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DESTINY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
2022/2023 ACADEMIC SESSION
SECOND TERM SCHEME OF WORK
CLASS: JSS 3
SUBJECT: HISTORY
TOPIC
CONTENT
Non-centralized states in pre-colonial i. Meaning.
Nigeria
ii. Characteristics.
iii. Examples.
Centralized states in pre-colonial Nigeria.
i. Meaning.
ii. Characteristics.
iii. Examples.
The evolution of the Nigerian state
i. Introduction.
ii. The Berlin Treaty.
iii. The roles of the Royal Niger Company.
iv. Colonial conquest and administration.
British colonization of Nigerian territories
i. How British colonized Nigeria.
ii. British system of colonialism.
Amalgamation of Nigeria
i. Meaning.
ii. Reasons for the amalgamation of Nigerian territories.
iii. The process of amalgamation.
iv. Key personalities.
The independence movement
i. Meaning of Nationalism.
ii. Factors that contributed to Nigerian Nationalism.
iii. People that struggled for independence.
History of political parties in Nigeria.
i. Examples of political parties that were formed before
independence.
Constitutional development in Nigeria
i. Hugh Clifford’s constitution of 1922.
ii. Arthur Richard’s constitution of 1946/47
Constitutional development in Nigeria
iii. Macpherson constitution of 1951.
iv. Oliver Lyttleton’s constitution of 1954.
Constitutional development in Nigeria
v. Independence constitution of 1960.
vi. Republican constitution of 1963.
Revision
Revision.
Examination
Examination.
WEEK ONE
TOPIC: NON-CENTRALIZED STATES IN PRE-COLONIAL NIGERIA
1. Meaning of Non-centralized states: non-centralized
states were independent ethnic groups that had no
central administration which means that they had no
powerful ruler. Hence, in non-centralized states, power
was distributed among many people. The power in this
context means the overall activities, which includes
planning and decision-making.
2. Characteristics of Non-Centralized states
i. Numerous governing bodies: There are many governing
bodies, thus laws are made and enforced only if the
majority voted in favour of that particular law.
ii. Decentralization of power: In a non-centralized state,
all the power is not centered on a single individual or
central government. The power resides in the hands of
selected group of elders or chiefs.
iii. Government is usually more effective and efficient;
responsive and responsible.
iv. There was absence of law courts and prisons, oracle was
usually consulted in resolution of certain disputes.
v. Religious activities played a great role in these states.
3. Examples of Non-centralized states in pre-colonial
Nigeria
i. Igbo: the pre-colonial system of administration in Igbo
land was centered inside villages. Politically, each
village existed on its own, with a council of elders at the
helm of administration. The head of each council of
elders was called the Okpara, he was the wisest and
most senior person. The council of elders made and
enforce laws and punish law breakers. Though the
Okpara could summon meetings and judge but he
wasn’t powerful and could not take decision without the
consent of all the families in the village.
SOME KEY PERSONALITIES/GROUPS IN PRECOLONIAL IGBO LAND
a. Okpara: The eldest member of the council.
b. Ofo: The heads of family.
c. Ozo: The most influential members of the village.
d. Ala: The priests who were regarded as the spokesmen
of the gods.
e. Age-grade: The male members of the same age group
who protected the territory from external invasion.
ii. Tiv: The people of Tiv lives on both sides of River
Benue in Nigeria. In pre-colonial era, there was no
central authority in Tiv land, law and order was
enforced by the elders.
KEY PERSONALITIES/GROUPS IN TIV LAND
a. The Orya: Each compound bore the name of the head
(Orya) and administration was done by a coalition of
the senior male members of the compound. The Orya
settles disputes, punish offenders, determined sites for
new buildings and distributes farmlands.
b. The Ityo: This group had supreme power, the members
are representatives of different families that comprised
the particular lineage. They had ultimate
responsibilities and their decision was normally
accepted as binding on all members.
c. The Kwav: This was the age-grade and it was formed
every three years within members of the same age
group.
d. The Kur: Kur was a brave warrior who had a quality of
good fighting, he was the military chief and the leader
of the Tiv militia who leads in war.
e. The Tor Agbande: This was the chief drummer in
charge of entertainment.
