bronze, copper, and terracotta. Workers also made shiny glass beads that were traded across West Africa. Nearby, people built massive earth walls like Sungbo's Eredo in Ogun State to protect their communities.

The Oyo Empire and Benin

As time passed, the Oyo Empire grew to become the most powerful Yoruba state. Oyo was located in the open savanna grasslands. This landscape allowed Oyo to build a strong army of soldiers on horseback, known as cavalry. Oyo was ruled by a king called the Alaafin, whose power was balanced by a council of respected leaders called the Oyo Mesi.

Further to the south and east, the Kingdom of Benin flourished in the rainforest. The rulers of Benin, known as the Oba, lived in a massive royal palace surrounded by tall earth walls and gates. Benin artists cast exquisite brass and bronze sculptures, known today as the Benin Bronzes, to record royal history and decorate the royal court. Benin should not be confused with the modern neighboring country named Benin.

Igala, Bonny, and Warri

The Igala people established the powerful Igala Kingdom along the Niger River and Benue River, with its capital at Idah in modern Kogi State. The kingdom controlled important river trade and developed unique traditions of government.

Along the coastal waterways of the Niger Delta, the Kingdom of Bonny was founded by the Ijaw people. It grew into an important port for canoes and trade boats. Nearby, the Kingdom of Warri was established around 1480 by Prince Ginuwa I, a son of an Oba of Benin. Warri became an important home for the Itsekiri people and was one of the first kingdoms to trade with European visitors.

The Igbo Kingdoms and the Kingdom of Nri

In the southeast, the Igbo people built communities based on family ties, assemblies, and spiritual traditions. The Kingdom of Nri is considered the ancient heart of Igbo culture. The kingdom traced its origins to a revered leader named Eri.

The King of Nri, called the Eze Nri, was a religious and spiritual ruler rather than a military conqueror. Society was guided by moral rules, respect for the earth deity Ala, and strict peaceful traditions. Later, other influential Igbo groups arose, such as the Aro Confederacy, who built a wide trading network guided by the famous shrine of Ibini Ukpabi. Along the coast, the Efik people founded the busy port city of Calabar, also known as Akwa Akpa.

Early Contact with European Traders

European contact with Nigeria began in the late 15th century when sailors from the Portuguese Empire arrived along the coast. Portuguese merchants traded cloth, metal tools, and brass bracelets called manillas in exchange for ivory and palm oil.

Traders also took part in the transatlantic slave trade. This cruel system caused great suffering across the region. Many people were captured during conflicts and taken far away across the ocean to work on foreign plantations. Coastal ports like Badagry, Bonny Island, and Calabar became busy harbors for trading ships.

In 1807, the British Parliament passed a law ending Britain's role in the slave trade. The British Royal Navy created the West Africa Squadron to patrol the ocean and stop illegal slave ships. Rescued individuals were often taken to Freetown in Sierra Leone. With the slave trade outlawed, European traders became very interested in buying palm oil from Nigeria to use as machine grease and for making soap in European factories.

The Sokoto Caliphate

In northern Nigeria, a scholar named Usman dan Fodio started a movement to reform religious practices in 1804. He united many of the divided Hausa lands into a massive new state called the Sokoto Caliphate.

The Sokoto Caliphate became one of the largest and most organized states in Africa during the 19th century. Arabic was used for official government letters, and the empire stretched across northern and central Nigeria. The Caliphate was divided into provinces headed by local governors called emirs. Sokoto maintained large farms and a busy trade in leather, textiles, and agricultural goods.

The Road to British Colonial Rule

During the 19th century, Great Britain began to take direct control over parts of Nigeria. In 1851, British naval ships intervened in the royal politics of the coastal island of Lagos. In 1861, King Dosunmu signed a treaty handing Lagos over to the British Crown, creating the Crown Colony of Lagos.

British missionaries traveled inland to build churches and schools. One of the most famous figures of this era was Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a brilliant Nigerian scholar and translator who became the first African bishop of the Anglican Church. Another well-known missionary was Mary Slessor, who lived in Calabar and worked to protect the lives of newborn twin babies, who had previously been feared in local superstition.

The Royal Niger Company

British business leaders wanted to control the valuable trade along the great Niger River. In 1879, businessman George Goldie formed a large trading business that became known as the Royal Niger Company.

