Colonial Economy In Nigeria

• Social Studies students must understand the interconnectedness of past events, political relationships, economic shifts, key political figures, and military involvement in politics to understand humans in their environment.
• Colonial rule in Nigeria began in 1900 with economic exploitation as the primary goal, structuring the economy to benefit British industries by providing raw materials and a market for manufactured goods.
• This led to unbalanced economic growth, with railway construction prioritizing cash crop exports like groundnuts, cocoa, cotton, and palm products over food crop production.
• European companies, such as U.A.C., controlled mining and repatriated profits to Europe, hindering industrial development and creating economic dependence that persisted after independence.
• The colonial economy featured peasant-based agriculture for export crops, labor-intensive extraction of resources, commerce focused on importing manufactured goods and exporting raw materials, and services mainly related to law, order, and infrastructure.
• Nationalist movement arose in response to the exploitative nature of the British colonial administration.
• The study of Nigerian history focuses on administrative changes and critical issues, emphasizing the relationships among Nigerians and their approach to coexistence.
• Nigeria's origin as a political entity dates back over 1400 years, with a geographical division into the populous Northern, Western, and Eastern regions.
• Nigeria became an independent dominion within the British Commonwealth on October 1, 1960, and adopted a Republican Constitution in 1963.
• The amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates under Sir Frederick Lugard in 1914 formally created Nigeria.
• The name "Nigeria" was suggested in 1898 by British lady Mary Flora Shaw, who later married Lugard. Before this, the area was known as 'The Niger-Area'.
• Nigeria includes diverse ethnic groups with varying religions, occupations, cultures, and socio-economic lives.
• Prominent ethnic groups include the Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Efik, Ijaw, Tiv, Bini, and Kanuri, each with unique religions, cultures, and beliefs.
• The Hausa primarily reside in the North, the Yoruba in the West, and the Igbo in the East, while the Nupe, Tiv, and Igala occupy the middle part of Nigeria.
• Hausas are mainly cattle rearers and crop cultivators, Yorubas engage in diverse agricultural activities due to fertile land and higher rainfall, and Ibos are known for their trading skills.
• Despite differences, Nigerian ethnic groups generally coexist peacefully, maintaining distinct political entities with checks and balances.
• An example of checks and balances is the political structure of the old Oyo Empire, which was divided among the Alaafin, the Oyo-Mesi, and the Ogboni cult.

Southern Nigerian Peoples and Their Culture in Pre-Colonial Times:

• Southern Nigeria is home to several major ethnic groups, including the Yoruba, Bini, Igbo, Itsekiri, Urhobo, and Ijaw, whose cultures provide valuable insights into Nigeria's pre-colonial history.

The Yoruba:

• The Yoruba are a major ethnic group in Southern Nigeria, with a significant presence globally, particularly in the Western and Central States of Nigeria.
• They practice Islam, Christianity, and traditional religions, with many still adhering to traditional beliefs.

Origins of the Yoruba:

• The origins of the Yoruba people are debated, with various versions passed down through generations.
• Rev. Samuel Johnson's Version:
  • Johnson's book, History of the Yoruba, suggests the Yoruba originated from the "East," specifically the North-Eastern area of Africa, citing cultural similarities with the Egyptians.
  • After a long journey from Egypt, the Yoruba settled in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, under the leadership of Oduduwa, who sent his descendants to establish other Yoruba kingdoms.

Oke Oramfe's Version:

• Oke Oramfe in Ile-Ife is considered the center from which the world was created in Yoruba mythology.
• The legend states that after the world was covered in water, God sent messengers, led by Obatala, who was later usurped by Oduduwa due to intoxication.
• Oduduwa used five pieces of iron, earth, and a cockerel to create land at Oke Oramfe, becoming the ruler and extending his authority to other Yoruba towns and villages.

