Nigeria

The struggle

Britain amalgamated northern and southern protectorates in 1914 into a territory of enormous size and diversity, ruled indirectly through emirs and chiefs. Nationalism grew through newspapers, the 1929 Aba women's war, the 1945 general strike and three regional parties. Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960 and a republic in 1963.

Key people

• Nnamdi Azikiwe

  1904–1996

  Newspaper founder and first president

• Obafemi Awolowo

  1909–1987

  Built the Action Group and the western region's schools

• Ahmadu Bello

  1910–1966

  Premier of the north and Sardauna of Sokoto

• Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

  1900–1978

  Led the Abeokuta women's revolt and the women's union