The British government gave this private company special permission to run territories and collect taxes. The company signed treaties with local chiefs, giving it a monopoly over trade. When local rulers, like King Jaja of Opobo, tried to sell palm oil directly to buyers, the British forced them into exile. In 1885, European powers met at the Berlin Conference and drew lines on maps to divide Africa among themselves, completely ignoring local ethnic boundaries and kingdoms.

The 1897 Benin Expedition

In 1897, British troops invaded the ancient Kingdom of Benin in a conflict known as the Benin Expedition of 1897. Vice-Consul Phillips had attempted to visit the Oba, but his party was ambushed. In response, a British military force captured Benin City.

During the fighting, the royal palace was burned. British forces took thousands of exquisite brass plaques and ivory carvings, known as the Benin Bronzes. These priceless treasures were taken to Europe and sold to museums and collectors. In modern times, many museums have started returning these historic artworks back to Nigeria.

The Unification and Colony of Nigeria

On 1 January 1900, the British government took direct control of the territories formerly run by the Royal Niger Company. The land was divided into the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria and the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria.

A British military officer named Sir Frederick Lugard was appointed High Commissioner of Northern Nigeria. Lugard used a system called indirect rule. Instead of replacing traditional emirs and chiefs, the British ruled through them. The emirs collected taxes and ran local courts, but they had to follow British policies.

The Amalgamation of 1914

On 1 January 1914, Sir Frederick Lugard united the Northern and Southern protectorates together with Lagos into a single country called the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. This historic event is called the amalgamation.

Lugard introduced a unified postal system, railways, and a common currency. Six prominent Nigerian leaders signed the historic agreement alongside Lugard:

• HRH Maiturare Sarkin Musulumi, the Sultan of Sokoto
• Usman Dan Maje, who later became the Emir of Kano
• Sir Kitoyi Ajasa, a respected lawyer from Lagos
• HRH Oladugbolu, the Alaafin of Oyo
• HRH Richard Henshaw, the Obong of Calabar
• Abubakar Shehu, representing Borno

Even though the country was united on paper, the north and south were still governed very differently. Southern Nigeria had more Western schools and Christian churches, while northern Nigeria preserved its traditional Islamic schools and legal systems.

The Railway Network and Modern Changes

To move goods like cocoa, palm oil, peanuts, and coal, the colonial government built an extensive railway network. The first line connected Lagos to Abeokuta in 1898. Later, a major deep-water port was built at Port Harcourt in the southeast, connecting the coal mines of Enugu to ships on the Atlantic Ocean.

In 1929, Igbo women in southeastern Nigeria organized a famous protest known as the Women's War. The women were upset about rumors of unfair new taxes and the abusive behavior of British-appointed Warrant Chiefs. Thousands of women marched, sang protest songs, and demanded reforms. The protest forced the British to eliminate the Warrant Chief system and respect traditional community councils.

World Wars and the Rise of Nationalism

During the 1920s and 1930s, educated Nigerians began calling for self-government. A surveyor and journalist named Herbert Macaulay founded Nigeria's first political party, the Nigerian National Democratic Party, in 1923. Macaulay used his newspaper to advocate for the rights of everyday people.

Later, younger leaders created the Nigerian Youth Movement in 1933. A brilliant journalist named Nnamdi Azikiwe joined the group and founded the popular newspaper, the West African Pilot. Azikiwe used his writing to inspire young Nigerians to believe in national unity and independence from foreign rule. Union leaders like Michael Imoudu organized railway workers to demand fair wages.

Nigerian Soldiers in World War II

During World War II, about 45,000 Nigerian soldiers served with the British forces. They fought bravely in places like Burma, Palestine, and Morocco.

In the East African campaign of 1941, the 23rd (Nigerian) Brigade fought against Italian forces in Somalia and Ethiopia. The Nigerian troops made an astonishing advance of 1,600 kilometers in just 32 days, helping to capture the city of Harar and free Addis Ababa.

Serving abroad opened the eyes of many Nigerian soldiers. They saw that all human beings are equal and wondered why they were fighting for freedom abroad while their own homeland was not free. When they returned home, they strongly supported the movement for complete self-rule.

Achieving Independence in 1960

After World War II, the British government realized it could no longer hold onto its vast empire. Between 1946 and 1954, several new constitutions gave Nigerians more say in running their country. The nation was organized into three large regions: the Northern Region, the Western Region, and the Eastern Region.

Each region was led by a different political party and prominent leader:

• The Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) was led by Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.
• The National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) was led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
• The Action Group (AG) was led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

In 1956, engineers discovered valuable crude oil at the Oloibiri Oilfield in the southern Niger Delta. This discovery would change Nigeria's economy forever.

