Back to: History Primary 5
Hello, my brilliant Afrilearn champion! I hope you’re having a fantastic day. Today, we are going to learn about something very important—the birth of Nigeria as one united country. Have you ever wondered how Nigeria became one big nation instead of separate regions? Well, it all started in 1914, when Northern and Southern Nigeria were joined together. Let’s find out how and why this happened!
1914 – Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria Were Amalgamated to Form Nigeria
Imagine you have two different school classes—one with very serious students and another with playful students. Then, one day, the headmaster decides to merge both classes into one. Some students might like it, while others may struggle to get along. This is similar to what happened in 1914, when the British decided to join Northern and Southern Nigeria together.
Before this time, Nigeria was divided into two separate regions—Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria—each ruled separately by the British. But the British wanted to make governing easier and cheaper, so they decided to merge them into one big colony. The man behind this decision was Lord Frederick Lugard, the British governor at the time.
Before 1914, Nigeria was not one country. The British had taken control of different parts at different times:
- Northern Nigeria was ruled separately under British control. The people were mostly Hausa-Fulani, and they had strong leaders called Emirs, who ruled under the British system of indirect rule.
- Southern Nigeria had different groups like the Yoruba, Igbo, and others, who were used to ruling themselves through kings and village elders. The British tried indirect rule here, but it did not work well.
The British saw that running two separate governments was too expensive. The Northern region did not have as much money as the South, which had booming trade and taxes from industries like palm oil. So, the British thought, “Why not merge them and use the South’s money to fund the North?”
On January 1, 1914, Lord Lugard officially signed the Amalgamation of Nigeria, joining the two regions into one country called Nigeria. A new government was formed, but the people were not asked if they wanted this change. The British made the decision mainly for their benefit.
Effects of the Amalgamation
- Nigeria became one country, but the different ethnic groups did not fully unite because they had different ways of life.
- The British still controlled everything, even though they ruled indirectly through local leaders.
- Economic benefits—The North could now use the South’s wealth to run its administration.
- Political challenges—Many people did not like being forced into one country without being consulted. This later led to tensions among the different regions.
Clear and Relatable Examples:
Think about a school where there are two separate classes—one for pupils who love mathematics and another for those who enjoy arts. Then, one day, the school decides to put both groups in the same class, whether they like it or not. Some might be happy, while others might struggle to get along. That’s exactly what happened when Nigeria was merged in 1914. The British did not ask if the people wanted to be one country—they just made the decision themselves.
Another example is if two families with different cultures and traditions suddenly have to live together in one house. It may take time before they truly understand each other. This is what happened in Nigeria after the 1914 Amalgamation.
Conclusion:
In 1914, Lord Lugard merged Northern and Southern Nigeria into one country for easier and cheaper administration. Although this created modern Nigeria, it also led to challenges, as the different regions had different ways of life and did not fully unite. This event shaped Nigeria’s future and influenced how the country is governed today.
Evaluation:
- Who was responsible for the 1914 Amalgamation of Nigeria?
- Why did the British decide to merge Northern and Southern Nigeria?
- Name two major differences between the North and South before the amalgamation.
- What was the official date of the amalgamation?
- Did the Nigerian people have a say in the amalgamation? Why or why not?
You are doing an amazing job learning about Nigeria’s history! Every great leader understands the past to build a better future. Keep up the fantastic work, Afrilearn superstar! I can’t wait to see you in the next lesson. Keep shining!
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