When was nigeria formed

Please contact us at contact globalcitizen. On Oct. With an estimated population of about million people , Nigeria today is the most populous Black nation on Earth and the seventh most populous country in the world. There is so much to learn about Nigeria, its people, and its cultures. Global Citizen celebrates the resilience and ingenuity of the Nigerian people on this historic and important day.

The land area known today as Nigeria was formed in when colonial authorities merged the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria, to form the amalgamated Protectorate and Colony of Nigeria.

This merger brought together over ethnic groups and tribes into what was then the largest British colony in the world. Nigeria gained independence from the British empire in , initially adopting a British style of government with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the first Nigerian head of government prime minister. The country then had a population of over 45 million people. On Jan. A succession of increasingly repressive military governments ruled Nigeria for 29 of the next 33 years, until the restoration of democracy in The Nigerian government declared war and after 30 months of fighting, Biafra surrendered.

Government troops clashed with demonstrators in Ibadan on April 15, , resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals. At least three individuals were killed in an explosion in Lagos on April 23, Opposition political parties were banned from participating in the legislative elections and called for a boycott of the legislative elections.

Moshood Abiola died in prison on July 7, The EU lifted economic sanctions travel ban against the Nigerian government on November 1, Elections for local councils were held on December 5, , and elections for state governors and assemblies were held on January 9, The CON sent 17 short-term observers to monitor the election process from November 30, to January 11, Nineteen individuals were killed in political violence in the Niger Delta region on February 1, The OAU sent 50 short-term observers from 18 countries headed by Ali Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania to monitor the legislative and presidential elections from February 18 to March 2, The CON sent 34 short-term observers from 23 countries headed by Ketumile Masire of Botswana to monitor the elections from February 12 to March 2, President Jimmy Carter and Mahamane Ousmane of Niger to jointly monitor the legislative and presidential elections from February 17 to March 1, The EU sent short-term observers to monitor the presidential election.

The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie OIF sent short-term observers to monitor the presidential election. General Abdulsalami Abubakar signed into law a new constitution on May 5, The CON lifted diplomatic sanctions suspension of membership against the Nigerian government on May 29, Olusegun Obasanjo was inaugurated as president on May 29, The CON lifted military sanctions arms embargo and economic sanctions travel embargo and freeze on foreign-held assets against the Nigerian government on November 1, Some individuals were killed in ethnic violence in Lagos on November 28, The state of Kaduna introduced Sharia in February Some individuals were killed, and some , individuals were displaced as a result of violence in the city of Kaduna in the state of Kaduna on February , More than 50 individuals were killed in religious violence in the town of Aba in southeastern Nigeria on February 28, The ICRC provided humanitarian assistance to individuals adversely affected by the violence in the state of Kaduna beginning on February 28, Government police arrested 40 supporters of an independent state of Biafra on April 19, Some individuals were killed as a result of religious violence in the state of Kaduna on May , Some 25 individuals were killed in violence in Bambam in the state of Gombe on September , Bariya Ibrahim Magazu was given a sentence of lashes for fornication by a Sharia court in the state of Zamfara in September Some individuals were killed and some 20, individuals were displaced as a result of violence in Lagos in October Some 1, individuals were killed as a result of violence in A reduced Sharia sentence of lashes against year old Bariya Ibrahim Magazu was carried out in the state of Zamfara on January 19, The government of Canada condemned the flogging on January 22, Government police arrested the leader of a Biafran secessionist movement, Ralph Uwazuruike, on February 8, Some individuals were killed, and some 50, individuals were displaced as a result of violence in the state of Nassarawa on June , Some 1, individuals were killed in violence in the state of Bauchi in July Some 1, individuals were killed in religious violence in Jos in the state of Plateau on September , President Olusegun Obasanjo deployed government troops to suppress the violence in Jos on September 8, Members of the Tiv ethnic group killed 19 government soldiers in the village of Zaki-Biam in the state of Benue on October , Some individuals were killed as a result of violence in Kano on October , Government troops killed some civilians, and some , were displaced as a result of the violence in the state of Benue on October , Eleven individuals were killed as a result of violence in the state of Kaduna state in northern Nigeria on November , Some 20 individuals were killed as a result of violence in the village of Dagwom Turu in the state of Plateau on December 30, Some , individuals were displaced as a result of violence in The U.