Independence Day

On 1 October 1960, Nigeria proudly celebrated its complete independence from British rule. Huge crowds cheered in Lagos as the British flag was lowered and the new green-and-white Nigerian flag was raised.

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became the country's first prime minister, while Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe became the governor-general, and later the country's first president when Nigeria became a republic in 1963. Queen Elizabeth II ceased to be the head of state, and Nigeria took its seat as an independent nation at the United Nations.

The First Republic and the Civil War

The newly independent country faced big challenges. The three large regions competed for political power and national money. Elections held in 1964 and 1965 led to disputes, protests, and political instability in several parts of the nation.

In January 1966, a group of army officers led a military coup. Prime Minister Balewa and Premier Ahmadu Bello lost their lives. General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi took control of the government, abolished the regional system, and attempted to run Nigeria as a single unified state.

Six months later, in July 1966, another coup took place. General Aguiyi-Ironsi was overthrown, and Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Gowon became the new head of state. Gowon restored the federal system and divided Nigeria into 12 smaller states to give minority ethnic groups more representation.

The Biafran War (1967–1970)

Tensions between different groups grew worse, especially after violent attacks forced hundreds of thousands of Igbo people to flee from other areas back to their homes in the southeast. In May 1967, the military governor of the Eastern Region, Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, announced that the southeast was breaking away to form an independent nation called the Republic of Biafra.

This led to the painful Nigerian Civil War, which lasted for thirty difficult months. The federal government blockaded Biafra, cutting off supplies of food, fuel, and medicine. Severe food shortages led to great suffering among innocent families and young children. International charities and churches flew in emergency food supplies during dangerous nighttime airlifts.

The fighting finally ended in January 1970 when Biafran forces surrendered. General Gowon announced a policy of "no victor, no vanquished," welcoming the eastern citizens back into Nigeria and starting programs to rebuild homes, bridges, and schools.

Oil Boom and Military Rule

During the 1970s, Nigeria became a major global producer of petroleum and joined OPEC. When world oil prices jumped during the 1973 oil crisis, Nigeria earned vast sums of money. The government built wide highways, flyovers in Lagos, and modern universities.

However, rapid growth also caused economic problems like high inflation and crowded seaports. In July 1975, General Gowon was replaced in a peaceful military takeover by General Murtala Muhammed. Muhammed became a very popular leader because he tackled inefficiency and announced plans to move the national capital from crowded Lagos to a new, modern city named Abuja in the center of the country.

Tragically, General Muhammed was killed in an ambush during a failed coup in February 1976. His deputy, General Olusegun Obasanjo, took charge. Obasanjo faithfully completed Muhammed's plan to return the country to elected civilian leadership. In 1979, Obasanjo voluntarily stepped down and handed power to an elected president.

The Second Republic and General Buhari

In October 1979, Alhaji Shehu Shagari was inaugurated as the president of Nigeria's Second Republic. The new government adopted a presidential system modeled on the United States, featuring an elected president, a Senate, and a House of Representatives.

President Shagari encouraged a "Green Revolution" to boost agriculture and began construction on the giant Ajaokuta Steel Mill in Kogi State. The government also built thousands of new homes and expanded university education. However, when world oil prices dropped in the early 1980s, Nigeria faced economic difficulties.

On New Year's Eve in 1983, the military took control of the government once again. Major General Muhammadu Buhari became the new head of state. Buhari launched a nationwide campaign called the "War Against Indiscipline" to encourage punctuality, honesty, and clean streets. However, his government was replaced in August 1985 by General Ibrahim Babangida.

The Third Republic and General Abacha

General Babangida introduced economic recovery programs and promised to return the country to democracy. In December 1991, the federal capital was officially moved to Abuja, featuring modern buildings, wide streets, and the towering silhouette of Aso Rock.

On 12 June 1993, Nigerians voted in a historic presidential election. Observers considered it one of the fairest elections in Nigerian history. Businessman M. K. O. Abiola appeared to have won a decisive victory. However, Babangida surprisingly canceled the election results, sparking widespread protests across the country.

Babangida stepped down in August 1993, appointing Ernest Shonekan to lead an interim government. Just three months later, General Sani Abacha seized control of the country. Abacha ruled with a firm hand, shutting down newspapers and arresting political opponents, including Abiola and civil rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. Nigeria faced international criticism and was temporarily suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Fourth Republic and Modern Democracy

General Abacha died suddenly in June 1998. General Abdulsalami Abubakar took over and quickly organized free elections to bring back civilian democracy. Political prisoners were released, and a brand-new constitution was written.

