IRS 105: History of Nigeria

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

1. trace the history of Nigeria from 100bc;
2. state how the initial settlers were traders from the middle east and parts of Africa;
3. state how the name Nigeria was derived;
4. explain the creation of the colony of Lagos, and the northern protectorate and the southern protectorate by the British; and
5. outline the series of constitutional development that led to the granting of independence in 1960.

Course Contents

The history of Nigeria from 1100 BC, settlement of traders from the Middle East and parts of Africa in the area now known as Nigeria. Naming of Nigeria by Flora Shaw, who coined the name from River Niger. The discovery of the territory by Portuguese researchers in 1472 while seeking a sea route to Asia. The creation of the colony of Lagos, the Northern Protectorate, and the Southern Protectorate by the British in the 19th Century. Insight into the full-fledged colonisation of Nigeria from the year 1900, the amalgamation of the colony of Lagos and the two protectorates into one indivisible country in 1914. The road to independence in 1960 proceeded by series of constitutional development.