History of Nigeria
The most populous country in Africa, a multinational state with more than 250 ethnic groups. 5 eras, 1170 to today.
Benin Empire, 1170–1897 Draft, not yet reviewed
The Benin Kingdom was one of the oldest and most developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the empire reached the height of its prosperity, expanding its territory, trading with European powers, and creating a remarkable artistic legacy in cast bronze, iron, brass, carved ivory, and other materials. It was annexed by the British Empire in 1897, but endured as a non-sovereign monarchy.
Seat of power: Benin City
Rulers
- Eweka I, Oba of Benin, 1200–1235
- Uwakhuahen, Oba of Benin, 1235–1243
- Ewedo, Oba of Benin, 1255–1280
- Oguola, Oba of Benin, 1280–1295
- Udagbedo, Oba of Benin, 1299–1334
- Ohen, Oba of Benin, 1334–1370
- Ewuare, Oba of Benin, 1440–1473
- Ozolua, Oba of Benin, 1483–1514
- Esigie, Oba of Benin, 1504–1550
- Ovonramwen, Oba of Benin, 1888–1897
Sokoto Caliphate, 1804–1903 Draft, not yet reviewed
The Sokoto Caliphate was a Sunni Muslim caliphate in West Africa. It was founded by Usman dan Fodio in 1804 during the Fulani jihads after defeating the Hausa Kingdoms in the Fulani War. At its peak, the caliphate linked over 30 different emirates. In 1903, the twelfth and last caliph Attahiru was assassinated by British forces, marking the end of the caliphate.
Seat of power: Sokoto
Rulers
- Ahmadu Rufai, Sultan of Sokoto, 1867–1873
- Abdur Rahman Atiku, Sultan of Sokoto, 1891–1902
Colonial Nigeria, 1914–1960 Draft, not yet reviewed
Colonial Nigeria formed part of the British Empire from the mid-nineteenth century until 1 October 1960, when Nigeria achieved independence. From 1886 to 1899, much of the area was ruled by the Royal Niger Company, authorised by charter, and governed by George Taubman Goldie. At the urging of Governor Frederick Lugard, the two territories were amalgamated as the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. Progressive constitutions after World War II provided for increasing representation and electoral government by Nigerians.
Seat of power: Lagos
Rulers
- Frederick Lugard, 1st Baron Lugard, Governor-General of Nigeria, 1914–1919
- Hugh Clifford, Governor of Nigeria, 1919–1925
- Graeme Thomson, Governor of Nigeria, 1925–1931
- Donald Charles Cameron, Governor of Nigeria, 1931–1935
- Bernard Henry Bourdillon, Governor of Nigeria, 1935–1940
- John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Governor of Nigeria, 1940–1942
- Alan Burns, Governor of Nigeria, 1942–1943
- Arthur Richards, 1st Baron Milverton, Governor of Nigeria, 1943–1948
- John Macpherson, Governor of Nigeria, 1948–1955
- James Wilson Robertson, Governor-General of Nigeria, 1955–1960
Federation of Nigeria, 1960–1963 Draft, not yet reviewed
The Federation of Nigeria was a predecessor to modern-day Nigeria from 1954 to 1963. It was a British protectorate until its independence on 1 October 1960. Three people held the office of governor-general during the whole existence of the Federation of Nigeria. The Federal Republic of Nigeria came into existence on 1 October 1963.
Seat of power: Lagos
Rulers
- Elizabeth II, monarch of the Federation of Nigeria, 1960–1963
Nigeria, 1963 to today Draft, not yet reviewed
The Federal Republic of Nigeria came into existence on 1 October 1963. From 1967 to 1970, the country was ravaged by civil war, followed by a series of military dictatorships, as well as an unstable democracy from 1979 to 1983, until a stable democracy was established in 1999. Following the war, Nigeria enjoyed an oil boom in the 1970s, during which the country joined OPEC and received huge oil revenues. On 29 May 1999, Abubakar handed over power to the winner of the 1999 presidential election, former military ruler General Olusegun Obasanjo, as President of Nigeria.
Seat of power: Abuja
Rulers
- Nnamdi Azikiwe, President of Nigeria, 1963–1966
- Yakubu Gowon, President of Nigeria, 1966–1975
- Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, President of Nigeria, 1966–1966
- Murtala Muhammed, President of Nigeria, 1975–1976
- Olusegun Obasanjo, President of Nigeria, 1976–1979
- Shehu Shagari, President of Nigeria, 1979–1983
- Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria, 1983–1985
- Ibrahim Babangida, President of Nigeria, 1985–1993
- Sani Abacha, President of Nigeria, 1993–1998
- Abdulsalami Abubakar, President of Nigeria, 1998–1999
- Olusegun Obasanjo, President of Nigeria, 1999–2007
- Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, President of Nigeria, 2007–2010
- Goodluck Jonathan, President of Nigeria, 2010–2015
- Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria, 2015–2023
- Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria, 2023 to today
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