Introduction
The history of colonial Nigeria cannot be understood without examining the role of railways. Introduced by the British at the turn of the 20th century, the railway system was primarily designed to serve colonial economic goals, yet it profoundly reshaped the country’s economy, society, and political life. While parts of the narrative of railway development have been exaggerated or oversimplified, archival evidence confirms that railways became one of the most enduring legacies of colonial infrastructure in Nigeria.
This article revisits the history of railways in colonial Nigeria, carefully distinguishing fact from embellishment, and reworking the account with documented sources.
Origins of Railway Development
The first railway in Nigeria was authorised in 1895 and construction began in 1898. The line ran from Lagos to Ibadan, officially completed in 1901. Its primary purpose was to facilitate the export of agricultural produce, particularly cocoa and palm products, from the hinterland to Lagos for shipment to Britain.
Unlike earlier claims that the project immediately transformed the entire colonial economy, archival records show that the Lagos–Ibadan line was initially experimental, aimed at reducing reliance on manual head porterage and river transport. Its relative efficiency, however, encouraged colonial authorities to extend the network.
Expansion of the Network
The railway system expanded steadily in the first three decades of the 20th century:
Lagos Railway Line (1898–1912): Extended northwards from Ibadan to Ilorin (1907), Jebba (1909), Minna (1911), and Kano (1912). This line integrated much of Northern Nigeria into the colonial export economy.
Baro–Kano Line (1907–1911): Built to connect Baro on the River Niger with Kano, facilitating movement of groundnuts and cotton for export.
Eastern Line (1913–1927): Began from Port Harcourt, reaching Enugu (1916) and later Makurdi (1927). Its main purpose was to transport coal from Enugu and palm oil from Eastern Nigeria.
By the 1920s, these lines formed a network of over 3,500 kilometres of narrow-gauge tracks, linking key colonial economic zones.
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Economic Role of Railways
The railways were not designed for Nigerians’ welfare but to advance British imperial interests:
Agricultural Exports: Cocoa (West), groundnuts and cotton (North), and palm produce (East) were carried to coastal ports.
Mineral Resources: Enugu coal, discovered in 1909, was exported through Port Harcourt, with railways as the only reliable mode of transport.
Imports: Railways also carried British manufactured goods inland, reinforcing economic dependency.
This system created a mono-cultural economy dependent on export crops, often at the expense of local food production.
Social and Political Impacts
Railway development had deep social consequences:
Urbanisation: Railway towns like Enugu, Kaduna, and Jos expanded rapidly as centres of commerce and colonial administration.
Labour and Migration: Thousands of Nigerians were employed as railway workers and construction labourers, often under exploitative conditions. This fostered both internal migration and cross-cultural exchange.
Colonial Control: Railways allowed quick deployment of administrators and troops, strengthening British dominance.
Importantly, railway labour became a hotbed of early trade unionism. The Railway Workers’ Union staged strikes in 1941, 1945, and 1949, demanding fair wages and conditions. These labour struggles contributed to the rise of nationalist politics.
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Key Figures and Events
Frederick Lugard: Governor-General (1914–1919) who viewed railways as central to his policy of uniting North and South for administrative efficiency.
Railway Workers’ Strikes: The 1945 general strike, led in part by railway unions, marked a turning point in organised labour activism.
Enugu Colliery Strike (1949): Though centred on coal miners rather than railway workers, the strike was tied to railway transport of coal. The killing of 21 miners by colonial police in Enugu galvanised nationalist agitation.
Challenges of the Colonial Railways
Despite their significance, colonial railways were fraught with problems:
Narrow Gauge: The 3 ft 6 in gauge limited speed and carrying capacity.
Maintenance: Tropical weather and poor reinvestment undermined efficiency.
Regional Imbalances: Routes favoured export-producing regions while neglecting others, deepening economic inequalities.
Exploitation: Built largely for extraction, railways contributed little to indigenous industrial growth.
Transition after Independence
At independence in 1960, Nigeria inherited about 3,500 km of railway lines, managed by the newly formed Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). For two decades, railways remained central to domestic trade, but by the 1980s, neglect, corruption, and competition from road transport led to decline.
Today, Nigeria’s new standard-gauge projects often trace colonial-era routes, reflecting the enduring imprint of early railway planning.
Why This History Matters Today
The legacy of colonial railways carries key lessons:
Economic Strategy: Infrastructure can drive development, but dependence on extractive models risks long-term stagnation.
Equity: Colonial patterns of uneven development remind modern policymakers to prioritise inclusiveness.
Labour Rights: The struggles of railway workers illustrate how organised labour shaped Nigeria’s path to independence.
Heritage: Old stations and tracks remain part of Nigeria’s historical identity, representing both exploitation and resilience.
Author’s Note
The history of Nigeria’s colonial railways is not merely a tale of infrastructure; it is a story of economic exploitation, forced labour, and colonial control. Yet it is also a story of resistance, adaptation, and the emergence of modern labour movements. Understanding this dual legacy is vital as Nigeria seeks to modernise its rail transport today.
References
Falola, T. & Heaton, M. (2008). A History of Nigeria. Cambridge University Press.
Olukoju, A. (1996). “The Travails of the Nigerian Railway Workers, 1945–48.” International Review of Social History, 41(1), pp. 27–52.
Ogunsola, F. (2012). Nigerian Railway System: Its Development and Decline. Ibadan University Press.
