The State Formation Process – SS1 Nigerian History Lesson Note (First Term)

State formation is the process of creating a country with a central government, control over a specific territory, citizens, laws and ways to enforce them, and recognition by other countries. In Nigeria, it began with British colonisation in the late 1800s, passed through the 1914 amalgamation and independence in 1960, and continues today.

The state formation process in Nigeria is the story of how different areas and peoples came together to form the country we know today. It started with British colonisation in the late 1800s and continued until Nigeria became independent in 1960. Even after independence, the building and shaping of the Nigerian state has continued. This lesson explains how Nigeria was formed, the different ideas about how it should be governed, and the key events along the way.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Define state formation and list its features.
• Describe how British colonisation and the 1914 amalgamation led to the creation of Nigeria.
• Compare the models of state formation proposed by Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo.
• Outline the constitutional steps and events that led to independence in 1960.
• Explain how state creation, the Civil War, military rule and resource control shaped the Nigerian state.
• Identify the ongoing challenges to state formation in Nigeria.

What is state formation?

State formation means the process of creating a country with:

• A central government
• Control over a specific territory
• People who are considered citizens
• Laws and ways to enforce them
• Recognition by other countries

In Nigeria, this process was complicated because the area had many different ethnic groups, languages, religions and traditional systems of rule before the British arrived.

How did British colonisation begin the formation of Nigeria?

Pre-colonial Nigeria

Before the British came:

• The area now called Nigeria had over 250 ethnic groups
• There were powerful kingdoms like the Sokoto Caliphate, Benin Kingdom and Oyo Empire
• Each had its own ways of governing, traditions and histories
• There was no single country called “Nigeria”
• People identified with their ethnic group or kingdom, not as “Nigerians”

British arrival and conquest

The British gradually took control:

• Trading started along the coast in the 1800s
• Lagos became a British colony in 1861
• The Royal Niger Company controlled trade in the Niger area
• By 1900, Britain had created the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria and the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria
• British military forces defeated resistance from local kingdoms

What was the Amalgamation of 1914?

The amalgamation was a turning point in Nigerian state formation:

• In 1914, Lord Frederick Lugard joined Northern and Southern Nigeria together
• This created a single colony called Nigeria
• The name “Nigeria” comes from the Niger River that flows through the country
• This was done mainly for British administrative convenience
• Many different peoples were suddenly part of one political unit
• This laid the foundation for today’s Nigeria
• However, the North and South were still administered differently

What different models were proposed for Nigerian state formation?

Ahmadu Bello’s federal model

Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, proposed:

• A federal system with strong regions
• Each region would have significant control over its affairs
• The central government would handle only matters like defence and foreign affairs
• This would respect the differences between Nigeria’s peoples
• The North would maintain its distinct identity and traditions
• This model appealed to those who wanted to preserve regional cultures

Nnamdi Azikiwe’s unitary model

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (later Nigeria’s first President) advocated:

• A strong central government
• Less power for the regions
• One Nigerian identity above ethnic identities
• A more integrated nation
• Equal citizenship for all Nigerians regardless of origin
• This model appealed to those who wanted a more united Nigeria

Obafemi Awolowo’s confederal model

Chief Obafemi Awolowo suggested:

• An arrangement giving even more power to the regions
• Regions based on ethnic groups
• A central government with limited powers
• Each ethnic region would control most of its affairs
• Unity would be voluntary rather than forced
• This model recognised Nigeria’s ethnic diversity

What was the path to independence?

Indirect rule and its impact

The British system of governing shaped Nigeria:

• The British ruled through traditional leaders
• Approaches differed from region to region
• It worked well in the North with its emirate system
• It was less successful in the East, where traditional leadership was more democratic
• It created or deepened differences between regions
• It set patterns that continued after independence

Growth of Nigerian nationalism

Calls for independence strengthened state formation:

• Western-educated Nigerians began demanding more rights
• Newspapers spread ideas about self-government
• Political organisations formed to fight for independence
• The National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) formed in 1944
• The Action Group formed in 1951
• The Northern People’s Congress (NPC) formed in 1949
• These became regional rather than truly national parties

Constitutional development

Step by step, Nigeria moved toward independence:

• Richards Constitution (1946) brought the regions together in one legislative council
• Macpherson Constitution (1951) gave Nigerians more say in government
• Lyttelton Constitution (1954) established a true federal system
• Independence Constitution (1960) created the framework for independent Nigeria
• Each step increased Nigerian control and shaped how the country would be governed

How did state formation continue after independence?