f. The Igba(maternal clan): Their role is to protect their
daughters with their children especially in times of
sickness and death.
iii. The Urhobo: The Urhobo practiced a decentralized
system of government in pre-colonial era. There were
many clans. In pre-colonial Urhobo land, the affairs of
each clan was attended to by the council of elders
(called Eguare Okaoro) and this council was headed by
the Ovie. Each village was made up of families, the
quarters were made up of extended families. Then the
compound was made up of men, women, and children
which was headed by the father (Ose). The
decentralized system of government was driven by agegrade (Otu) system.
iv. Idoma.
v. Ebira.
vi. Ijo (Ijaw).
vii. Oro (oron).
viii. Ibibio.
ix. Anaang.
WEEK TWO
TOPIC: CENTRALIZED STATES IN PRE-COLONIAL NIGERIA
1. Meaning of centralized states: Centralization is the
process whereby all the powers of a region is under a
single authority.
Centralized states were those states or territories that were
each governed or controlled by a king and his chiefs. In
a centralized state, the king had the ultimate power in
the state or province.
2. Characteristics of centralized states
i. Uniformity of laws: Since there was a central
government, a uniform set of laws was enforced for the
whole state.
ii. Centralization of power: All the powers in the state
were vested with the central government.
iii. Well-developed military system: The kings had welldeveloped and organized armies, because the power
was centralized with the king and the chiefs were able
to organize the armies and equipped them with local
weapons like spears, cutlasses, arrow and bows.
iv. A single law-making body: in the centralized states,
there was only one law-making body.
v. Organized economic activities: since there was a central
power that controlled the activities of the state,
implementing economic decision was quick.
3. Examples of centralized states in pre-colonial Nigeria
i. The Hausa states: After the Jihad of Usman Dan Fodio
from 1804 to 1810, fourthen Hausa states emerged and
they were split into Eastern and Western caliphates. The
Eastern caliphate had Sokoto as its capital and was
headed by Usman Dan Fodio’s son Bello, while the
Western caliphate had Gwandu as its capital and was
headed by Usman’s brother; Abdullah. Usman Dan
Fodio made himself the Sarkin Muslim while Bello and
Abdullah were referred to as Emirs. The two caliphates
were sub-divided into emirates and these emirates were
headed by lesser emirs which were selected only with
the approval of Sokoto and Gwandu Emirs.
The emirs in each emirate were assisted by some official,
namely; Waziri, Madawki, Dogari, Galadima, Maaji,
Sarkin Ruwa, Sarkin Pawa, etc.
The Emirs of the Caliphates had almost unlimited powers
and judiciary system was based on Sharia Law in which
Alkali judges administered the laws.
ii. Kanem-Borno: Kanem-Borno Empire consisted of
different people. Some of them are the So, Zaghawa,
Kanuri and the Bulala. The king of Kanem was referred
to as Mai and he is assisted by the maina, kaigama,
Yerima, Mestrema, Galadima, etc.
The political administration of Kanem-Borno was a
centralized one as the Mai had absolute power in the
empire.
iii. Nupe kingdom: The people of Nupe lived in a large
village called the Ezi, they are majorly found in Niger
state. They are also divided into different subgroups
e. The Army: They were referred to as the ‘Eso’. Their
including Batau, Kyedye, Eghagi, Ebe and Benu.
head was the Are Ona Kakanfo.
In the pre-colonial political organization, the Etsu was the
f. The ogboni society: This was regarded as a powerful
head of government. He carried out measures of
cult. They were involved in policy making and
administration; he is responsible for law and order. The
enactment of laws.
Etsu was very powerful, though his powers were
v. Igala kingdom: The kingdom of Igala was a prechecked by some traditions.
colonial state in Nigeria, precisely in Kogi State. The
iv. Oyo Empire: Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire which
people had a powerful system in pre-colonial Nigeria.
th
was established in the 15 century. In pre-colonial era,
The ruler of Igala Kingdom was referred to as the Attah,
Yoruba kingdoms (of which Oyo Empire was part of)
he was the head of traditional, political and social
had an orderly and unified political system. The
organization of the kingdom. The Attah is assisted by
following is the political structure of Oyo Empire;
the Onu (district officers), Omadachi (village heads)
a. The Alaafin: The king and ultimate head of the Empire.
and Ochiokolobia (youth leaders).
b. The Aremo: The eldest son of the Alaafin.
vi. Benin Empire.
c. The Oyomesi: The body responsible for installing a new
vii. Niger-Delta city states.
