Nigeria is the most populated black nation and the 7th most populated nation in the world. But apart from these widely known facts, what else do you know about Nigeria?
Nigeria has an interesting history and there is a lot to learn about the black nation that prides itself as the giant of Africa. But let’s start with these 7 historical facts about Nigeria you may not know:
Contents
1. Nigeria was formed through the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorate in 1914
Most of us claim to be Nigerians today, but do you know that as recent as 1913 Nigeria didn’t exist?
The area we call Nigeria today came to existence in 1914 when colonial rulers amalgamated the Southern and Northern Protectorates, to give birth to Nigeria.
The merger “united” more than 400 tribes and ethnic groups into what was then the British largest. The name “Nigeria” also came from colonial sources; Flora Shaw.
2. Altogether, the military has ruled Nigeria for 29 years since independence
Nigeria got independence on October 1st 1960. That was 61 years ago. However, out of those 61 years, the country has been ruled by the military a total of 29 years.
On the 15th of January 1966, a group of idealistic, young, UK-trained military majors took over Nigeria’s democratic government in Nigeria’s first military coup.
Of the 33 years that followed, 29 of it was spent under military rule. That eventually changed in 1999 when the country finally returned to democracy.
Some of the aftermath of the coup include:
- the Biafra secessionist movement;
- a group of young military officers were propelled to the top stage of Nigerian politics and they wield enormous influence within that space till today;
- corruption — the military passed a decree that every Nigeria’s natural resources should be controlled by the state, entrenching the do-or-die nature of politics seen in Nigeria till date;
- Previous military interference in politics means Nigerians now live with the (imagined or real) fear of a coup being a possible result of any political crisis.
- 6. A Nigerian became the first African to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature
- Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian writer, was named the winner the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986, making him the first African to receive the award.
- Being an activist, he was a voice for freedom, justice, and the end to tyranny. He risked his life several times to voice out the principles that laid the foundation for human rights, here in Nigeria and all over the world.
3. Nigeria got her independence from colonial rule in 1960
After years of colonialism, Nigeria became independent of the British empire in 1960. However, the initial system of government adopted was the British style of government headed by Abubakar Tafawa Balewa who was the first Nigerian Prime Minister (head of government). At the time, Nigeria’s population was about 45 million people.
4. The Nigerian civil war started in 1967
In 1967, after two coups and turmoil that resulted in the death of over a million Igbos (one of the most-populous ethnic groups in Nigeria, mainly from the Eastern part of the country), the Igbos seceded to form the Republic of Biafra.
The Nigerian government wasn’t having any of it so it waged war on the Biafran nation which went on for 30 months. The conflict officially ended on January 15 1970 after Biafra surrendered.
5. Nigeria went back to civilian rule in 1999
1999 was a defining moment in Nigerian history as it marked the transition of Nigeria to democratic government from military. Nigeria has not gone back to military rule again since then, making it the longest, uninterrupted democratic government since Independence in 1960.
The presidential election that produced Olusegun Obasanjo as the president held in February 1999, who had been the same head of state that oversaw the last transition from military rule 1976–79.
6. Nigeria’s oil boom started in the 1970s
Oil profitability went up to its highest in the 1970s, when Nigeria became the wealthiest country in Africa.
In two years, state revenue increased by about 50%, to its all-time high of N5.3 billion in 1976.
Nigeria had even more profits after joining the OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) in 1971. By the way, it is widely believed that oil discovery widely influenced the course of the civil war.
7. Nigeria won its first Olympic gold medal in 1996
Nigeria recorded its most successful Olympic outing in the 1996 Olympics, with the men’s national football team claiming Gold. Also, Chioma Ajunwa won a Gold medal in the women’s long jump category.
Nigeria won three bronze medals, one silver medal, and two Gold medals.