Socio-Political Organization of the Yoruba:

• Oyo emerged as the major kingdom and eventually an empire in Yorubaland, founded by Oranmiyan, also credited with establishing the Benin monarchy.
• Oyo Empire Government:
  • Oyo Empire had built-in checks and balances, contributing to its stability.
  • The Alaafin was the head of the empire, residing in the capital and considered the "Lord of many lands," assisted by priests, officials, and eunuchs.
  • The Alaafin's powers were limited by the Oyomesi, a council of seven members headed by the Bashorun, who acted as the prime minister and had the power to select or depose the Alaafin.
  • Apart from the Alaafin's cabinet, the Oyomesi cult served as another arm of government, playing a mediatory role between the Oyomesi and the Alaafin.

Army and Provincial Governments:

• The army, led by the Are-Ona-Kankanfo, was responsible for maintaining stability, expanding the empire, and controlling territories.
• Oyo Empire had provincial governments managed by princes, minor kings, and baales, all subject to the Alaafin's authority, with the Alaafin's agents, Ilari, monitoring the provinces.

The Bini Empire:

• The Bini played significant roles in Nigerian history, being among the first visited by Europeans, starting in 1472 A.D.
• The Bini kingdom exchanged ambassadors with Portugal between 1481 and 1504, marking it the first in West Africa to do so.

Origins of Benin Kingdom:

Egharevba's Version:

• Claims the Bini people migrated from Egypt, settling at Ile-Ife then arriving at their present location

Igbafe's Version:

• This version says the Bini people have always lived in the area. Bini mythology states that Bini was the youngest child of Osanobua who made him the first ruler of the land when he used a snail shell to create land out of water.

Ogiso's Version:

• The Ogiso era marks the first period of pre-colonial Bini history, with rulers known as Ogisos.
• The first Ogiso was Igbodo, succeeded by Ere who created the guild system. The last Ogiso, Owodo, clashed with nobles, leading to his son Ekaladeran's banishment.
• Ekaladeran founded Ughoton and later moved to Ife, where he spent his life. Due to a political crisis, the nobles requested his return, but he sent his son Oranmiyan, leading to the Eweka dynasty.
• The end of the Ogiso dynasty led to an interregnum. The elders created a republican government led by Evian, who tried to usurp the throne. The people rejected because Evian was not an Ogiso
• The elders requested the Ooni of Ife send a ruler. Oranmiyan was sent but found the people ungovernable so he left.
• Before Oranmiyan left, he had an affair with a Bini woman who gave birth to Eweka I, who is credited with establishing the present Bini dynasty.
• Some Bini elites say Oranmiyan was the son of Ekaladeran, who had been banished and settled in Ile-Ife, and subsequently became the ruler, Oduduwa.
• Overall this version argues that the monarchy is indigenous to the Bini because Oranmiyan was the son of a Benin prince, and his son, Eweka I, was conceived, born and brought up in Benin.

Socio-Political Organization of the Bini:

• The Bini had a well-organized socio-political structure.
• Oba was the head of the kingdom, succeeding through primogeniture, and was the civil and religious head of state.
• Bini society was divided into the nobility (Adesotu) and the commoner (Ighiotu).
• The nobility included the Uzama, the Eghaevbo n' Ogbe (palace chiefs), and the Eghaevbo n' ore (town chiefs).
• Ordinary people were organized into professional guilds such as carvers, brass-workers, blacksmiths, doctors, and butchers, each with its own administration.

The Igbo People:

• The Igbo are known for their decentralized, segmentary way of life, lacking centralized states.
• The Igbo are grouped into five sub-cultures - Igbo of eastern, South-eastern, North-eastern, Western, and Northern Nigeria.
• Igbos are predominantly farmers ad traders. They share a common political system based on decentralization of power and delegation of authority exercised by the holders of the staff of authority, the Ofo.

Origins of the Igbo:

• Are hard to determine but there are many versions.
• Middle East Version says the Igbo people migrated to their present location from either the North or the Middle-east.
• Igboland Centred Version says the Igbo people have been in their present abode from the beginning.
• The Nri Version is regarded as the only authentic version of origin in existence in the oral tradition of the Igbo. According to Nri version, the ancestor of the Igbo, Eri, descended from the sky and sailed down the River Anambra. When he arrived at Aguleri, he met some autochthonous group of people who had no living memory of their own and settled with them. As their population increased, some groups migrated to other parts of Igboland to establish their own settlements.
• Awka/Orlu Version says these towns are the center of origin of the Igbo and from where they dispersed to other areas
• Idah Version states that some groups claim to have migrated to their present location from Idah.
• Benin Version says the Onitsha and the Igbo claim Benin origin.
• The Israeli Version. This assumption is based on the so-called similarities between the cultures of the Igbo and the ancient Hebrew. Some Igbo scholars consider themselves as off-shoots of the lost tribes of the Hebrews who migrated southward.

