Major Centralised States In Pre-Colonial Nigeria JSS1 Nigerian History Lesson Note

Pre-colonial Nigeria refers to the period before the rule of the white men i.e. before colonialism. Examples of pre-colonial centralized states were: 

1. Hausa States 
2. Kanem Borno 
3. Nupe Kingdom 
4. Oyo Empire 
5. Igala Kingdom 
6. Benin Empire 
7. Niger Delta City States 
8. Calabar 

THE HAUSA STATES 

There was a Jihad war led by Usman Dan Fodio from 1804 to 1810. After the war, fourteen Hausa states were merged and then split into two sections; Eastern and Western (the sections were called Caliphates). 

The Eastern Caliphate had Sokoto as its capital and it included states like present-day Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Yola and Zaria while the Western Caliphate had Gwandu as its capital and included states like Argungun, Ilorin and Kontagora. Usman Dan Fodio made himself the head of the whole Hausa land. He was referred to as the Sarkin Muslim. His son; Bello, was made the ruler of the Eastern Caliphate while Usman’s brother; Abdullah, was made the ruler of the Western Caliphate. 

They were both referred to as Emirs. The two caliphates were also sub-divided into smaller segments called emirates. This was done so that their administration would be easy. Each emirate was headed by emirs (lesser emirs) who were chosen only with the approval of the Emirs (of Sokoto or Gwandu). 

The Emirs in each emirate had assistance from some officials. The officials were: 

1. Waziri: the prime minister or administrative officer 
2. Madawki: the commander of the army 
3. Dogari: the head of the police 
4. Galadima: in charge of the capitals 
5. Maaji: the keeper of money and the treasury (treasurer) 
6. Sarkin Ruwa: the river-fishing official 
7. Sarkin Pawa: the head of the butchers 
8. Sarkin Fada: the person in charge of the administration of the palace. 

Each emirate was also divided into districts. An official called the Hakimi headed each district. The emir also appointed him. The duties of the Hakimi included: 

1. Overseeing the affairs of the district. 
2. Maintaining peace and order in the district. 
3. Collection of taxes. The taxes include Zakat, Jizyah (law tax) and Jangali (cattle tax). Hakimi appointed village heads who helped him in carrying out his duties. 

The Emirs of the Caliphates had almost unlimited powers and the judiciary system was based on Sharia law. Alkali judges administered the laws.

KANEM BORNO EMPIRE 

The Kanem Borno empire was founded by a prince called Kisra and his followers who were migrants from Eastern Africa to the east of Lake Chad. The empire existed in a region which today includes the modern-day countries of Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria. 

The empire consisted of different people. Some of them are: 

1. The So-these were the original inhabitants of the empire. 
2. The Zaghawa – they were nomadic people who emigrated from eastern Africa and settled to the east of the Lake. 
3. The Kanuri-they were also an important group of people in the empire. 
4. The Bulala-they arrived late at the region but they were also part of the kingdom. 

The Zaghawa were the first rulers of the empire before they were driven out and the Saifawa rulers took over. The Saifawas enlarged their territories by conquest and marriage into the ruling families of subordinate states. Later, between the 12th and 14th centuries, the Saifawas were forced to move across Lake Chad into the town of Borno in Nigeria. This is why it is known as the Kanem-Borno empire. 

The king of Kanem was referred to as Mai. Twelve members of the royal family (maina) and dignitaries (kaigana) who formed the state council assisted the Mai. 

The dignitaries included: 

• Kaigama-the commander-in-chief of the army and warden of the south.
• Mestrema – the keeper of the royal household and the warden of the east. 
• Yerima – the warden of the north. 
• Galadima – the warden of the west. The members of the royal household included: 
• The Mai – the king 
• The Gumsu- the head of his wives 
• The Magira – the official mother 
• The Magara – his sister 
• The Groma – his eldest son and official heir 
• The Maina and Mairam – the other sons and daughters 
• The Maidugu – the grandson 
• The Chima Kura – the fiefholder 
• The Chima Kura – the controller of the administration The political administration of Kanem-Borno was a centralized one as the Mai had absolute power in the empire 

THE NUPE KINGDOM 

The Nupe Kingdom The people of Nupe are majorly found in Niger State in Nigeria. They are divided into different subgroups including Batau, Kyedye, Eghagi, Ebe and Benu. Some Nupe live outside the group’s boundaries too. They are scattered over several states in West-Central and Northern Nigeria. The people of Nupe live in a large village called Ezi. They are mostly farmers of staple crops like millet, guinea corn, yams, groundnuts and rice. They are also hunters. 

In the pre-colonial political organization, the Etsu was the head of government. He carried out measures of administration; he is responsible for law and order. The Etsu was chosen from within any of the sub-sections into which the inner city (Bida) was divided. The Etsu (or Etsuzhi) was very powerful. His words were law. His powers were checked or restricted by some traditions and of law.