Pre-Colonial History

Explore Nigeria’s pre-colonial history, marked by flourishing kingdoms, enduring traditions, and defining events that laid the foundations of the country.

Story of Arhuanran, the Giant Benin Prince Who Could Uproot Trees With Bare Hands

Prince Idubor, also known as Arhuanran (sometimes spelt Aruanran), would have been the Oba (King) of Benin as at the…
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Oba Orompoto – The first Female Alaafin of Oyo

Oba Orompoto is the first and perhaps the only female Alaafin of Oyo. She was known for her bravery and…
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Archaeology: A View of Nigeria Two Thousand Years Ago

The Eurocentric view of the African past has derailed the continent of her values that lie in history. Not until…
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Comprehensive History of Ilorin and the Reign of Afonja

Ilorin Central Mosque Before we begin with the history of Ilorin, here are few details that should be known. Ilorin…
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The Arrival of Europeans In West Africa

The history of West Africa which had hitherto been mainly events committed in West Africa by the West Africans themselves…
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Igbo Pre-Colonial Political System/Administration

The Igbo pre-colonial political system/administration was described by scholars as acephalous, a term which means leaderless, headless or chiefless. This…
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Hausa/Fulani Pre-colonial Political Administration

Fulani took over the political leadership of Hausa states in the early 19th century. After the great Jihad war (1804-1810)…
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History of Emotan – The Market Woman Who Saved A Benin King From Being Murdered

Who was Emotan of Benin? Emotan was born between 1380 and 1400; she hailed from Eyaen village, close to the…
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Moremi Ajasoro: History of the Brave Queen of Ile-Ife

The story of Moremi Ajasoro of Ile-Ife is not in any way new to Yoruba people as well as people…
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The Origin and Meaning of Kanuri

Kanuri is a dialect continuum spoken by some four million people, as of 1987, mainly in North-Eastern Nigeria, Western Niger,…
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The Original History Of Ibadan – City Of Brown Roofs

Brief Details of Ibadan Before we begin with the history of Ibadan, let us set some facts straight. Ibadan, (pronounced…
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The True and Sad Story of How Afonja Lost Ilorin and Its Kingship to Fulani People

Pencil Guess Drawing of Are-Ona-Kakanfo Afonja The Yoruba and Fulani inhabitants of Ilorin, the present capital of Kwara State, Nigeria,…
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The Reign of Bashorun Gaa in Old Oyo Empire

When Alaafin Labisi took over the throne from the previous (late) Alaafin, Onisile, in 1750, he appointed Gaa as his…
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The History of Ogbomoso Town in Oyo State

The town of Ogbomoso lies between Ilorin and Oyo Town in the south western region of Nigeria. The town was…
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The Legend, Mysteries and History of Dala Hill, the Pride of Kano

The history of the Dala community and Kano cannot be told without including the significance and importance of the magnificent…
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