A Short History of Abeokuta
Abeokuta, the story of the home of the Egba people, started with their liberation from the rulership of the Alaafin of Oyo Empire.
Why Lord Lugard joined Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914
In 1912, Lord Frederick Lugard was appointed Governor-General of both Northern and Southern Nigeria with the mandate to unite the two Protectorates.
How the “Curse of Ogun State” may cut short Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency
Every occupant of the President/Head of State and Vice President/Deputy Head of State offices in Nigeria who hails from the South-West is from Ogun State.
Does the Republic of Biafra still exist?
In his No Victor, No Vanquished speech on January 15, 1970, General Yakubu Gowon asserted that “the so-called 'Rising Sun of Biafra' is set forever.”
Ibrahim Babangida: The Untold Story of an “Evil Genius”
No other government in Nigerian history has presided over such a major expansion of government bureaucracy as the Ibrahim Babangida administration.
Bashorun Gaa: The “Wicked Prime Minister” of the Old Oyo Empire
It was impossible for Bashorun Gaa to become an Alaafin of the Oyo Empire as the Prime Minister bore no blood of Oranmiyan to claim the throne...
What Really Happened in Aburi that Led to the Nigerian Civil War?
In January 1967, representatives from the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Eastern Region met in Ghana to agree on what is now known as the Aburi Accord...
Nigeria and Its Oil: A Story of Bloodshed, Poverty, Pollution in the Niger Delta
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) recorded three thousand, two hundred and three (3,203) oil spills in the Niger Delta region between 2006 and 2010.
How Bola Ige, Funsho Williams were assassinated in the early 2000s
While Bola Ige was shot and killed in Ibadan, Funsho Williams was stabbed and strangled to death at his home in Lagos.
Yar’Adua’s Ailment, Jonathan’s Quandary and the Doctrine of Necessity
With the fears that the power vacuum would lead to anarchy and a possible military takeover...they reached a compromise by adopting the Doctrine of Necessity.
How Dele Giwa was Bombed to Death in 1986
Dele Giwa kept moaning the refrain, “They have got me.” Who he referred to as “they” still remains a riddle to this day.
Was Calabar ever the capital of Nigeria?
Although Calabar was the capital of this new Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, however, most of the colonial, diplomatic activities and high-level official businesses were carried out in Lagos.
Why the April 22, 1990, Gideon Orkar Coup failed
The April 22, 1990, Gideon Orkar coup led to the speedy movement of the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1991 which would disrupt the Abuja masterplan.
Ìwé Ìròhìn: Nigeria’s First Newspaper
In January 1866, Iwe Irohin appeared in two versions; one in English and the other in the Yoruba language. The English language version sold for one penny.
The Tragic Story of Hadiza Oboh, Nigeria Airways’ First Female Pilot
Hadiza Oboh was the first and only female pilot of the defunct Nigeria Airways in the 1990s. She was an amazon in, not only, the Nigerian aviation industry but the world at large.
Ahebi Ugbabe: The Only Female King in Colonial Nigeria
Ahebi Ugbabe has been described succinctly by Nwando Achebe in her book, The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe, published in 2011...
How the Umaru Dikko Kidnap of July 1984 Failed
Umaru Dikko fled to London through the Republic of Benin...to Togo and took a flight to London from Lome. The minister had become "Nigeria's most wanted man".
How Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti ‘sacked’ the Alake of Egbaland in 1949
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, with thousands of Egba women, led a two-year protest against the Alake of Abeokuta which resulted in his abdication on January 3, 1949.
How Saburi Biobaku, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, was nearly killed in 1965
Professor Saburi Biobaku least expected it. A radical student activist...surged forward from the crowd and stabbed the Vice-Chancellor at the back...
1843: The Year Christianity entered Abeokuta
The first church service which ushered in Christianity to Abeokuta took place on Sunday, January 8, 1843. The service was conducted in Chief Sodeke's residence.
Why Usman dan Fodio’s 1804 Sokoto Jihad failed in Kanem-Bornu
Kanem-Bornu, now in present-day Northern Nigeria, was the only real opposition to Usman dan Fodio's 1804 Sokoto Jihad.
July 29: The Day Aguiyi-Ironsi, Gowon, Nzeogwu met their doom
Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was 41 years, 10 months, and 13 days old when he became Nigeria's first military Head-of-State on January 16, 1966.
