100 facts about nigeria at 100yrs

Nigeria’s Centenary: 100 Years And 100 Interesting
Facts About [MUST READ]
Nigeria Centenary Celebration is a national event organized
by the Federal Republic of Nigeria to celebrate the
Amalgamation of Southern and Northern Nigeria by Lord
Luggard in 1914, exactly a 100 years ago.
Below are 100 interesting facts about the country named
Nigeria:

1. Nigeria, with a 2013 estimated population of
174,507,539 is the most populous Black nation and the
7 th most populated nation in the entire world, trailing
after—from least to most—Pakistan, Brazil, Indonesia,
USA, India and China (1.3bn).
2. Nigerians are 1/5 th the total population of Black
Africa.
3. Nigeria, with 521 languages has the fourth most in the
world. This includes 510 living languages, two second
languages without native speakers and 9 extinct
languages.
4. The Portuguese reached Nigeria in 1472. In 1880 the
British began conquering Nigeria’s south. The north
was conquered by 1903.
5. Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian Nobel laureate. He wrote
‘Telephone Conversation!’
6. With a net worth of $16.1bn, Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote is
the richest Black person in the world.
7. Yoruba and their bloodlines worldwide have the
highest rate of twinning (having twins) in the world.
8. The 2006 Census found Nigerians to be the highest
educated ethnic or racial group in America.
9. The Northern knot, Arewa insignia has Christian
origins, investigation by Ibraheem A. Waziri revealed.
It is adapted from the Church Celtic knot.
10. Pre-tribalism: Malam Umaru Altine, a northern Fulani
man was the first elected Mayor of Enugu, in the east,
and was even re-elected for a second term.
11. Pre-tribalism: John Umoru, from Etsako in today’s Edo
State (Western region) was elected for the House of
Assembly to represent Port Harcourt in the Eastern
Nigerian House of Assembly.
12. The Colonial Cantonments Proclamation of 1914
established ‘foreign quarters,’ ‘Sabon Gari,’
institutionalizing the Sabon Garuruwa system of
‘foreigner’ residential segregation in Nigeria.
13. Crispin Curtis Adeniyi-Jones (1876-1957) who the
street in Ikeja, ‘Adeniyi-Jones’ was named after, was a
medical director from Sierra Leone (a Saro ). As a co-
founder of NNDP, he won one of the Lagos 3 legislative
council seats in 1923 and represented Nigerians for 15
yrs.
14. Saros was the name given to 19 th and 20 th century
‘Creole’ African literati migrants from Sierra Leone.
15. Amaros was the name for repatriated Brazilian and
Cuban slaves; the ‘Aguda’ people of Lagos today. This
Brazilian community includes deportees of the brave
“Malê Revolt” in Portugal.
16. British colonization was not all ‘happy trade,’ but
involved brutal terror against non-cooperation and stiff
opposition. Captain Lord Esme Gordon Lenox, ‘With
The West African Frontier Force,’ describes: “…we
stormed down to Amassana, which was a town
supposed to be friendly and fined them 25 goats and 20
chickens for non-assistance, then returned to Agbeni
and burned half…October 1st was spent in continuance
of yesterdays incendiraism by burning every town or
farm we could see. I shudder to think of how many
houses we have destroyed in these two days. On our
way back to Egbbeddi in the afternoon we passed by
Sabagreia and told our old friend Chief Ijor that most
likely we should burn down Sabagreia the next day…”
17. Nigeria’s population was just 16 million in 1911. It is
projected to hit 444million by 2050, surpassing the US
and becoming the 4 th largest in the world.
18. The population of Lagos today is about more than the
total population of all Eastern states combined.
19. Lagos’ population in 1872 was 60,000. By 2015 it will
be the third largest city in the entire world.
20. Nigeria’s north (719,000 sq. km), occupies 80% of
Nigeria’s land mass. In size it is four times the South.
21. 1 st republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazulike
Amaechi hid former South African President, Nelson
Mandela, for six months in Nigeria to evade his arrest
by the apartheid regime.
22. Gangsta: In 1984 under the disciplinary Buhari/
Idiagbon government, there was a sophisticated
attempt to kidnap and repatriate ex-civilian regime
minister of transport, Umaru Dikko from the UK,
anesthetized in a freight crate, for the embezzlement of
$1bn under the Shagari regime.
23. Valor: Part of the ‘Forgotten Army,’ Nigerians
volunteered to fight with the allied forces among the
81st and 82nd West African Divisions, in the Second
World War.
24. The Adubi war in 1918 was a major uprising by 30,000
Abeokuta Ebga warriors against the colonial
government for colonization, taxation and slave labor.
