Today’s Google Doodle honors Nigeria’s Independence Day. On this day in 1960, Nigeria became a free nation, gaining independence from Great Britain.
To mark 64 years of independence, celebrations start with a speech from the president, broadcast to the whole country. Across Nigeria, colourful parades fill the streets with joy. School children proudly wear the national colors of green and white as they march in local processions. In Abuja, there are civil-military parades at Eagle Square, featuring marching bands and stunning aerial flyovers.
Many Nigerians also celebrate by wearing traditional clothes from different regions or enjoying popular foods like suya (spicy beef skewers) and jollof rice. As the night falls, crowds gather to watch dazzling fireworks light up the sky.
Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!
Stephen Keshi: Champion of Nigerian Football and National Pride
History of Nigeria Independence Day
Nigeria, a diverse nation with numerous ethnic groups, was subjected to British colonial rule in the late 19th century. The early 20th century saw the emergence of nationalist movements led by figures like Herbert Macaulay and Nnamdi Azikiwe, advocating for greater autonomy and self-determination. World War II heightened the demand for independence, and constitutional reforms such as the Richards Constitution of 1946 and the Macpherson Constitution of 1951 gradually granted Nigerians more self-governance. Negotiations between Nigerian leaders and the British government culminated in full independence on October 1, 1960. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became the first Prime Minister, and Nnamdi Azikiwe assumed the ceremonial presidency. Despite challenges, including political instability and economic difficulties, Independence Day remains a momentous occasion symbolizing Nigeria’s emergence as a sovereign nation and its ongoing journey toward addressing complex issues.
Nigeria became a colony of the British Empire through a combination of factors, including exploration, economic interests, and military conquest. Here is a brief overview of how Nigeria became a British colony:
- Early Exploration: The coastal areas of what is now Nigeria were visited by European explorers as early as the 15th century. Portuguese explorers were among the first to arrive in the late 15th century, establishing trade along the coast.
- Transatlantic Slave Trade: During the 17th and 18th centuries, Nigeria’s coastline became a center for the transatlantic slave trade. European powers, including the British, established trading posts and forts along the coast to facilitate the capture and shipment of enslaved Africans to the Americas.
- Abolition of the Slave Trade: In the early 19th century, the British Parliament, driven by abolitionist sentiments, abolished the transatlantic slave trade in 1807. As a result, British interests in Nigeria shifted from the slave trade to legitimate commerce.
- Colonial Expansion: Throughout the 19th century, the British Empire expanded its colonial territories in Africa. British explorers and officials, such as Mungo Park and George Goldie, played crucial roles in establishing British influence and control in the interior regions of what would become Nigeria.
- Conquests and Protectorates: The British engaged in military campaigns and established protectorates over various Nigerian regions, often through treaties with local rulers. Key moments include the establishment of the Niger Coast Protectorate in 1893 and the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates into the single entity of Nigeria in 1914.
- Amalgamation of Nigeria: The amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 was a significant step toward the creation of a single administrative entity under British colonial rule. This brought together the northern and southern regions with their diverse ethnic groups.
- Colonial Administration: Nigeria was administered as a British colony with distinct regions, each governed differently. The colonial period saw the introduction of British legal systems, education, infrastructure, and the exploitation of natural resources.
- Nationalist Movements: As Nigeria developed under British rule, nationalist movements began to emerge in the early 20th century, advocating for greater autonomy and ultimately, independence.
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