What Britain Did to Nigeria: A Short History of Conquest and Rule

Nigerian colonization was presented as a noble civilizing mission by British officials, but Max Siollun offers an unromanticized history that argues that it had few benevolent intentions and many unjust outcomes. It may have ended slavery and human sacrifice, but it was accompanied by extreme violence, ethnic and religious identity was exploited, and longstanding legal and social practices were altered. The aftershocks of this colonial meddling are still being felt decades after independence, and Britain has left many of Nigeria's crises for Nigerians to resolve.

Format: Hardback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2021
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

Nigerian colonization has been a subject of debate for many years, with most accounts written by British officials presenting it as a noble civilizing mission to rid Africans of barbaric superstition and corrupt tribal leadership. However, Max Siollun offers a bold rethink of this history, arguing that colonialism had few benevolent intentions but many unjust outcomes. While it may have ended slavery and human sacrifice, it was accompanied by extreme violence, the exploitation of ethnic and religious identity to maintain control, and the forceful remolding of longstanding legal and social practices that permanently altered the culture and internal politics of indigenous communities. The aftershocks of this colonial meddling are still being felt decades after independence, with popular narratives often suggesting that the economic and political turmoil are homegrown. However, the reality is that Britain created many of Nigeria's crises and has left them behind for Nigerians to resolve. This is a definitive, head-on confrontation with Nigeria's experience under British rule, showing how it forever changed the country, perhaps cataclysmically.

Introduction:
Nigerian colonization has been a subject of debate for many years, with most accounts written by British officials presenting it as a noble civilizing mission to rid Africans of barbaric superstition and corrupt tribal leadership. However, Max Siollun offers a bold rethink of this history, arguing that colonialism had few benevolent intentions but many unjust outcomes. While it may have ended slavery and human sacrifice, it was accompanied by extreme violence, the exploitation of ethnic and religious identity to maintain control, and the forceful remolding of longstanding legal and social practices that permanently altered the culture and internal politics of indigenous communities. The aftershocks of this colonial meddling are still being felt decades after independence, with popular narratives often suggesting that the economic and political turmoil are homegrown. However, the reality is that Britain created many of Nigeria's crises and has left them behind for Nigerians to resolve. This is a definitive, head-on confrontation with Nigeria's experience under British rule, showing how it forever changed the country, perhaps cataclysmically.

The Noble Civilizing Mission:
Most accounts of Nigerian colonization were written by British officials, presenting it as a noble civilizing mission to rid Africans of barbaric superstition and corrupt tribal leadership. This skewed writing of history has led to a sense of Empire nostalgia among many Nigerians today, who view the colonial period through rose-tinted glasses. However, Max Siollun challenges this narrative, arguing that colonialism had few benevolent intentions but many unjust outcomes.

One of the most significant injustices of colonialism was the exploitation of ethnic and religious identity. British officials cynically exploited these divisions to maintain control over the indigenous communities, using them as tools to divide and rule. This led to the marginalization of certain groups and the suppression of their cultural practices and traditions.

Another unjust outcome of colonialism was the forceful remolding of longstanding legal and social practices. British officials introduced new laws and regulations that were often at odds with the traditional customs and beliefs of the indigenous communities. This led to the erosion of traditional justice systems and the suppression of indigenous rights and freedoms.

The economic and political turmoil that Nigeria experienced after independence can also be attributed to the legacy of colonialism. Britain created many of Nigeria's crises, including the division of the country into two regions, the oil crisis, and the military dictatorship. These crises have had a lasting impact on Nigeria's development, perpetuating poverty, inequality, and political instability.

The Legacy of Colonialism:
The legacy of colonialism is still felt in Nigeria today. Many Nigerians still suffer from the effects of colonialism, including poverty, inequality, and political instability. The exploitation of ethnic and religious identity has led to the marginalization of certain groups and the suppression of their cultural practices and traditions. The forceful remolding of longstanding legal and social practices has eroded traditional justice systems and suppressed indigenous rights and freedoms.

The economic and political turmoil that Nigeria experienced after independence can also be attributed to the legacy of colonialism. Britain created many of Nigeria's crises, including the division of the country into two regions, the oil crisis, and the military dictatorship. These crises have had a lasting impact on Nigeria's development, perpetuating poverty, inequality, and political instability.

In conclusion, Nigerian colonization was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that had few benevolent intentions but many unjust outcomes. The exploitation of ethnic and religious identity, the forceful remolding of longstanding legal and social practices, and the economic and political turmoil that Nigeria experienced after independence can all be attributed to the legacy of colonialism. It is important to recognize the impact of colonialism on Nigeria's history and to work towards a more inclusive and equitable society that respects the cultural and political diversity of the country.

Weight: 642g
Dimension: 150 x 222 x 44 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787383845