COLONIALISM IN NIGERIA

By: Pragya Singh

Reasons for Colonization in Nigeria

Rich in Natural resources Gold Coal Rubber Tin

Nigerians were traded as slaves Spreading of religious ideas Increase the amount of power

Colonization Begins

1900- Great Britain established a charter for control over northern Nigeria

Britain began belligerent military expansion in this region

By the second half of the 19th century, Nigeria was under complete control of the British

People/Tribes affected by Colonization

More than 250 tribes resided in Nigeria at the time

Main tribes affected by colonization Borno- Northeastern tribe Oyo- Southwestern tribe Benin- Southern tribe Igbo- Eastern tribe

Changes

Western culture was imposed in place of tribal culture

Missionaries provided methods for children to become educated

Health facilities provided treatment for the ill

Some natives became part of the Atlantic Slave Trade

Positive Effects on Tribes

Presence of missionaries allowed developments in infrastructure Housing Stores Church

Health facilities were provided for those who were ill

Negative Effects on Tribes

Rich, native culture was condemnedDialogue of a Capuchin missionary in the Congo:

"On my way, I found numbers of idols which I threw into the fire. The owner of these idols....seemed very annoyed. To calm him down by humiliating him, I let him know that if he persisted in anger, I should see that he himself is burnt with his idols.”

Natives were treated as inferiors

Positive Effects of Colonization

A new federal system of government had developed

Christianity was introduced to the region Missionary schools gave children the

opportunity to learn Health facilities helped treat common

infectious diseases in Nigeria

Negative Effects of Colonization

Natives became part of the Slave Trade British set tribes against each other and

native beliefs were disrespected Christian beliefs and European ideology

was forced onto the tribals

Colonists’ Effect on Nigerian Culture

The federation became self-governing Voters had direct elections for leaders Ministerial Government

Tribes became more separated Nigeria used to be the largest oil exporter in

Africa Polygamy was banned Schooling is available to most (if not all) of

the children Health facilities are still widely available

References

http://www.nijacol.com/2011/03/18/the-history-of-the-colonization-of-nigeria/

http://www.iss.co.za/af/profiles/nigeria/Politics.html

http://africanmissionreports.blogspot.com/2011/05/effects-of-colonialism-on-mission-in.html

 http://www.pctii.org/wcc/akin96.html  http://

www.postcolonialweb.org/nigeria/yorubarel2.html

http://www.nijacol.com/2011/11/05/major-agriculture-developments-for-the-country-of-nigeria/