Socio-Political Organization of the Igbo:

• Igbos did not build any strong centralized states because Igbo society had always been fragmentary/acephalous.
• The village was the centre of government in traditional Igbo society and as such it has been described as direct democracy. That every linkage for instance, including all male adults in the village, participated in its political process.

Amala Oha:

• The socio-political organization of the traditional Igbo was based on the age grades or age and titled societies. Amala Oha was therefore a form of general assembly in traditional Igbo society.
• All the male adult members usually met in this assembly to perform legislative functions in the open village square. All the decisions taken during those meetings were absolute and final.
• The life of every individual was highly respected, and recognition was based on individual capability and age rather than family background.
• Elders formed the core of village administration. Hardworking and wealthy individuals were respected and given important responsibilities in the society as well. The youth, middle age or able bodied men and elders constituted age-sets or age groups.
• Each age-set had its own special rights, duties, obligations and responsibilities in matters affecting the village.

Itsekiri:

• Origins of the Itsekiri People says that the kingdom of Itsekiri was established through Iginuwa, the son of Oba Olua of Benin in about 1473.
• Iginuwa wrongly advised his Father (Oba Olua) on a particular issue and so the kingdom was established for him.
• Iginuwa was sent with some chiefs and servants to an area by the sea to establish a kingdom of his own. On his arrival, Iginuwa met with some ljaws who took him along with his followers by canoe to an Island where they finally settled. To most of the Itsekiri, this settlement is known as Itsekiri Kingdom till today.
• This is the main account for the Origin of the Itsekiri as they do not have many other versions.

Socio-Political Organization of the Itsekiri People:

• The Itsekiri Kingdom was made up of the Itsekiri, Ijaw and other elements. Ode Itsekiri is the capital. Other settlements such as the Forcados, Escravos and Benin Rivers surround the capital.
• The socio-political organization of the Itsekiri people was very close to that of Benin Kingdom.
• The Kingdom was ruled rather by the Olu who presided over a council known as Ojoye which was made up of seven nobles or title holders. The Olu combined in himself spiritual and temporal powers.

Urhobo:

Origin of the Urhobo People:

• Ughelli, Aghara and Ogo Version says the Urhobo people originated from the ljaw.
• Uwherun, Abraka, Agbon, Oogun and Olomu Version states that that the Urhobo people are the product of the Benin immigrants.

Socio-Political Organization of the Urhobo People:

• Just like the Itsekiri, the Urhobo people are found in the Niger Delta region.
• Each Urhobo Village had its own traditional institution headed by a ruler (Ovie).
• The socio-political organization of the Urhobo people was modelled after that of Benin Kingdom. The Ovie had a court made of prominent individuals and titleholders.
• Just like in Igboland, the adult male members of the Urhobo society were divided into age sets corresponding with youth, middle age and elders. Each of the age sets performed specific duties in the societies.

Ijaw:

• Origin of the Ijaw People: The ljaw share almost the same stories of origin with their Itsekiri and Urhobo counterparts.
• Socio-Political Organization of the Ijaw People:
• The traditional ljaw did not develop any centralized system of government because they were scattered in small fishing settlements in the creeks of the River Niger.
• The "House System" characterized Ijaw societies. Bonny, Kalabari, Ibrika, Opobo and Brass-Nembe were the traditional major ljaw states were Ijaw people were traders especially fishermen

Northern Nigerian Peoples and Their Culture in Pre-Colonial Times:

• Consists of major ethnic groups such as the Hausa, the Kanem-Bornu, the Nupe, the Igala, the Jukun and the TIV

Hausa/Fulani People

• The Hausa people represent one of the important and politically dominant groups in Northern Nigeria. By the year 2000, the Hausa population was estimated at about twenty million.
• They are also one of the largest linguistic groups in the whole of Africa.

