Influencing

Historical
Events
Nigeria

1500-1700
The slave trade sends many Nigerians to the
Americas against their will.
This marks the very beginning of colonization
and forcing movement of Nigerian people to
other countries.
More information about the slave trade in
Nigeria can be found at:
http://www.freemaninstitute.com/nigeria.htm

January 1, 1862
Lagos Island, Nigeria, was added as a British colony.
H.S. Freeman was made the first governor of this
colony on January 22 of the same year.
This was the beginning of the British influence on
Nigeria that would last for nearly 100 years.
More information about the Lagos state and its
history can be found at:
http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng/

1890s
The name Nigeria is suggested because of the
Niger river in the land area.
A British journalist suggested this, showing
how great their influence was on the Nigerian
people.
More information about the Niger River can be
found at:
http://www.britannica.com/place/Niger-River

1897
The last independent West African king is overthrown
by British rule.
His name was Oba Ovanramwen and he ruled in
Benin.
The British have a lasting impact and do not allow
the Nigerian people to make their own decisions
regarding governmental powers.
More information at:
http://revealinghistories.org.uk/legaciescommemorating-the-bicentenary-of-britishabolition/objects/ovonramwen-oba-of-benin.html

October 1, 1960
Nigeria claims independence from the British.
A coalition government is formed in the nation under
Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
Although this marks a turning point for Nigeria, British
influence in early history continues to be an issue
today.
More information at: http://www.glpinc.org/Classroom
%20Activities/Nigeria%20Articles/Nigeria-history
%20since%201960.htm

January, 1983
Over 1 million foreigners are expelled from Nigeria due to
overstaying visas and taking jobs from natural Nigerian
citizens.
Most of these people were Ghanaians.
Many believed this issue should have not required
deportation.
More information at:
http://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/05/world/expelledforeigners-pouring-out-of-nigeria-by-the-associatedpress.html

February and November, 2002

Over 300 people are killed in Nigeria due to religious conflict.
The Islamic north and Christian south cause these problems within
the country.
One riot was due to Muslim fury over the Miss World beauty pageant
in Kaduna, Nigeria.
The other riot was caused by the problems between the Hausa and
Yoruba people.
These events showed the prevalence of religious controversy.
More information at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/07/why-aterrifying-religious-conflict-is-raging-in-nigeria/277690/

Sources

Major events, facts and dates in Nigeria's History. (n.d.).

Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.ngex.com/nigeria/keyevents/default.htm
Nigeria History - OnlineNigeria.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, f
rom http://www.onlinenigeria.com/history.asp
Nigeria profile - Timeline - BBC News. (2015, June 12).
Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13951696