Back to: History Primary 5
Hello, my amazing Afrilearn champion! I hope you’re ready for another exciting history lesson. Have you ever wondered how Nigeria became one of the world’s top oil-producing countries? Well, it all started in June 1956, when oil was discovered in Oloibiri, a small community in present-day Bayelsa State. Let’s find out how this discovery changed Nigeria forever!
June 1956 – Discovery of Oil in Nigeria, Oloibiri, Bayelsa State
Imagine waking up one day to find a hidden treasure buried in your backyard. That’s how it must have felt for the people of Oloibiri when oil was discovered in their land. Before this discovery, Nigeria’s economy depended mostly on agriculture, with crops like cocoa, groundnut, and palm oil being the main sources of income. But when oil was found in 1956, everything changed! This black liquid, buried deep underground, would later make Nigeria one of the richest oil-producing nations in Africa.
Before oil was found in Nigeria, the British colonial government was already searching for it. As early as 1908, a German company had tried to find oil, but they were unsuccessful. Later, in 1937, the British gave Shell D’Arcy Petroleum (now Shell) the right to explore for oil in Nigeria.
After many years of searching, their efforts finally paid off in June 1956, when they struck oil in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State (then in the Eastern Region of Nigeria). This was the first commercial oil discovery in Nigeria. Two years later, in 1958, Nigeria officially began exporting crude oil to other countries.
Impact of the Oil Discovery:
- Economic Growth: Oil quickly became Nigeria’s major source of income, replacing agriculture.
- Development of the Niger Delta: More oil companies came to the Niger Delta, bringing roads, schools, and businesses.
- Environmental Damage: Oil spills and gas flaring started damaging farmlands, rivers, and the environment.
- Conflicts and Protests: Many communities, including the people of Oloibiri, felt they were not benefiting from the oil wealth, leading to agitation and protests.
Imagine if a school depends only on selling snacks to make money, and then one day, they find a special machine that prints money. That’s what oil was like for Nigeria—it became the country’s biggest source of wealth.
However, just like a machine that can also pollute the air, oil has brought problems too. Some communities, especially in the Niger Delta, have suffered from pollution, which affects fishing and farming.
Conclusion:
The discovery of oil in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, in June 1956 marked the beginning of Nigeria’s oil industry. It changed the country’s economy, bringing great wealth but also challenges like environmental pollution and conflicts. Today, Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest oil producers, but people still debate whether oil has been a blessing or a problem for the country.
Evaluation:
- In which year and place was oil first discovered in Nigeria?
- What was Nigeria’s major source of income before oil was found?
- Which company discovered oil in Nigeria?
- What are some of the problems caused by oil discovery in the Niger Delta?
- Why do some people say oil is a blessing while others see it as a problem?
You are doing an incredible job learning about Nigeria’s history! Keep asking questions and discovering new things because knowledge is power. You are a future leader, and I am so proud of you! See you in the next lesson, superstar! Keep shining!
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