Some individuals were killed as a result of violence in Lagos on February , Government troops were deployed to suppress the violence in Lagos on February 5, The Nigerian government declared that certain aspects of Sharia were unconstitutional on March 22, The death sentence against Safiya Husaini for adultery was overturned by a Sharia appeals court on March 25, On April 20, , the U.

Muslim clerics in the state of Oyo introduced Sharia on May 1, , but the state government declared that it would not enforce Islamic law in the state.

Some 15 individuals were killed as a result of violence in Jos in the state of Plateau on May 2, Some individuals were killed as a result of violence in the town of Nembe in the state of Bayelsa on July , On August 3, , President Olusegun Obasanjo announced a postponement of local elections, which were scheduled for August 10, The Nigerian House of Representatives demanded the resignation of President Olusegun Obasanjo on August 13, , but the demand was rejected on August 14, Six individuals were killed as a result of violence in the village of Kassa on October 14, Eight individuals were killed as a result of violence in Jos on October , On November 13, , President Olusegun Obasanjo granted amnesty to 80 government soldiers who fought in the Biafran conflict on the side of the rebels between and Some individuals were killed in violence in Kaduna and Abuja on November , Some 4, individuals were displaced in Kaduna.

Some 25, Nigerians were refugees externally displaced in Six individuals were killed in political violence in the state of Benue on February 19, Some 64 individuals were killed in northeastern Nigeria on February , Fulani tribesmen attacked the village of Dumne on February 27, , resulting in the deaths of 50 individuals. President Olusegun Obasanjo was re-elected with 62 percent of the vote on April 19, The EU sent seven election experts, 38 long-term observers, and 62 short-term observers headed by Max van den Berg of the Netherlands to monitor the elections from March 11 to May 20, The NDI sent 50 short-term observers from 12 countries to monitor the legislative and presidential elections from April 7 to April 21, The CON sent fourteen observers and eight staff headed by Salim Ahmed Salim of Tanzania to monitor the presidential and legislative elections from April 8 to April 25, The IRI sent 55 short-term observers to monitor the legislative and presidential elections.

Some individuals were killed in ethnic violence in the town of Warri on August , Some 78 individuals were killed in religious violence in Yelwa on February 4, Some individuals were killed in religious violence in Yelwa on May , President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state-of-emergency in the state of Plateau on May 18, Crisis Phase January 24, present : Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta MEND militants attacked the offices of an oil company in Port Harcourt on January 24, , resulting in the deaths of seven government policemen and two civilians.

More than 30 Christians were killed during protests by Muslims in the state of Borno on February 18, At least 80 individuals, mostly Muslims, were killed in anti-Muslim riots in the town of Onitsha on February , MEND militants exploded a car bomb near a military barracks in Port Harcourt on April 19, , resulting in the deaths of two individuals.

MEND militants killed one individual, a U. Government troops clashed with MEND militants in the Niger Delta region on June 6, , resulting in the deaths of at least five government soldiers and one militant. Government troops clashed with MEND militants in the Niger Delta region on October 4, , resulting in the deaths of nine government soldiers.

Government police killed two protesters in Jos on October 13, Governor Ayo Fayose of the state of Ekiti was impeached on corruption charges by the state assembly on October 16, Some 13, Nigerians were refugees externally displaced in Gunmen killed 12 individuals, including four local chiefs, on a boat traveling to the village of Kula in the Niger Delta region on January 16, Gunmen killed two oil workers on a vessel near Bonny Island in the Niger Delta region on January 16, Elections for state governors and assemblies were held on April 14, Government troops clashed with Islamic militants in Kano on April , , resulting in the deaths of some 25 militants.

