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In 1916 Lord Lugard , the Governor of Nigeria brought the three main regions together.
North - Muslim - dominated by the Hausa tribe and ruled by traditional rulers or Emirs
South East - dominated by the Igbo tribe
South West - dominated by the Yoruba tribe
Up until 1916 each region had its own language and traditions. -
During WW2 , Nigerian soldiers fought in Ethiopia, and had also served with the British in Palestine, Morocco , Sicily and Burma. With their new perspectives returning servicemen were a significant factor in campaigns for independence . The war years in Nigeria also say a marked increase in the membership of Trade Unions
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Tin miners were worked very hard, conditions became so bad that there was a general strike in Nigeria in protest at the treatment of the natives at the hands of the British Colonialists
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The three main nationalist political parties competed for positions of power in an Independent Nigeria, which all knew would soon come to existence.There were no less than three separate constitutions enacted. Each one moved Nigeria to independence along the path of a federal state , with strong regional assemblies and a central federal government
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The discovery of substantial quantities of oil at Olobiri in the delta region of the River Niger in 1956, didn't generate much revenue at first but clearly the potential wealth was enormous. The effect of the discovery was to sharpen regional rivalries in Independent Nigeria
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Conferences held at Lancaster house to discuss Nigerian Independence
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Nigerian nationalist parties increasingly split along regional lines, so Britain decided to impose federal system of government. South West Yoruba region and South East Ibo regions became self-governing.
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Great oil terminal and refinery built at Port Harcourt
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The North, Muslim region dominated by the Hausa tribe became self governing 1959
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By an Act of Parliament in London, Nigeria became independent . The first Prime Minister of Independent Nigeria was Abubakar Tatawa Balewa , a leading political figure from the northern region.