The Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria existed for 46 years between 1914 and 1960. It was created through the joining of the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and the Northern Nigeria Protectorate.
Introduction
In 1960, the country gained independence from British rule. However, the colonial rulers left Nigeria with some effects which became noticeable after independence. Today’s lesson focuses on some of the advantages and disadvantages of colonial rule in Nigeria.
Some advantages show in the inter-group relations, that is, the social, economic, and political relations through measures such as road, rail, and port development.
Some led to the expansion of different urban centres and commerce in the country. The colonial rule expanded Nigeria’s economic relations with the rest of the world.
Colonialism in Nigeria resulted in both positive and negative impacts. Those who did not support colonialism argue that the negative impacts are more than the positive ones, while proponents argue otherwise. Some of the positive impacts are listed below.
Positive Effects of the British Colonial Rule
Improved health care
Before the coming of the British into Nigeria, the country experienced significantly high infant mortality rates. These were attributable to underdeveloped healthcare systems. At the time, some of the sicknesses could not be identified, making it difficult to come up with a cure.
When the British came, the situation improved through improved literacy and knowledge. Infant mortality was reduced since citizens could identify the causes of certain diseases as well as their cures. This happened during colonial rule.
Introduction of money currencies
In pre-colonial Nigeria, the commonest form of doing business was trading by the batter. This involved the exchange of goods for other goods, a system which had many difficulties.
The colonialists then introduced money currencies, making it easier for people to trade and do their business. In 1912, the British introduced the first silver coins in the country. Around the same time, the West African Currency Board was created.
Besides the money currency, the British also introduced the banking system in Nigeria, further simplifying trade in the country.
Infrastructural development
Like many other African countries, the colonial masters introduced numerous infrastructural developments in Nigeria. These included electricity networks, rail lines, seaports, bridges, and roads.
While most of the original colonial-era projects no longer exist, they formed the basis upon which the country’s modern-day projects are based.
People in pre-colonial Nigeria relied on traditional modes of transport such as walking on foot and the use of animals.
The infrastructural changes significantly changed citizens’ lives, making it easier and faster for people to move from one point to another.
Improved literacy
Literacy is one of the most significant benefits of colonial rule in African countries, Nigeria included. When the colonialists came to the country, they taught the natives how to speak, read, and write in English.
With the improved literacy levels, the natives pursued numerous opportunities that involved communicating with other English speakers.
The literacy benefits continued to be felt in modern-day Nigeria. It is no surprise that the country’s education system is still largely based on what was introduced during the colonial era.
Negative Effects of the British Colonial Rule
There were also, despite the numerous positive impacts of colonisation in Nigeria, several negative effects.
They include: resource exploitation, colonialism also brought economic, infrastructural, and technological development to Nigeria, with no exploitation.
The basic idea behind colonisation had a dependency on it. The British took the country’s resources, land and minerals, inc leaving the natives dependent on them to generate funds. In addition.
The British government ensured that the natives did not get positions in the running of big industries, leaving them dependent on colonial masters.
Loss of culture and identity
When the colonialists took over the country’s rule during the colonial era, the natives suffered serious cultural and identity loss.
The life of Nigerians. This led to the natives abandoning some of their customs and culture in favour of those brought by the colonisers.
For most natives, though, the acceptance of the new way of life was more out of fear of the colonialists than a belief in their way of life.
Focus
Eventually, after 46 years of Nigerian colonisation, the natives lost significant parts of their cultural identity, which were never fully regained even after the country attained independence from colonial rule.
This is one of the main subjects in Chinua Achebe’s highly acclaimed book, Things Fall Apart. The British viewed the local culture as inferior and disregarded everything the Africans believed in.
This resulted in the colonialists changing everything they deemed unsuitable. Natives, music, dress codes, education systems, naming, and religions were replaced by those the British considered to be ‘right.’
Nigerian Civil War
On May 30, 1967, Ojukwu declared the breakaway of the three states of the Eastern region under the name of the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria, an action which the federal government interpreted as an act of rebellion.
Fighting broke out in early July and within weeks had spread into a full-scale civil war. In August, Biafran troops crossed the Niger, seized Benin City, and were on their way to Lagos before they were checked at Ore, a small town in the Western state(now Ondo state).
Focus 1
Shortly thereafter, federal troops entered Enugu, the provisional capital of Biafra, and penetrated the Igbo heartland.
The next two years were marked by stiff resistance in the Biafran region. This led to the death of many people, civilians and soldiers.
Peacemaking attempts by the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) remained ineffective.
Focus 2
Biafra began getting recognition from some African states and securing aid from international organisations because of severe starvation in the region.
The final Biafran collapse began on December 24, 1969, when federal troops launched a heavy attack against Biafra at a time when they did not have enough ammunition.
Its people were desperate for food, and its leaders controlled only one-sixth of the territory that had formed the Biafran Republic in 1967.
Ojukwu fled to the Congo on January 11, 1970, and the Biafran delegation formally surrendered to the federal government of Nigeria in Lagos four days later.
Focus 3
General Gowon was able to reconcile the two sides so that the former Biafran states were accepted back into the country and were not blamed for the war.
The oil boom that followed the war allowed the federal government to finance development programs and consolidate its power. In 1974, Gowon postponed until 1976 the target date for a return to civilian rule, but he was overthrown in July 97 5, and he fled to Great Britain.
The new head of state, Brig. Gen. Murtala Ramat Mohammed started many changes during his short time in office.
Focus 4
He began the process of moving the federal capital to Abuja, addressed the issue of government inefficiency, and most importantly, initiated the process for a return to civilian rule.
He was assassinated in February 1976 during an unsuccessful coup attempt, and his top aide, Lt Gen.Olusegun Obasanjo, became head of the government.
Conclusion
Before the entry of the British into the country, the citizens enjoyed what can be described as a prevailing sense of harmony. However, when the country was overrun in the name of colonialism, it marked the beginning of conflict and war.
These conflicts were largely caused by the colonisers. The colonial rule, therefore, disrupted the country’s peace for quite some time.
Also, looking at the current Nigerian situation, it is clear that some of the advantages of colonial rule have been destroyed because of poor leadership.
Nearly all the sectors of Nigeria’s society have fallen apart, such as security, economy, education, agriculture, and so on.
This calls for serious prayer for good leaders to rule Nigeria so that Nigeria’s glory can be restored. Praying for your country is an aspect of nation-building. You can read more similar posts on our research page of the site.
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