The CON sent eleven short-term observers led by Joseph Warioba on Tanzania to monitor the legislative and presidential elections from April 10 to April 27, The EU sent eleven election experts, 66 long-term observers, and 60 short-term observers from 23 countries led by Max van den Berg of the Netherlands to monitor the legislative and presidential elections.

The NDI sent 61 observers long-term and short-term from 16 countries to monitor the legislative and presidential elections from March 15 to April 23, The IRI sent 59 short-term observers to monitor the legislative and presidential elections.

At least individuals were killed in election-related violence. MEND militants attacked Chevron facilities in the state of Bayelsa on May 1, , resulting in the deaths of ten individuals. MEND militants declared a unilateral ceasefire on June 2, Government troops clashed with MEND militants on the Ogboinbiri oil platform in the Niger Delta region on June 21, , resulting in the deaths of 12 militants, two civilians, and one government soldier.

MEND militants ended their unilateral cessation of military hostilities on September 24, Government naval personnel clashed with MEND militants in the Niger Delta region on October 31, , resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals. Six individuals were killed in local election-related violence in the state of Kano on November 19, Some 14, Nigerians were refugees externally displaced in Government police clashed with Niger Delta militants in Port Harcourt on January 1, , resulting in the deaths of four government policemen, six militants, and three civilians.

MEND militants declared a unilateral ceasefire on June 24, MEND militants ended their unilateral ceasefire on July 12, MEND militants declared a unilateral ceasefire on September 21, Some individuals were killed and some 10, individuals were displaced as a result of religious violence in Jos in the state of Plateau on November , MEND militants ended their unilateral ceasefire on January 30, Four individuals were killed in religious violence in Bauchi in the state of Plateau on February 21, MEND militants declared a day ceasefire on July 15, Government troops clashed with Boko Haram militants in northeastern Nigeria on July , , resulting in the deaths of more than 1, individuals.

Government troops captured and killed Mohammed Yusuf, founder and leader of Boko Haram, in Maiduguri in the state of Borno on July 30, The Nigerian Government granted amnesty to Niger Delta militants who agreed to lay down their arms between August 6 and October 4, MEND militants ended their day ceasefire with the government on October 16, , but announced a unilateral ceasefire with the government on October 25, Government troops clashed with members of the Islamic sect Kala Kato in the state of Bauchi on December , , resulting in the deaths of at least 38 individuals.

Some individuals were killed and more than 20, individuals were displaced as a result of religious violence in Jos in the state of Plateau on January , MEND militants ended their unilateral ceasefire with the government on January 30, MEND militants bombed a Nigerian independence day parade in Abuja on October 1, , resulting in the deaths of twelve individuals. Boko Haram militants attacked a government police station in Maiduguri in the state of Borno on October 11, Boko Haram militants killed some 80 individuals in bombings in Jos in the state of Plateau on December 24, Six individuals were killed in attacks on churches in Maiduguri in the state of Borno on December 24, Boko Haram militants killed three government police officers and two civilians in Maiduguri in the state of Borno on December 29, At least four individuals were killed in a bombing in Abuja on December 31, Some 18 individuals were killed in religious violence in Jos in the state of Plateau on January , Another 13 individuals were killed in religious violence near Jos on January 11, Eleven individuals were killed in a stampede at a political rally in Port Harcourt on February 12, Three individuals were killed in a bombing at a political rally near Abuja on March 3, The Commonwealth of Nations CON sent 13 observers and ten staff members led by Festus Gontebanye Mogae of Botswana to monitor the legislative and presidential elections from March 25 to April 18, The EU sent nine election experts, 52 long-term observers, and 60 short-term observers from 29 countries led by Alojz Peterle of Slovenia to monitor the legislative and presidential elections from March 1 to May 21, The NDI sent 12 long-term observers and 52 short-term observers from 23 countries led by Joseph Clark from Canada to monitor the legislative and presidential elections from January to May 22, At least three individuals were killed in bombings in Maiduguri in the state of Borno on April 25, At least 16 individuals were killed in an attack on a predominantly Christian village in the state of Bauchi on May 7, Some individuals were killed, and some 65, individuals were displaced following the April elections.

Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as president on May 29, At least 14 individuals were killed in Boko Haram bombings near the Shadawanka military barracks in the state of Bauchi on May 29, Eight individuals were killed in a Boko Haram suicide bombing at the police headquarters in Abuja on June 16, Boko Haram militants attacked a police station and bank in the town of Kankara in the state of Katsina on June 20, , resulting in the deaths of seven individuals.

Boko Haram militants killed at least ten individuals in a series of attacks in Maiduguri in the state of Borno on July 3, Government troops killed eleven Boko Haram militants in Maiduguri in the state of Borno on July 9, Boko Haram militants killed three government policemen and one civilian in Maiduguri in the state of Borno on August 19, Slave trade was also well established along the West African coast. According to some estimates, there were 1,, slaves shipped out from the Bight of Benin between the years and , with over 1.

In truth, the abolition of slave trade offered the British the excuse they needed to intervene in the region. The promotion of their trading interests was an important reason for intervening along with pressure from the Christian missionaries in the region. In the Houses of Parliament in London enacted legislation prohibiting British subjects from participating in the slave trade.

However, the restriction was applied generally to all flags and was intended to shut down all traffic in slaves coming out of West African ports. This campaign to eradicate the slave trade and substitute for it trade in other commodities increasingly resulted in British intervention in the internal affairs of the Nigerian region. Direct British interference began in Lagos in when military power was used to unseat Kosoko, the reigning King, who had made no serious effort to end the ongoing slave trade in the region.

It was hoped that replacing Kosoko with Akitoye, a rival claimant to the throne, would bring an end to the slave trade, stabilize the region for the spread of 'legitimate' commerce for the expansion of British interests. On the 26th of December , with the endorsement of the influential Lord Palmerston, the British Foreign Secretary, a bombardment of Lagos was carried out and King Kosoko was forced to flee.

After the bombardment of Lagos, Kosoko was replaced by Akitoye. Unfortunately, over the next ten years Akitoye and his successor, Dosunmu Docemo were unable to bring the stability to the region that the British had hoped for, and, in , Lagos was annexed as a British colony under the direct political control of a British governor through the Treaty of Cession signed on 6 August.

From Lagos, the British made their way inland, slowly bringing the rest of Yorubaland under British rule — applying force when necessary. In the port cities of the Bight of Biafra, the promotion of anti-slavery and British trading interests was a key aspect of the British rhetoric that led to colonization.

Furthermore, in at the Berlin Conference, the European powers attempted to resolve their conflicts of interest by allotting areas of exploitation in Africa.

This led to the formation of the Oil Rivers Protectorate by Britain after the consul, Hewett, had traversed the entire coastal region from Calabar into the western delta convincing local rulers, through the power of his office, to sign treaties of protection. In the territory was redesignated the Niger Coast Protectorate and was expanded to include the region from Calabar to Lagos Colony and Protectorate, including the hinterland, and northward up the Niger River as far as Lokoja, the headquarters of the Royal Niger Company.

With the Niger delta and Calabar effectively under British control, all that was needed was to shore up interests on the navigable reaches of the Niger and Benue against encroachment by France and Germany. For this, they turned to adopted a different approach and turned to Sir George Goldie. Among the British trading companies, whose activities had far-reaching consequences for Nigeria, was the United Africa Company, founded by George Goldie in Under Goldie's direction, the Royal Niger Company was instrumental in depriving France and Germany of access to the region.

The Royal Niger Company established its headquarters far inland at Lokoja. From there, it pretended to assume responsibility for the administration of areas along the Niger and Benue rivers where it maintained depots.

The company interfered in the territory along the Niger and the Benue and negotiated treaties with Sokoto, Gwandu, and Nupe that were interpreted as guaranteeing exclusive access to trade in return for the payment of annual tribute.

Although treaties were signed with rulers as far north as Sokoto by , actual British control was confined to the coastal area and the immediate vicinity of Lokoja until The Royal Niger Company had access to the territory from Lokoja extending along the Niger and Benue rivers above their confluence, but there was no effective control, even after punitive expeditions against Bida and Ilorin in