Independence & Nationalism in Nigeria
The nationalist movements, leaders, constitutional changes, and events leading to Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
The Ogoni Teachers Union and MOSOP
In the history of Ogoniland’s struggle for rights and environmental justice, attention often falls on protest marches, public speeches, and international advocacy. Less visible,...
Ogoni Day 1993, The Mass Mobilisation That Made Ogoniland Impossible to Ignore
On 4 January 1993, Ogoniland in Rivers State became the scene of one of the largest peaceful protests ever organised by a minority community...
NADECO and June 12, The Coalition That Kept Nigeria’s Mandate Alive
On 12 June 1993, Nigerians participated in a presidential election that cut across ethnic, regional, and religious lines. For many citizens, it represented a...
Chief Adeola Odutola, Royal Tours, and the Making of Industrial Nigeria
Nigeria’s journey toward industrial strength unfolded during a period when political authority, commercial credibility, and public recognition were deeply intertwined. British colonial structures still...
The Chagourys in Nigeria, Building an Empire in Plain Sight
In Nigeria’s commercial landscape, some family names come to represent scale rather than office. The Chagourys are one such name, closely associated with industries...
The Chagourys Abroad, Diplomacy, Philanthropy, and the Global Reputation Economy
Some families occupy two worlds at once. At home, they are argued over fiercely, praised by supporters, questioned by critics, and repeatedly linked to...
Nigeria as a Constitutional Monarchy, 1960–1963
On 1 October 1960, Nigeria emerged as a sovereign state following decades of British colonial administration. Independence was achieved under a constitutional arrangement that...
Chinua Achebe and the Moral Crisis of Nigeria’s Founding Politics
Published in 1983, The Trouble with Nigeria constitutes Chinua Achebe’s most direct and uncompromising political intervention. Written after the Nigerian Civil War, prolonged military...
West African Pilot and the Rise of Nigeria’s Nationalist Press
The West African Pilot occupies a central place in the history of Nigerian journalism and nationalist politics. Established on 22 November 1937 in Lagos...
Kano Riot of 1953: Ethnic Conflict and Political Change
The Kano riot of May 1953 was a critical episode of political violence in Nigeria’s late colonial period. It occurred in Kano, a major...