Other Pre-Colonial Settlers in Lagos – Basic 2 Nigerian History Lesson Note (First Term)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Identify the pre-colonial settlers in Lagos
2. Tell why they settled in Lagos state
3. Discuss the impact of the settlers on Lagos
4. Name where the settlers migrated from
5. Compare the different ways of migration of these pre-colonial settlers

Lesson Content

Other People Who Came to Lagos Long Ago

Before the colonial period (before white people came), other groups of people came to live in Lagos:

1. The Bini (Edo People)

• Where they came from: Benin Kingdom (now Edo State)
• Why they came: To trade and find new places to live
• How they came: By walking and using canoes on rivers

2. Tapa (Nupe People)

• Where they came from: Middle Belt area (now Niger State)
• Why they came: To trade and farm
• How they came: By walking long distances

3. Creoles (Sierra Leone)

• Where they came from: Sierra Leone in West Africa
• Why they came: Some were freed slaves looking for new homes
• How they came: By ships across the sea

4. Amaros (Brazilian Returnees)

• Where they came from: Brazil in South America
• Why they came: They were former slaves who wanted to return to Africa
• How they came: By big ships across the Atlantic Ocean

Impact on Lagos

• They brought new skills (building, trading, crafts)
• They brought new foods and cooking styles
• They brought new languages and cultures
• They helped Lagos become a big trading center
• They built new types of houses

Comparison of Migration

• By land: Bini and Tapa people walked
• By sea: Creoles and Amaros came by ships
• Distance: Amaros traveled the farthest (from Brazil)
• Reason: Most came for trade and better life

Multiple Choice Exercise

1. Which group came from Brazil? a) Bini b) Creoles c) Amaros d) Tapa
2. How did the Creoles travel to Lagos? a) By walking b) By ships c) By flying d) By running
3. Why did most of these groups come to Lagos? a) For war b) For trade and better life c) For school d) For vacation
4. Which group came from Edo State? a) Tapa b) Amaros c) Bini d) Creoles
5. Who traveled the farthest to reach Lagos? a) Bini people b) Tapa people c) Creoles d) Amaros

Answers: 1(c), 2(b), 3(b), 4(c), 5(d)