Origins of the Hausa

• Origin cannot be be determined for certain.
• The Bayajida Version states that he is the founder of the Hausa states and came from Baghdad to Kanem-Bornu and thence to Hausa land.
• Bayajida married the daughter of the Mai of Bornu and had a son at Biran. While in Daura, Bayajida killed a snake, which had for a long time prevented the people from taking water from a well. The queen of Daura was very impressed and decided to marry him. They later had a son named Bawo.
• Bawo had six (6) children who, together with Bayajida's other son at Biran, are believed to have founded the original seven Hausa states referred to as the "Hausa Bokwoi."

Socio-Political Organization of the Hausa:

• The Sarki has always been known as the head of any typical Hausa state. It is very well organised working with retinue of officials in a well-organized court.
• Sarkin Kasar, which means "ruler of the land", was the full title given to any effective and efficient head of Hausa State.
• The Sarkin Kasar combined both political and religious/spiritual functions. He was also the chief executive and judge of the State, but he was aided by a council of state.
• At the district level, the government was modeled after that at the national level. You should also know that between 14th and 15th centuries, the socio-political organization of Hausa States took another shape
• Islam was adopted and this gave birth to many new political institutions such as the offices of the Galadima, Madawaki, Magaji, Dogari, Yari Sarki and Sarki Yau.
• The Islamization of Hausaland also influenced its judicial system. The Sharia law started taking. Some new titles such as Alkali and Qadi's (judges) became commonplace in the administration of justice.

Kanem-Bornu People

• Kanuri is the language that unites all the Kanem-Bornu people.
• Origin of the Kanem-Bornu People. Kanem-Bornu ethic group also has many versions of its origin. But all these versions are not certain and have been exaggerated.

Versions of Origins of Kanem-Bornu People:

• The SO Version says that the So people were the first settlers in Kanem Bornu. They had developed a sophisticated socio political culture based on agriculture and the knowledge and use of iron technology long before the Zaghawa who later invaded the land.

The Saif b. Dhiyazan Version:

• Attributes the foundation of Kanem-Bornu to the great Arab hero, Saif b. Dhiyazan around the 9th and 10th centuries A.D
• Yazan is credited to have established the now famous Saifawa dynasty who was one of the longest ruling dynasties in the pre colonial West African Sub-region.

Socio-Political Organization of the Kanem-Bornu

• The nucleus of this political organisation was based on kinship.
• For instance, the Mai (king) was the highest authority in the political structure. His mother i.e. the Queen Mother or Magira was a very important and respected personage in the Kanem political structure as well. The King's sister was also very important and assisted him in the day-to-day administration of Kanem.

Organization Structure of the Kanem People

• Besides the kinship oriented political system, there was an imperial state council known as the council of the twelve, or the "Nokena" whose job was to offer the king useful advice
• The Maini Kanendi was the chief judge of the State and the Mai's legal adviser as well.
• The army played a vital role in the administration and was very professional. It was divided strategically it into two divisions: a home division and a bush garrison.
• The titled nobility exercised tremendous influence in the state and were assigned fiefdoms to administer. The examples of these were Galadima, Kaigama, Yerima and Meshema
• The servile was made of slaves and eunuchs and held offices like "Mushemu", "Yuroma" and Kachella".

The Nupe:

• Just like the Hausa/Fulani, the early history of the Nupe people is not much known. But it is important to note that the pre-colonial Nupe people and state developed in the region of the Niger and Benue valleys of the Nigerian Middle Belt
• The Nupe state was located on the north bank of the Niger at its confluence with the River Kaduna. Nupeland was located at the cross roads of trade from Borno to Kano axis in the Northeast, as well as Yorubaland, Ganga and Benin in the Southwest.
• Gbara was its capital and an important trading center connecting Benin and Oyo trade with Nupe while located on the bank of the Kaduna River.

Origins of the Nupe People:

• As with any other ethnic group in Nigeria, the Nupe people also have various versions of origin.
• The Nupe-Centred Version says that the early Nupe people originated where they presently occupy.
• The Egyptian Version says that the first peoples of.