One British was killed and rail and telegraph lines
destroyed. The British rewarded their soldiers with
medals for quelling the uprising. Awape Adediran a
Molashin/ Kingmaker was imprisoned for his active
involvement.
25. Activist Mrs. Fumilayo Ransome-Kuti travelled widely,
including to the Eastern bloc (Hungary, USSR and
China where she met Mao Zedong). These interactions
angered Nigeria, Britain and America. America called
her a communist and refused her a U.S. Visa.
26. Mrs. Fumilayo Ransome-Kuti, legendary Fela’s
mother, was one of the delegates that negotiated
Nigeria’s independence in Britain.
27. There was once a time when the north was the most
literate part of Nigeria. According to Lord Luggard,
there were 25,000 Qur’anic schools with about 250,000
pupils in the north.
28. Sardauna of Sokoto said he preferred foreign workers
to Igbo’s because he felt Igbo’s are domineering. This
was while Nigeria existed as regions with regional
administrations.
29. Kaduna Nzeogwu killed Sardauna in Nigeria’s first
military coup.
30. In 1966, a mischievous Igbo owned bakery allegedly
made a loaf of bread with a label that depicted
Nzeogwu as the Saint in the ‘Saint George and the
Dragon’ medieval tale, killing Sardauna, the ‘dragon,’
this labeled bread provoked deadly anti-Igbo riots.
31. Idrîs Aloma (1571-1603) King of Kanem-Bornu went
on pilgrimage and came across firearms. He brought
some guns back, along with Turks to train his army on
how to use them.
32. Travel Visa was not required to travel to the United
Kingdom in 1975.
33. A brand new car sold for N2000 in 1975. A ticket to
London was less than N100 in 1975.
34. In 1976, 75 kobo exchanged for one British Pound and
60 kobo for one US dollar.
35. During the Shagari administration in 1985, N7 was
exchanging for one dollar.
36. Nigeria took its first loan from the World Bank in 1977.
37. Obasanjo’s first term and Babangida’s regime oversaw
the weakening of the naira.
38. General Buhari and Idiagbon rejected IMF demands
that Nigeria devalue its currency.
39. Babangida’s coup in 1985 was invaluable to the
colonialists suspected to have been in support as it led
to Nigeria accepting SAP restrictions, loans and
crippling foreign monetary conditions.
40. Nigeria has 5 of the 10 richest pastors in the entire
world, with net worth’s according to Forbes, from
$10-150 million. They are Pastors, David Oyedepo, E.
A. Adeboye, Chris Oyakhilome, Mathew Ashimolowo
and Temitope Joshua.
41. Nigeria has the 4th highest number of poor, living
under a dollar a day in the entire world. 100 million are
‘destitute’ according to figures from the NBS (National
Bureau of Statistics).
42. Nigeria, the 3rd biggest economy in Africa is 160th out
of 177 countries in HDI (Human Development Index).
43. Nigeria has the highest paid legislators in the entire
world.
44. Based on amount squandered, of an income of $81
billion per year, Nigeria is the most corrupt nation in
the world.
45. The nation with the most defrauded people, aka
‘mugus,’ in history, is Nigeria. Successive
administrations continue to loot a greater percentage
of the nation’s wealth, running in hundreds of billions
of dollars.
46. Nigeria in 2013 was rated the worst country to be born
based on welfare and prosperity projection.
47. Aliko Dangote funded Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua
and Jonathan’s 4 th republic campaigns. Buhari
rejected funding from Dangote.
48. Usman dan Fodio (1754–1817) was trained in
classical Islamic science, philosophy and theology and
wrote over 100 books on society, culture, religion,
governance and politics. He could only declare Jihad
when he was made leader in Gudu {In Islam you can
only declare Jihad if you are an official Muslim
leader}.
49. The Borno Empire rejected Dan Fodio’s colonization
jihad. Al-Hajj Muhammad al-Amîn ibn Muhammad al-
Kânemî not only militarily defended his Empire, but
also did so by religious, theological, legal and political
debates, challenging why a Muslim Empire should
colonize another.
50. Kano history has it that a great warrior princess
Magajiya Maimuna led her cavalry from Zaria to
conquer Kumbwada.
51. Kumbwada in Kano today is ruled by Queen Hajiya
Haidzatu Ahmed, who presides over up to half a
million subjects. A throne curse which makes men sick
and die, keeps males off the throne. {Sadly, the woman
ruled Kumbwada is the least funded chiefdom in
Nigeria}.
52. Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) is Nigeria’s leading trade
partner in Africa.
53. There are several Nigerian officials in the government
of English speaking The Gambia.
