Nigeria: A Country Headed in the Right Direction

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Nigeria: A Country Headed in the Right Direction

Imagine throwing several different groups of people, all of whom have nothing in common and all of whom have different beliefs and follow different morals and ideals, and forming one nation out of them. Now, imagine trying to govern this nation as one cohesive unit. This is exactly what Great Britain tried to do in the formation of Nigeria over a period of time spanning from the days of the slave trade until October 1, 1960, when Nigeria eventually became a self-governing nation.

Britain first became interested in West Africa because of trade, and for the most part, slave trade. Britain had been looking for ways to better colonize the Americas and fill the demand for labor there, and these slaves were the answer to Britain’s problems. Slave trade in West Africa had begun as early as the sixteenth century. Over the next 300 years, this trade had been sustained. In 1807, the British Parliament outlawed the slave trade. Most of the trade boats had turned into British navy ships patrolling West Africa. Trade of other goods continued.

In 1884 and 1885, the European powers met as the Conference of Berlin. Here, they decided to seize all of Africa and divide it into spheres of influence. After negotiations, imperialist wars, and conquests, the Europowers were successful. In 1900, the Colony of Lagos and the Protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria were formed. In 1914, these protectorates, including Lagos, were brought under a single colonial administration. However, the well-educated southern elite dominated this administration. The British believed it was best to not play a role in Nigeria’s everyday life. They decided to let the administration handle things to an exte...

... middle of paper ...

...from the southwest either.

It is going to take a lot of work to avoid the past from reoccurring. Ababakar has got to set up a sound government structure in order for a democracy to succeed. Also, human rights have got to be improved, and they have to recover economically. I can only say it again; it is going to take a lot of work, but if the past can be avoided, Nigeria could build itself to be a respectable nation on the world stage.

Works Cited:

Almond, Gabriel A. and G. Bingham Powell, Jr. Comparative Politics Today. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Jr., 1996.

"Moshood Abiola." Academic Universe. (Library Database – Lexis Nexis)

"Nigeria." Academic Universe. (Library Database – Lexis Nexis)

Politics this Week. The Economist. September 26, 1998. pg. 6

"Waking from a nightmare." The Economist. October 17, 1998. pg. 52

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