01/10/2026
THE NIGERIA AMALGAMATION; THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE
From M.S.A History Department -
Director: Oluwamomi S.A.
-
*INTRODUCTION*
Nigeria, the giant of Africa, did not become one country by accident. It was a journey of over 60 years β from separate empires to amalgamation, from colonization to independence on *October 1st, 1960*. Today, *October 1st 2026, we celebrate 66 years!*
*1. BEFORE AMALGAMATION*
Before 1914, what we now call Nigeria was made of different kingdoms, empires and protectorates:
- The Sokoto Caliphate in the North
- The Kanem-Bornu Empire
- The Oyo, Benin and Igbo Kingdoms in the South
- The British controlled Lagos Colony (annexed 1861) and the Northern and Southern Protectorates.
*2. THE AMALGAMATION OF 1914*
On *January 1st, 1914*, Lord Frederick Lugard, the British Governor-General, merged the *Northern Protectorate and Southern Protectorate* into one country called Nigeria.
_Reasons for Amalgamation:_
- To use the surplus money from the South to run the poor North
- For easier administration and control
- To build one railway system and unified economy
Lugard's wife, *Flora Shaw*, had earlier suggested the name "Nigeria" from "Niger Area" in 1897.
*3. THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE (1914 - 1960)*
*a) Indirect Rule & Nationalist Awakening (1914-1940s):*
Nigerians began to demand rights. Early nationalists like *Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello* formed movements. Newspapers, trade unions, and youth movements like N.Y.M and N.C.N.C exposed colonial injustice.
*b) Constitutional Reforms:*
The British introduced constitutions to gradually give Nigerians power:
- *Clifford Constitution (1922)* - Allowed few elected Africans
- *Richards Constitution (1946)* - Divided Nigeria into 3 regions
- *Macpherson Constitution (1951)* - More Nigerians in government
- *Lyttleton Constitution (1954)* -