The History of Nigeria

By ineshagerhof16
  • 5000 BCE

    First signs of people living in Nigeria

  • 1000

    The Yoruba founded the city of Ife in the south-west

    Yoruba: one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups
  • 1000

    In the north, different states were established

    The two most powerful states Hausa-Bakwai and Kanevasse-Borno
  • 1500

    Portuguese slave trade to America began along Nigeria’s coasts

  • 1500

    Portuguese slave trade to America began along Nigeria’s coasts

  • British had control of them and more and more slave ports were established

    Beginning of 18th century

  • Fulani people started a holy war against Hausa

    Early 19th century

  • Divide between Muslim north and Christian south

    Also growth in Nigeria's export trade

  • Slave trade was finally abolished

    Missionaries campaigned for the British Parlament to introduce a ban

  • Slave trade was finally abolished

    Missionaries campaigned for the British Parlament to introduce a ban

  • Nigeria's ports and export of natural resources and agricultural goods came under control of Britain’s Niger Company

    Later in the 19th century

  • By the end of the 19th century, whole Nigeria was under British control

  • Nigeria's ports and export of natural resources and agricultural goods came under control of Britain’s Niger Company

    Later in the 19th century

  • Constitutional developments began in the south

  • A legislative council ruled the south

  • A legislative council ruled the south

  • From 1947 onwards the legislative council ruled the whole country

  • Nigeria finally became a federation

  • Oil was discovered in south-east Nigeria

  • Nigeria became independent

  • Nigeria became a federal republic

  • Nigeria became a federal republic

  • A military regime took power because of uncontrolled ethnic tensions between the north and south

  • The south-east was declared an independent state: Republic of Biafra

  • The south-east was declared an independent state: Republic of Biafra

  • Period: to

    Biafran War

    Around a million people were killed
  • Period: to

    first period of Nigerian democracy

    Military government came to an end and civilian administration regained power
  • Period: to

    first period of Nigerian democracy

    Military government came to an end and civilian administration regained power

  • Despite the nationalisation of the oil industry it remained dominated by British companies

  • Despite the nationalisation of the oil industry it remained dominated by British companies

  • First democratic period was ended by a military coup

    Major General Muhammadu Buhari was head of state

  • EU imposed sanctions on Nigeria and their Commonwealth membership was suspended for three years

  • State and federal elections where the regime adopted a programme of democratic reforms

    five political parties

  • First legislative election since the end of military rule in 1999 was held

  • First legislative election since the end of military rule in 1999 was held

  • Period: to

    Islamist movement Book Haram has led a campaign of violence in north-eastern regions of Nigeria

    Attacking army bases, military personnel and civilians

  • Goodluck Ebele Jonathan became President

    Economy boomed but corruption, neglect of education, health, infrastructure and agriculture + suicide bombings and kidnappings in the north-east

  • The organisation kidnapped almost 300 young women from the city of Chibok

    They intensified terrorist attacks when the Oresident announced his intention to fight against them

  • Muhammadu Buhari became Nigerian president

  • Muhammadu Buhari became Nigerian president

  • He was re-elected in 2019