Alaafin.
viii. Calabar.
d. Baale: Heads of different provinces.
WEEK THREE
TOPIC: THE EVOLUTION OF THE NIGERIAN STATE
1. Introduction: with the discovery of Africa, European
countries started scrambling for colonies in Africa that
they could exploit valuable resources from. These
resources included gold, ivory, cotton, palm oil,
diamond, cocoa and rubber. The Europeans thought that
the more colonies they had, the more powerful they
would become in terms of military strength and
economy.
So, the desire and rush to conquer colonies created a lot of
disputes among the European powers. A German
Chancellor; Otto Von Bismarck called for a meeting
between 1884 and 1885 because the dispute started
affecting trade. This meeting held in Berlin, Germany
and the major countries that attended the Berlin
conference were France, Britain, Belgium and Portugal.
It was at this meeting that the agreement on the parts of
Africa that will go to each country was determined.
British were given South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria.
2. The Berlin Treaty: The Berlin treaty was introduced for
the following reasons
i. The disputes over territories in Africa as colonies.
ii. The control of free trade in coaster colonies.
iii. Prevention of war between European powers.
iv. Arguments between the German Chancellor; Bismarck
and the French foreign minister; Jules Ferry.
Major resolutions of the Treaty:
i. The trade of all nations shall enjoy freedom.
ii. All flags shall have free access to the whole of the coastline of the territories.
iii. All powers shall be responsible for the preservation of
the tribes and for suppressing slavery.
iv. Christian missionaries and explorers shall be objects of
special protection.
v. Any power that takes possession of land on the coasts
of the African continent outside its present possessions
shall have to notify the other signatory.
3. The roles of the Royal Niger Company in Nigerian
territories
i. The company which was established by Goldie in 1886,
signed treaties with local chiefs promising to allow
them enjoy free trade, but these treaties were often
deceitful.
ii. The Royal Niger Company enjoyed the monopoly of
trade and by 1894, they began to dictate whom the
natives should trade with. This made some kings to
wage war against the British officials.
4. Colonial conquest and administration of Nigerian
territories
The territory that that is now known as Nigeria was
formerly scattered states with different historical
backgrounds and religions. Though the people traded
and interacted with one another but did not regard
themselves as one. The territory was made up of Hausa
states, Nupe, Oyo, Kanem-Borno, Benin, Igbo etc.
The territory was granted to Britain after the Berlin
Conference and in order to exert influence, the British
led series of military activities. Hence, areas that
resisted missionaries and foreign traders saw the wrath
of the British forces.
The British government assumed control of the Southern
and Northern protectorates in 1900 and they imposed
different forms of administration in governing the
Nigerian territories.
WEEK FOUR
TOPIC: BRITISH COLONIZATION
1. ow British conquered Nigerian territories: The British
ii. Waging of war: Another way the British conquered
government conquered Nigerian territories through the
Nigerian territories was through war. The British
following ways;
Government bombarded territories that refused to sign
i. Signing of Treaties: A treaty is a written agreement
treaties and after conquering these territories, they
between two or more states or sovereigns.
would be forced to sign the treaties. British
The treaty between Britain and Lagos took place in 1
bombardment of Nigerian territories was successful
January 1852 and it was an agreement between Great
because they had sophisticated weapons.
Britain (represented by commodore Henry William
2. British system of colonialism
Bruce and John Beecroft) and oba Akintoye, the newly
There were two systems of colonialism:
installed oba of Lagos.
i. Direct rule system: This is when a territory is govern
When Oba Akintoye died, his son; Dosumu failed to abide
directly by a foreign power. Under the direct rule, the
by the terms of the treaty that was signed by his father
natives were forced into submission by the use of
and this led to him been dethroned by the British
soldiers and officials. The rule system was used in
government, hence, Lagos became a British colony in
Lagos colony.