54. There is a Nigerian origin, Yoruba chief in Accra. Chief
Brimah is the only foreign Chief with a seat in the
Ghanaian traditional council.
55. Cross River State: The Ejagham (Ekoi) people in the
Southeast are believed to have originated the Nsibidi
(Nsibiri) writing system which later spread to the Efik,
Igbo, Ibibio, Efut, Banyang and Annag peoples.
56. Discovered in 1928, Nigeria’s western region hosts
West Africa’s oldest civilization; the Nok civilization
which flourished between 1000 BC and 300 BC. {Nok
sculptures recently went on display disappointingly in
Germany (not Africa).}
57. Finished in 1460 the Benin Iya or moat is a historic
world defense wonder. Spanning 1,200 kilometers with
walls as high as 18 metres, it is the world’s largest
archeological structure.
58. Sungbo’s Eredo in Ogun state (6°49′N, 3°56′E) is a
100 mile system of up to 70 ft trenches and walls
around Ijebu-Ode. It’s Queen, Bilkisu Sungbo has been
attributed to the Biblical Queen Sheeba (Queen Bilkis in
Quran).
59. Lord Lugard estimated in 1904 that there were 170
walled towns still in existence in the whole of just the
Kano province of northern Nigeria. He described Kano:
‘Commercial emporium of the western Sudan.’ Of its
wall, he said, ‘I have never seen, nor even imagined,
anything like it in Africa.’
60. Osun: Queen Luwo, the twenty-first Ooni (ruler) of Ile-
Ife paved the streets with quartz pebbles—and broken
pottery, in 1000AD. The architecture had decorations
that originated from Ancient America.
61. Borno: The capital city of Kanem-Borno, Ngazargamu,
was one of the largest cities in 1658 AD; the
metropolis housed “about quarter of a million people”
and had 660 well planned, wide and unbending streets.
62. In 1246 AD the Kanemi of Borno created a sensation in
Tunisia when he sent a gift of a giraffe to Al-Mustapha,
king of Tunis.
63. Sokoto: Two-story buildings with constructions glazed
with tsoluwa , (laterite gravel), 10 mile circumference
city walls, some as high as 20 feet, is how 16th
century Surame, a Sokoto metropolis created by empire
ruler, Muhammadu Kanta Sarkin Kebbi, was. UNESCO
describes Surame as “one of the wonders of human
history, creativity and ingenuity.”
64. Kano: In 1851, this city, one of the largest in Africa,
made 10 million sandal pairs and 5 million hides for
export.
65. Kebbi: Nigeria’s Sorko Sea lords of Kebbi state, made
ships (Kanta) which were used for far away
expeditions, including the 1311 AD, 2000 ship, famous
voyage of Songhai Empire’s Mansa Abubakari II to the
America’s, decades before Columbus.
66. Yobe: The oldest discovered boat in Africa, and
3 rd oldest on the world, the 8500 yr old Dufuna canoe
was discovered by a Fulani herdsman in 1987 in
Dufuna village, Fune LGA.
67. Ondo: Confusing evolution scientists, the 13,000 yr old
Iwo-Eleru cave skull, the oldest human fossil remains
found in West Africa, has ‘ancient’ (140,000 yr old
Laetoli) features, yet lived in more modern times.
68. Benin Kingdom: The high quality and highly
sophisticated bronze work of the Benin Kingdom dating
as far back as the 13 th century is a world wonder.
Great works in iron, wood, ivory, and terra cotta
products also highlight the empire’s history.
69. Benin Kingdom: Lourenco Pinto, captain of a ship that
carried missionaries to Warri in 1619, described Benin
kingdom, ‘Great Benin where the king resides is larger
than Lisbon, all the streets run straight and as far as
the eyes can see….’
70. Akwa Ibom: King Jaja of Opobo (1821–1891) founded
Opobo city-state in 1867 and shipped palm oil to
Britain independently of British middle men.
71. Ancient Greeks appear to have Nigerian roots as
supported by the Benin Haplogroup or Haplogroup 19.
According to Jide Uwechia, ‘The Benin Haplotype
(which originates from Nigeria, West Africa) accounts
for HbS associated chromosomes in Sicily Northern
Greece.’
72. Ilorin’s Oba Afonja utilized Fulani warriors to help
rebel against the Oyo Empire. The warriors after
defeating Oyo took over Ilorin and Sheikh Alimi, their
leader became the first Emir.
73. Much of north Nigeria was part of the Songhai Empire.
Muhammad Kanta annexed Kebbi and other states
between 1512 and 1517.
74. The Obasanjo military regime converted Nigeria from a
Parliamentary system to a Presidential system of
government.
75. Much of traditional pre-colonial Nigeria operated a
parliamentary form of government. The council of
elders could make or impeach the King.