In May 1999, retired general Olusegun Obasanjo was elected president as a civilian candidate for the People's Democratic Party. This marked the beginning of the Fourth Nigerian Republic, which has successfully preserved democratic governance ever since.

The Obasanjo Presidency (1999–2007)

President Obasanjo worked hard to rebuild Nigeria's international standing. He worked with South African President Thabo Mbeki and Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to create the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) to boost economic cooperation.

Obasanjo successfully paid off billions of dollars in foreign debt through agreements with the Paris Club. He also resolved a long-standing border disagreement with neighboring Cameroon over the Bakassi peninsula, following a peaceful ruling by the International Court of Justice. In 2007, Obasanjo respected the constitution and stepped down after his two terms ended.

Presidencies of Yar'Adua and Jonathan

In 2007, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was elected president in the first peaceful transfer of power from one civilian leader to another in Nigerian history. Yar'Adua offered an amnesty program to armed groups in the Niger Delta, bringing peace to the oil-producing coastal areas.

When Yar'Adua passed away due to illness in 2010, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan took the oath of office as president. Jonathan won presidential elections in 2011. During his presidency, Nigeria's economy grew to become the largest on the African continent.

In 2014, Nigeria achieved a major public health victory by stopping an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in Lagos within weeks through quick medical contact tracing. However, the nation also faced security challenges from an insurgent group called Boko Haram, which carried out attacks in northeastern Nigeria.

The Buhari Presidency (2015–2023)

In the March 2015 election, former leader Muhammadu Buhari was democratically elected president. This historic election marked the first time in Nigerian history that an incumbent president peacefully handed over power to an opposition leader. Buhari was re-elected in 2019.

The Buhari administration focused heavily on building modern infrastructure. Working with companies like the CCECC, the government built brand-new standard-gauge rail lines, including the fast railway connecting Lagos to Ibadan. Engineers also completed the magnificent Second Niger bridge across the Niger River near Onitsha, along with the deep-sea port at Lekki. Nigeria became one of the few countries actively building and expanding its national railway routes every year.

The Tinubu Presidency

In February 2023, former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu won the presidential election. He was sworn into office on 29 May 2023.

President Tinubu introduced major economic changes, including ending costly government fuel subsidies and unifying currency exchange rates. While these changes aimed to improve government finances, they also led to higher living costs for many families. Nigerian citizens and leaders continue to work together to improve economic security, lower food prices, and create jobs for the country's huge population of young people.

Culture, Music, and Technology

Today, Nigeria is famous all around the globe for its lively culture, literature, and art. Famous Nigerian writers have won top global prizes, including Wole Soyinka, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature.

The Nigerian film industry, known as Nollywood, produces thousands of movies each year. It is one of the largest film industries in the world, telling stories that entertain millions of viewers across Africa and around the globe.

In music, Nigerian artists created the worldwide sensation known as Afrobeats. Musicians sell out major concert arenas in London, New York, and Paris, sharing Nigerian rhythms, dance steps, and fashion with the world.

Nigeria has also become a leading center for computer technology in Africa. Cities like Lagos are called the "Silicon Lagoon" because of their many creative software companies. Nigeria is home to several tech "unicorns"—technology start-up companies valued at over one billion dollars. From ancient terracotta sculptors to modern software developers, the people of Nigeria continue to contribute their creativity, hard work, and energy to the world.

See Also

In Spanish: Historia de Nigeria para niños

• History of Africa
• History of West Africa
• Nok culture
• Kingdom of Benin
• Oyo Empire
• Sokoto Caliphate
• List of heads of state of Nigeria
• National Archives of Nigeria

Images for kids

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  Reconstructed palace of the Alaafin of Oyo.

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  Historic map of the Niger area in 1880.

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  Map of Nigeria when the regions were united in 1914.

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  Map showing how regions changed over time.

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  Chart showing early political movements in Nigeria.

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  Timeline of Nigerian leadership after 1958.

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  Historical vehicle preserved from the 1970s.

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  Olusegun Obasanjo during his time as head of state in 1978.

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  Nigerian soldiers during World War II training.

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  Map of troop movements during the East African campaign.

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  A historic bronze head created in the Kingdom of Benin.

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  General Ibrahim Babangida.