Achievement of independence

Independence was a major milestone in Nigerian state formation:

• On 1 October 1960, Nigeria became an independent country
• Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became the first Prime Minister
• Nnamdi Azikiwe became Governor-General, later President
• Nigeria adopted a federal system with three regions
• This was a compromise between the different models
• The formal colonial phase of state formation was complete
• But the process of building the Nigerian state continued

Republican status

Further development of the Nigerian state:

• In 1963, Nigeria became a republic
• This ended the role of the British monarch as head of state
• Azikiwe became the President
• This completed Nigeria’s break from British political control
• It showed Nigeria’s desire to be truly independent

Creating more states

The country was restructured to address ethnic concerns:

• In 1963, the Mid-Western Region was created from part of the Western Region
• In 1967, General Yakubu Gowon created 12 states out of the 4 regions
• By 1996, Nigeria had 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory
• Each new state creation was meant to:
  1. Give recognition to minority groups
  2. Spread development more evenly
  3. Reduce fears of domination by larger ethnic groups
  4. Bring government closer to the people

What challenges has state formation faced?

The Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)

The Civil War was a serious threat to Nigerian unity:

• The Eastern Region declared independence as “Biafra” in 1967
• It was led by Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu
• The declaration followed the killing of Igbos in the North
• The war lasted 30 months
• About 1 to 3 million people died
• It showed the fragility of the Nigerian state
• After Biafra’s defeat, Nigeria remained one country
• The “No victor, no vanquished” policy helped healing

Military rule

The military shaped Nigerian state formation:

• The first military coup occurred in January 1966
• The military ruled Nigeria for nearly 30 of its first 40 years
• It centralised more power in the federal government
• It created more states
• It suspended and rewrote constitutions
• It moved the capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1991
• Military rule delayed democratic development

Resource control and revenue sharing

Disputes over Nigeria’s wealth affected state formation:

• Oil was discovered in commercial quantities in 1956
• It became Nigeria’s main source of income
• It created debates about who should control resources
• There were arguments over how to share revenue between states
• The derivation principle means states get a percentage of the resources produced there
• Special funds were set up for oil-producing areas
• These issues remain contentious in Nigerian politics

What are the recent developments in state formation?

Return to democracy

Democratic state formation resumed:

• Military rule ended in 1999
• A new constitution established the current democratic system
• The Fourth Republic began with President Olusegun Obasanjo
• Regular elections have been held since 1999
• This is the longest period of continuous civilian rule in Nigeria’s history
• Democracy allowed for more citizen participation
• But political stability remains a challenge

The 1999 Constitution

The 1999 Constitution is the current framework for Nigerian governance:

• It created a presidential system
• It maintained the federal structure with 36 states
• It established a bicameral legislature (Senate and House of Representatives)
• It listed exclusive, concurrent and residual powers
• It created a Federal Character principle to ensure ethnic balance
• It remains controversial, with calls for amendments
• Some argue it centralises too much power

Creation of the Federal Capital Territory

Abuja is a symbol of Nigerian unity:

• Abuja was designated as the new capital in 1976
• The move from Lagos was completed in 1991
• It is located in the centre of Nigeria
• It was meant to be neutral ground away from any major ethnic group
• It is a planned city with modern infrastructure
• It represented a fresh start for the Nigerian state
• It is now the political centre of Nigeria

What challenges does Nigerian state formation face today?

National identity and ethnic identity

Nigerians balance different loyalties:

• Many Nigerians identify more with their ethnic group than with the nation
• The phrase “the Nigerian project” suggests nation-building is ongoing
• National symbols, sports teams and shared experiences help build unity
• Ethnic and religious tensions still affect politics
• Creating a true national identity remains a work in progress

Calls for restructuring

The debate continues about Nigeria’s structure:

• Some call for a return to regional governments
• Others want more states
• Resource control remains contentious
• There are arguments for and against more federal power
• There are debates about the revenue sharing formula
• These debates show that state formation is an ongoing process

Security challenges

Several threats challenge state authority:

• Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast
• Militancy in the Niger Delta
• Farmer-herder conflicts
• Separatist movements like IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra)
• These challenge the state’s control over its territory
• The government’s response affects its legitimacy

Evaluation

1. Define state formation and list its five features.
2. Who joined Northern and Southern Nigeria together in 1914, and why was it done?
3. State the model of government proposed by Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo.
4. Name the four constitutions that moved Nigeria towards independence between 1946 and 1960.
5. Give four reasons why new states were created in Nigeria.

Assignment

1. Explain two ways in which military rule shaped the Nigerian state.
2. List four security challenges that threaten the authority of the Nigerian state today.