76. General Johnson Thomas Umurakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi on
24 May 1966, with Decree No. 34, dissolved Nigeria’s
regions, creating provinces. He unified Regional Public
Services under a single Commission. Riots were
provoked in Kano and mutiny in Abeokuta; eventually
there was a coup.
77. In 1967 Gowon split the four regions into 12 states.
78. Gowon’s Decree No. 8 of 1967 after the Aburi
conference restored Nigeria as a confederacy.
79. Late President Murtala Muhammed’s dad, Pam Azatus
Iyok was from Dogon-Gaba, near Vom in Plateau state,
Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Pam became a Muslim and
married Ramat from Kano. Murtala Muhammed’s wife,
Hafsat Ajoke was a Yoruba lady.
80. Ex- President Yakubu Gowon from Jos state (Middle
Belt) is a Christian. General Obasanjo was his Army
chief who helped him defeat the Biafra attempted
secession from 1967-1970.
81. Nigeria has been ruled for 30 years by Christians (25
years if Azikiwe is excluded).
82. Mujahid Asari Dokubo, the leader of the southern
Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)
and the most vocal enemy of the north, is a Muslim.
83. Nigeria is not roughly divided between a Muslim north
and a Christian South. The far north, east and far south
do have concentrations, but the rest of the nation
defies such demarcations.
84. In the Southwest, Osun, Lagos, Ondo and Oyo have a
higher population of Muslims than Christians
according to counts. Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau in
the north have Christian majorities.
85. According to the Senate joint committee, Nigeria’s
chief terrorist leader, Abubakar Shekau is not a
Nigerian; he hails from Niger republic. {Shekau is
believed by security services to be deceased.}
86. According to current demographics, after Hausa-
Fulani (29%), Yoruba (21%), Igbo (18%) and Ijaw (10%)
comes Kanuri (4%) and then Ibibio (3.5%) and Tiv
(2.5%).
87. Not really a northern caucus, but it was late M. K. O.
Abiola that orchestrated and sponsored the Buhari /
Idiagbon coup and then again the Babangida coup
overthrow of Buhari. –Shagari memoir, “Beckoned to
Serve;” Babangida, “Karl Maier – Midnight in
Nigeria.” (Max Siollun)
88. The leading caucus is basically a childhood friendship:
President Obasanjo was childhood friends with
President Babangida, President Abacha and
Commander Danjuma.
89. President Babangida was childhood friends with
President Abdulsalam.
90. President Obasanjo graduated Abdulsalam who later
became President and went on to hand over power to
democratically arranged President Obasanjo.
91. Under the Presidential system, Nigerians have had 7
years total Northern rule and 11+ years Southern rule.
92. Total civilian rule, Parliamentary and Presidential,
Nigeria has had 12 years Northern and 11+ years
Southern rule.
93. 6 coups is the highest number of any nation in Africa.
Nigeria along with Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Uganda and
Mauritania are the nations with 6 coups.
94. The Biafra war included a ‘Mid West invasion.’ The
Midwest was either a battle field or in Biafra’s sights—
Dr. Nowamagbe A. Omoigui relays.
95. The Biafra 12 th battalion headed by Lt Col Victor
Adebukunola Banjo captured Benin and set out to
capture Ibadan and Lagos.
96. The Biafra 13 th battalion, led by Ivenso entered Kwara,
now Kogi and captured Okene, Atanai and Iloshi.
97. Cameroon was an administrative part of Nigeria in
1945, hence the NCNC party (National Council of
Nigeria and the Cameroons). Towards independence
the UN mandated British held former German territory,
south Cameroon opted to join French Cameroon and
not Nigeria.
98. J.C. Vaughn, Ernest Ikoli, H.O. Davies, Obafemi
Awolowo and Samuel Akinsanya founded the Nigerian
Youth Movement (NYM) in 1934 to promote national
unity particularly between Yoruba and Igbo.
99. Azikiwe left Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) because
he claimed the organization had been seized by
Yoruba’s and it discriminated against Igbo’s including
himself.
100. Oyo defeats Ashanti: In 1764 the Ashanti army
marched on Dahomey, Togo. At Atakpamé, the Ashanti
army was ambushed and sacked by Dahomean infantry
and female elite soldiers allied with forces from the Oyo
Empire. Ashanti King Kusi Obodum was destooled after
the defeat.
Nigeria’s century compilation was created as a historical
snapshot of peculiar events, for our benefit and that of
Nigeria’s younger generations. It was compiled to the best
of our ability and influenced by our learning, recollection and
prejudices. We invite Nigerians to collect and share with us
more important and unique events that define 100 years of
Nigeria.