Usman dan Fodio: Progenitor of the Sokoto Caliphate
Usman dan Fodio wrote more than a hundred books on religion, administration, culture, and community. He promoted literacy and education, particularly for women, and many of his daughters became scholars and authors. His works and sayings are still very much quoted today.
How Alhassan Dantata became West Africa’s Richest Man in the 1950s
As of the time of his death in 1955, Alhaji Alhassan Dantata was the richest man in all of West Africa...
Samora Machel: A Luta Continua!
A Luta Continua are Portuguese words that were made popular by Samora Machel, first president of Mozambique after its independence in 1975.
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.
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...
Dora Akunyili: The African Woman Who Won 930 Awards
During her lifetime, Dora Akunyili received 820 awards. After her death, 110 more were discovered in her boxes, bringing the total to 930. No Nigerian has more.
Gambo Sawaba: Married at 13, Politician at 17, Imprisoned at 20
Gambo Sawaba was an Amazon and an enigma in the 20th century Northern Nigeria. Right from the start, the major aspects of her character emerged very boldly.
Samuel Adegboyega: Pioneer of Apostolic Pentecostalism in Nigeria
Samuel Adegboyega was named Gbadebo after Oba Gbadebo I, the sixth Alake of Egbaland, Abeokuta, as he was from a royal house himself.
Kaduna Nzeogwu: Hero or Villain?
Major Kaduna Nzeogwu was the first Nigerian to become an officer in Military Intelligence. Born on February 26, 1937, Nzeogwu was only 20 when he joined the Nigerian Army in March 1957.
Festus Okotie-Eboh: Nigeria’s most flamboyant Politician
As the Federal Minister of Finance, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh was instrumental in the founding of Nigeria's Central Bank in 1959.
40 Interesting Facts about Ibadan
Ibadan was founded by the Yoruba people in 1750. It became a Yoruba military headquarters in 1829 and came under British rule in 1893...
25 Interesting Facts About Cross River State
Cross River State is the leading tourism state in Nigeria. Especially the capital, Calabar. Visitors from different parts of Nigeria come to the city in large numbers all year round.
Muhammadu Ribadu: Nigeria’s First Minister of Defence
As Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Ribadu presided over a rapid expansion of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, as well as the creation of the Nigeria Air Force.
Nnamdi Azikiwe: How Do We Remember Nigeria’s First President?
Popularly known as "Zik" or "The Great Zik of Africa", Nnamdi Azikiwe was Nigeria’s first president at the beginning of the First Republic in 1963.
Ken Saro-Wiwa: Writer, Environmental Activist, Martyr
It took five attempts to hang Ken Saro-Wiwa before he spoke his last words and his body went limp.
Was Joseph Gomwalk guilty of the 1976 Dimka Coup?
Joseph Gomwalk was only 41 years old when he was executed on May 15, 1976, in Lagos, the federal capital.
Alvan Ikoku: 10 Interesting Facts about the Man on the 10 Naira Note
Alvan Ikoku and his son, Samuel Goomsu Ikoku (1922–1997), were political rivals. Samuel won an election against his father at the Eastern Regional Assembly elections on March 15, 1957.
50 Interesting Facts About Ahmadu Bello
In 1953, Sir Ahmadu Bello referred to Nigeria as the "mistake of 1914". Interestingly, the country's Democracy Day is now celebrated on his birthday.
Ernest Shonekan (1936-2022): A Child of Circumstance
At around 3:30 p.m. on August 26, 1993, Ernest Shonekan was sworn in as Nigeria’s new Head of State by Chief Justice Mohammed Bello.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi: Did the General deserve to die?
Ironsi's proclamation of Decree 34 on May 24, 1966, marked the beginning of the end for him. The decree strengthened the centre, thereby removing the powers granted to the regions.