1862.
ii. Indirect rule system: This is a system where by the
In all areas that constitute Nigeria, treaties played a major
colonial officials rule through the natives. In Nigeria,
role in upholding the affairs of the territories, treaties
the British administrators allowed traditional rulers to
helped in the abolishment of slave trade. This no doubt,
rule while the colonial officials supervised. The indirect
made the British government to be directly involved in
rule was first introduced in Northern Nigeria by Lord
politics and administration of Nigeria. In coaster areas
Lugard. The British ruled Nigeria through traditional
or states, the treaties clauses stated that rulers of these
rulers such as Emirs, Obas, and Sultan. The natives
states would be paid certain incentives in exchange for
were appointed as rulers of colonies, though, they
giving up the trade of slaves. These treaties however
answerable to a higher power (the British). The indirect
made provisions for protecting lives and property of
rule system was used in the Northern protectorate.
British traders but no similar provision was made for
In conclusion, both direct and indirect rule was practiced
the coastal states.
and in 1912, Lord Lugard was appointed governor of
Treaties legalized the strength of the British gunboats and
both Northern and Southern protectorates. In 1914,
once these treaties were signed, the British occupied the
Lugard merged the protectorates.
territory and seized control of the government. These
treaties made the Nigerian people vulnerable and open
to British revenge via military force.
WEEK FIVE
TOPIC: AMALGAMATION OF NIGERIA
1. Meaning of Amalgamation: This is the coming together
Lugard had thought about merging the two protectorates ten
of two states, companies or territories. To amalgamate
years before he became Governor General of the
means to unite, combine or blend. It is the process of
country, so the decision to amalgamate the protectorates
fusing together two states to form a new one with a
was not done in haste. In 1912, when Lugard returned
unique name.
to Nigeria as Governor General, he noticed the tribal
Historically, in 1914, Southern and Northern protectorates
discrimination that existed between the different parts
were merged by Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard to form a
of the country and he strongly believed that the parts
single colony of Nigeria.
needed to be merged in order to avoid absolute collapse.
2. Reasons for the Amalgamation of Nigerian territories:
In order to curb the tribal discrimination, Lugard talked with
i. Financial reason.
the then secretary of state for colonies; Mr. Lewis
ii. Easy governance.
Harcourt who agreed and in 1913 a proposal was
iii. The need to create access to sea by land.
submitted to the Queen and in 1914, the amalgamation
iv. The need for a unifying policy.
took place.
Key personalities
THE PROCESS OF AMALGAMATION
Between 1900 and 1912, the northern and southern
1. Taubman Goldie.
protectorates had different forms of administration,
2. Lord Lugard.
hence, the administrative structures in Nigeria before
3. The European missionaries.
amalgamation was diverse.
4. Nigerian traditional rulers.
WEEK 6
TOPIC: NATIONALISM
SUB-TOPIC 1: MEANING OF NATIONALISM
Nationalism can be defined as a strong feeling of national
SOME KEY NATIONALIST LEADERS AND THEIR
consciousness and love for one’s country to take care of its
CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONALISM
own affairs and be free from foreign control and
1. Herbert Macaulay: He formed the first political party
domination. During colonial period, it was seen as
in Nigeria (NNDP). He also established a newspaper
opposition to European domination. Nationalism is struggle
launched in 1925. The Lagos Daily News. This helped
against oppression and domination, struggle for equality
in creating awareness and aroused the political interest
and political participation and self- government. It can be
of Nigerians. Herbert Macaulay is regarded as the father
described as a movement for national independence. During
of Nigerian Nationalism.
colonial rule in Africa nationalism was centered on the
2.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe: He was a strong Nigerian
desire of African people to be free from colonialism and to
attain self- government.
nationalist. He was a member of Nigerian Youth
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO NIGERIAN
Movement, general secretary of National Council of
NATIONALISM
Nigeria and the Cameroon (NCNC). He was the editor
1. Independence of other countries e.g. India in 1947 and
of West African Pilot. He represented the eastern region
later Ghana in 1957.
in the constitutional conferences. In all these activities
2. The colonial policy of indirect rule excluded the
he contributed seriously to the rise and growth of
educated elite from governance.
