*Nigeria *?

Question

I am doing a history project on Nigeria before independence, and I have done everything but I dont know whether imperialism/conlonization has made a positive or negative effect on Nigeria. Can someone help me? Thank You

Answer 1

Depending on the depth of your research, you should pay attention to precolonial arts & culture - the Nok Sculptures/traditions, bronze sculpting in Benin, cloth manufacture and fabric printing; technology - road constructions in the mid-west by the 16/17th century; government - solid and structured political heirarchies in the west and north, plus a true Roman/Greek-style democracy in the east.

Post-colonialization has generally been characterized along the same lines:
arts & culture - still existing & developing into newer forms esp. in the areas of dance and ceremonial celebrations;
technology - links to a wider reach of people with both positives (internet/telecommunications) & negatives (proliferating corruption);
government - continuously acrimonous and characterized by tribal affiliations rather than merit structures (although this trend is changing gradually) with an emphasis on the need for federalism within a holistic democracy and republican government [don't forget the slave trade here].

Has imperialism been generally positive?
Invariably, yes...in some areas. Opening up the country to the comity of nations is probably the greatest positive. The marketing of oil and gas and Nigeria's constantly exalted role in regional affairs are prime examples.

The impact of the slave trade, balkanization of the oil-producing regions and a legacy of dysfunction in the political and economic system are singular negatives.

I would argue that colonialism should have opened up the country to the world; should have continued until a stable system was inculcated whereby a multititude of nations was incorporated into a single nation state; and, should have remained committed to keeping the country founded by its activities in a position to truly appreciate the concept of a global socio-political and economic structure.

Answer 2

There are 2 views to this question - Good or bad. For many, it gave the country a jumpstart towards modernization - and an opportunity to participate in the comity of nations.

Others see it as bad because it distorted the ethnic value systems by imposing laws and rules which were designed to favor and encourage trans-international trade for the colonial masters - taking less cognizance of what was good for the country. This view is further corrobated by its proponents who refer to the current state of the country - where the colonial masters are guided by economic interests rather than humane intentions.
In my view, I think the colonialists departed too early. Nigeria was immature at the point of independence, not having grafted fully the new value systems imported by the colonial masters. This has led to distortions in the governmental structure which forty-plus years later, the country seems yet able to stand on its feet.

Answer 3

You should be sure to include the oil companies affect on Nigeria.

To the above poster Nigeria's current conflicts are entirely due to the major oil companies drilling inland and offshore. Different factions all fight for what they believe to be their fair share, while the current faction leaders horde the profits.

American oil workers get kidnapped and the oil companies pay the ransom and continue the cycle.

Answer 4

negative: Imperialism: just divided the tribes more among eeach other than before and Industrialization made the tribes have more to fight about the bristish should have left the Nigerians alone.

Answer 5

their independance has led to mass corruption in the government and has killed millions in nigeria and all of africa. it has definately had a negative effect because the people who now in charge are concerned with nothing but money and care little for their population. i dont know what it was like beforehand so you will have to compare the then and now and see which is better

Answer 6

nigeriaworld.com/articles/2004/jan/212.html
nigeriaworld.com/articles/2003/sep/253.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_history_of_Nigeria
kady.education.ucsb.edu/netshare/.../imperialism/indeximperialism.html
countrystudies.us/nigeria/53.htm