THE 1914 AMALGAMATION: AN ALBATROSS TO THE BUILDING OF A NIGERIAN NATION

WRITTEN BY:

OKOFU AWELE

A student of History and International Studies (DELSU)

THE 1914 AMALGAMATION: AN ALBATROSS TO THE BUILDING OF A NIGERIAN NATION

The entity called Nigeria today has an estimated population of over 200 million peoples. Before the 20th century, Nigeria was occupied by distinct peoples with different religious and cultural history, occupying different geographical locations. These ethnic groups were made up of independent polities formed by people of amazing cultures. The North was dominated by the Hausa/Fulani who were predominantly Muslims. The Western region was dominated by the Yoruba who had mixed religion but were more of Christians. While the Eastern region mainly inhabited by the Igbos, were predominantly Christians. Besides these three major ethnic groups mentioned above, there existed over 250 ethnic minority groups that constitute the Nigeria Federation as at today. These distinct groups engaged in inter-communal relationships which were mostly based on trade. They developed at their own pace, but however; they also engaged in wars of conquests and other minor conflicts amongst them because anywhere two or more persons exist clash of interest may be inevitable.
     However, as time went on, these peoples were cajoled, manipulated, and forced under colonial rule and their colonial masters saw it right to merge them for administrative and economic exploitative conveniences.
In 1906, the colony of Lagos which was annexed in 1861 was merged with the Southern Protectorate.
The then British Times Newspaper reporter, Miss Flora Shaw, who later became the wife of Lord Lugard suggested that the new colony should be called 'Nigeria' meaning 'Niger Area' in an essay that first appeared in THE TIMES on 8 January 1897. The British colonial administration adopted the name and in 1914, Lord Frederick Lugard the then Governor-General amalgamated the Southern and Northern protectorates into a single entity and called it Nigeria.
     However, the amalgamation was not aimed at uniting these peoples but was for their own selfish interest. Ikelegbe, A. in his book Politics and Government: An Introductory and Comparative Analysis (1995) stated that: 'The amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria in 1914 marked a turning point in the evolution of the Nigerian states. The end result was not to actually have a new territory per se, but was for economic exploitation'.
 The union up till now has been highly criticized and pointed at, as the major problem of Nigeria. Historians, Political thinkers amongst other intellectuals, believe it was the joining together, FORCEFULLY, of the rich and wealthy woman of the South and the poor man of the North. The union was not totally accepted by the peoples because they were not involved in its birth, which is why the union has been faced with severe criticism from the onset to date.
A critical understanding of the term amalgamation within the context under view, will avail us more insight on the subject of discussion. The Encyclopedia Britannica defines amalgamation as: "the uniting of two or more entities to form a new entity which could be in terms of business organization with similar or different products and services. Politically, it could be a combination of two or more nations, cultures, and civilizations to form a single entity or sovereign nation". Furthermore, narrowing it down; Charles Ikedikwa an award-winning journalist of blessed memories, in his work titled; 'Amalgamation of Nigeria: Was it a mistake?' defines it as, "the fusing or merging of two entities or bodies into one with the result that both will cease to exist and are replaced by the new body or entity".
From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that the colonial masters failed after the amalgamation, to imbue the spirit of oneness, unity, and love into these peoples from different historical and cultural backgrounds. In Nigeria today, people tend to pay more loyalty to their various ethnic groups, religions, etc before the country. "We see ourselves as Igbos, Hausas, Yorubas, and not as NIGERIANS.
This is why Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nigeria's foremost federalist who played a pivotal role in the Independence of this nation,  wrote in one of his works; 'Paths to Nigerian freedom' published in 1947 that:
            Nigeria is not a nation. It is a mere geographical expression.
       There are no 'Nigerians' in the same sense as there exists the 'English',
       'Welsh', or 'French'. The word 'Nigerian' is merely a distinctive appellation to distinguish those who live within the boundaries of Nigeria and those who do not.
 Still, the boundary adjustment which accompanied the amalgamation left geographical imbalance between the North and the South, thereby giving the North an edge over others. Other developments which followed this terrible event called (amalgamation) have left negative footprints which are still being felt in present-day Nigeria. The effects of the amalgamation also brought about ethnic wrangling, disunity amongst tribes and sharp religious differences amongst the people of Nigeria.
In an occasion, Margery Perham a famous British Historian, concluded that: " the day when Nigeria, being a name written on a map by Sir George Goldie and an administrative framework put together by Lord Lugard becomes a true federation, still more a nation, is still far away".
The British during colonialism demonstrated a favorable bias towards the North. They sided the North because their traditional political structure was more pliant to political institutions, unlike the Southerners. One of the most important features of the British policy was the effort made to preserve the Muslim North in its original condition of Islamic purity. This was done by excluding Christian missionaries, limiting Western Education, and by minimizing the contact between the Northern people and the more sophisticated and nationally conscious Southerners temporarily resident in the North. All these aspects of British policy and others perpetuated the individuality and separateness of Nigerians.
     The results of the ill-fated marriage are factors that have bred ethnicity chauvinism, regional cleavages, and hatred in the daily lives of contemporary Nigerians.
From 1914 till date, Nigeria can hardly show any tangible achievement in terms of collective development. More than a hundred years after amalgamation, the basis of our union is still being questioned. We have lost our focus and the architecture of nation-building has been abandoned. It is this systematic decay, hopelessness, and injustice that have given birth to insurgency, militancy, ethnic rivalries among others. Since the purpose of the amalgamation was for administrative convenience and to protect the British economic interest and facilitate the exploitation of the nation's resources.  The Nigerian politicians who took over power from the British continued from where the latter (British) stopped, thereby making the state an instrument to perpetuate corrupt practices of all sorts.
It is as a result of these evil practices that secession have become a necessity in the minds of most citizens especially those from the Eastern part of the country who feel they are being increasingly marginalized by their northern counterpart.
Worthy of mention is Chinua Achebe the father of modern African writing, who after dissecting the problems of Nigeria concluded it was a matter of leadership.
The problems of Nigeria which can be traceable to the 1914 Event can be redesigned with the vital supporting pillars of fairness, justice, and equity across board, alongside good governance.
However, certain measures can be taken to correct the ills caused by the event of 1914. Vital of which is, A PEOPLE ORIENTED RESTRUCTURING. This can be achieved by invoking for a Sovereign National Conference encompassing chosen representatives of all existing ethnic groups in Nigeria. Here an agreement by consensus should be reached and the decisions implemented as soon as possible. Other measures are, but not limited to;  proper management of public funds and properties, fairness and equity in administration, separation of powers, total Independence of the three arms of government, the various ministries/parastatals and other vital organs of the government from politicization, a true practice of democracy and true federalism. With these amongst many others, we can manage the unsavory situation imposed by the 1914 amalgamation if we still want to remain a nation.