Nationalism in Nigeria.
3. The activities of West African Student’s Union
3. Chief Obafemi Awolowo: He was the founding father
(WASU) in Britain and U.S.A.
of Action Group, (a political party) a party whose
4. The establishment of United Nations Organization
member spear headed the 1953 motion for Nigeria selfstimulated nationalist movements due to its stance on
government in 1956. Awolowo represented the western
colonialism and Human Rights.
region in the constitutional conferences.
5. The 1941 Atlantic charter emphasized the right to self4. Sir Ahmadu Bello: He was the leader of the Northern
determination by all people of the world.
People’s Congress (NPC). He also was the premier of
6. Appointment and deposition of chiefs by the colonial
the Northern region. He also represented the Northern
masters also increased nationalism e.g. the Aba women
region in the constitutional conferences.
riot of 1929.
5. Ernest Ikoli: he was one of the founders of the
7. The emergence of newspapers such as the West African
Nigerian Youth Movement. All the political parties
Pilot, Lagos Daily News, etc. increased nationalism.contributed toward the growth of nationalism.
8. The British Labour Party supported self- rule for the
6. S. L. Akintola, Samuel Akinsonya, H.O. Davies, etc.
colonized territories.
all contributed through their membership of the political
9. The defeat of Britain by Japan.
party or the other.
10. The activities of the Pan-African Congress.
11. Activities of trade union e.g. Nigeria Civil Service
Union 1921, NUT 1931, etc.
CHIEFOBAFEMIAWOLOWO
HERBERT MACAULAY
ANTHONY ENAHORO
SIR AHMADU BELLO
(SOME NIGERIAN NATIONALISTS)
DR.
NNAMDI AZIKIWE
METHODS USED BY NATIONALIST IN THEIR
OPPOSITION TO BRITISH RULE IN NIGERIA/
WEST AFRICA
1. The use of press – e.g. West African Pilot, Comet, Daily
Express, Lagos Daily News etc. were used as vocal
points of opposition to the British rule.
2.
Strike, protests, etc. e.g. 1945 nationwide strike in
Nigeria and 1948 in Ghana (then Gold Coast).
3. Constitutional Conferences.
4. Organizing seminars, symposia.
5. The use of political parties e.g. NNDP in Nigeria, CPP
in Ghana, PPP in Gambia, SLPP in Sierra-Leone.
WEEK SEVEN
TOPIC: HISTORY OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA
SUB-TOPIC: EXAMPLES OF POLITICAL PARTIES THAT WERE FORMED BEFORE INDEPENDENCE:
Samuel Akinsayan. It was later changed to Nigerian
Political parties in the colonial era in Nigeria had its origin
Youth Movement and due to ethnic parochialism, the
in the Clifford constitution of 1922, which introduced the
NYM crashed.
elective principle. The constitution encouraged the creation
iii. National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC): It
of political parties in order that Nigerians would be able to
emerged in 1944 on the ruins of NYM. The party was
secure the available seats in the legislative council. The
formed from a conglomerate of various groups and
elective principle therefore represents the first step in
associations among which was the Igbo State Union.
Nigeria’s electoral journey.
The NCNC was led by Herbert Macaulay while Nnamdi
The following are examples of political parties that were
Azikiwe served as the national secretary.
formed before independence:
iv. Action Group of Nigeria (AGN): Was formed in 1951
by Chief Obafemi Awolowo from Yoruba socioi. Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP): It was the
cultural group, the Egbe Omo Oduduwa.
first political party in Nigeria, formed by Herbert
v. Northern People’s Congress (NPC): was also formed in
Macaulay in 1922. It contested and won three seats
1951 by Ahmadu Bello, from the Hausa cultural group;
allocated to Lagos in the 1922 legislative council
Jammiyyar Mutaine Arewa.
election
ii. Lagos Youth Movement: was formed in 1934. The
It is instructive to note that the major political parties before
movement was formed by graduates of Nigeria’s
independence were majorly ethnically based, but
premier institution, king’s college, Lagos and the
notwithstanding, they contributed in the attainment of
founding members were Ernest Ikoli, H.O Davis and
independence.