The history of Nigeria can be traced to prehistoric settlers living in the area as early as 11,000BC. Numerous ancient African civilizations settled in the region that is today Nigeria. An example of one of the civilizations that settles in Nigeria is the Nri Kingdom. Islam reached Nigeria through the Hausa States in the 11th century AD. The Songhai Empire also occupied part of the region.
Nigeria was colonized by Britain in 1885, and became a British protectorate in 1901. Colonization lasted until 1960, when an independence movement succeeded in gaining Nigeria its independence. Nigeria was officially founded in October 1, 1960.
Nigeria first became a republic when it was founded, but succumbed to military rule in 1966 after a military coup. General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi took power. A separatist movement later formed the Republic of Biafra in 1967, leading to the three year Nigerian Civil War. Nigeria became a republic again after a new constitution was written in 1977. The republic was short lived, being overthrown by Major General Muhammadu Buhari in 1983.
He was later overthrown and a new republic was founded. In 1993, the republic was dissolved again by Sani Abacha. Abacha later died in 1998 and General Abdulsalami Abubakar took power. A fourth republic was later established in 1999 and military rule ended. Today, the president of Nigeria is Goodluck Johnathan, who governs a population of 168.8 million people. Nigeria is currently in the process with rebuilding Nigeria's petroleum-based economy and fighting the Islamic militant group Boko Haram.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
NIGERIA HISTORY
