Nigerian History
Nigerian History explores the people, events, and ideas that have shaped Africa’s most populous nation. From the rise of powerful precolonial kingdoms and the impact of British colonial rule to the struggle for independence, civil war, and modern nation-building, this category brings Nigeria’s past to life through detailed narratives and verified historical accounts. Here, readers discover stories of leadership, resilience, culture, and transformation — tracing how Nigeria’s diverse heritage continues to influence its present and future.
Christian Missions in Ibadan, From Kudeti to a Growing Protestant City
Christian mission history in Ibadan is closely linked to the arrival of the Church Missionary Society in the early 1850s. In 1853, C.M.S. missionaries...
When Aggression Took Shape, The Urhobo Iphri Dance of the Niger Delta
A photograph taken in 1972 by Perkins Foss captures a powerful Urhobo performance centred on an iphri, a shrine figure associated with male aggression....
From Slave Ship to City Hall, The Rise of John Ezzidio in Nineteenth Century Freetown
John Ezzidio was born around 1810 in Nupe country, in the region of present day Nigeria. His early life unfolded in a period marked...
Olu Onagoruwa at the Oputa Panel, Abacha’s condolence letter, The murder allegation that still echoes
Nigeria’s history is marked by moments when private grief collided with public power. Few of those moments remain as unresolved and unsettling as the...
Chaos at Midnight: How the 1983 Coup Ended Nigeria’s Second Republic
The 31 December 1983 military coup marked a turning point in Nigeria’s post-independence history. Barely four years after the establishment of the Second Republic,...
When the Soldiers Removed Their Own: The 1985 Overthrow of Buhari
Nigeria’s long history of military rule is often remembered for coups that toppled civilian governments. Yet one of its most revealing episodes unfolded entirely...
From Barracks to Aso Rock: How Ex-Generals Shaped Nigeria’s Democracy
Nigeria’s transition from military rule to civilian governance in 1999 marked a historic shift for Africa’s most populous nation. Yet the shadow of military...
From Coups to Culture: How Military Rule Shaped Nigeria’s Political Landscape
Nigeria’s political history is often remembered for its long periods of military rule, spanning much of the post-independence era. Between 1966 and 1979 and...
The Shadow of the Barracks: Lessons Nigeria Still Faces from Military Rule
Nigeria’s modern political history was profoundly shaped by extended periods of military governance between 1966 and 1999. During this time, the armed forces repeatedly...
Beyond the Barracks: Can Nigeria Truly Leave Its Coup Legacy Behind?
Nigeria’s modern political history cannot be understood without confronting its long experience with military intervention. From the first coup in 1966 to the handover...