Archaeological research has shown that people were already living in southwestern Nigeria (specifically Iwo-Eleru) as early as 9000 BC and perhaps earlier at Ugwuelle-Uturu (Okigwe) in southeastern Nigeria, where microliths were used.
Smelting furnaces at Taruga dating from the 4th century BC provide the oldest evidence of metalworking in Archaeology.
Microlithic and ceramic industries were also developed by savanna pastoralists from at least the 4th millennium BC and were continued by subsequent agricultural communities.
In the south, hunting and gathering gave way to subsistence farming in the first millennium BC and the cultivation of staple foods.
Kainji Dam excavations revealed ironworking by the 2nd century BC. The transition from Neolithic times to the Iron Age apparently was achieved without intermediate bronze production.
Others suggest the technology moved west from the Nile Valley, although the Iron Age in the Niger River valley and the forest region appears to predate the introduction of metallurgy in the upper savanna by more than 800 years.
The earliest identified iron-using Nigerian culture is that of the Nok people who thrived between approximately 900 BC and 200 AD on the Jos Plateau in northeastern Nigeria.
Information is lacking from the first millennium AD following the Nok ascendancy, but by the 2nd millennium AD there was active trade from North Africa through the Sahara to the forest, with the people of the savanna acting as intermediaries in exchanges of various goods.
Early Kingdoms Before 1500
The early independent Kingdoms and states that make the present day Nigeria due to British colonialism are (in alphabetical order):
This is a list of people who shaped and continue to shape Nigeria:
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| Nigeria on African map |
Microlithic and ceramic industries were also developed by savanna pastoralists from at least the 4th millennium BC and were continued by subsequent agricultural communities.
In the south, hunting and gathering gave way to subsistence farming in the first millennium BC and the cultivation of staple foods.
Kainji Dam excavations revealed ironworking by the 2nd century BC. The transition from Neolithic times to the Iron Age apparently was achieved without intermediate bronze production.
Others suggest the technology moved west from the Nile Valley, although the Iron Age in the Niger River valley and the forest region appears to predate the introduction of metallurgy in the upper savanna by more than 800 years.
The earliest identified iron-using Nigerian culture is that of the Nok people who thrived between approximately 900 BC and 200 AD on the Jos Plateau in northeastern Nigeria.
Information is lacking from the first millennium AD following the Nok ascendancy, but by the 2nd millennium AD there was active trade from North Africa through the Sahara to the forest, with the people of the savanna acting as intermediaries in exchanges of various goods.
Early Kingdoms Before 1500
The early independent Kingdoms and states that make the present day Nigeria due to British colonialism are (in alphabetical order):
- Benin Kingdom
- Borgu Kingdom
- Calabar Kingdom
- Fulani Empire
- Hausa Kingdoms
- Kanem Bornu Empire
- Kwararafa Kingdom
- Nri Kingdom
- Nupe Kingdom
- Oyo Kingdom
- Songhai Empire
This is a list of people who shaped and continue to shape Nigeria:
- Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther
- Dr Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe
- Chief Awolowo
- Pa Akintola
- King Boy of Brass (remembered for Akassa raid)
- Tafawa Balewa
- Herbert Macauly
- Jaja of Opobo
- George Topman Goldie - founder Royal Niger Company
- Mary Slessor
- Lord Lugard
- Mungo Park
- John Lander
- Richard Lander
- Gani Fawehinmi
- Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida
- Gen Sani Abacha
- Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
- Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua
- Dr Ebele Goodluck Jonathan
- Alhaji Namadi Sambo
Nigeria has 3 major ethnic groups - Ibo, Hausa and Yoruba. I have seen Hausa kingdom in the list above, but where is Ibo and Yoruba?
ReplyDeleteThe Ibos are descended from the Nri Kingdom, although studies show they may have links to the present-day Jews. This topic is discussed elsewhere on this site.
ReplyDeleteClick the 'Nri Kingdom' link above.