Why was Queen Mary I of England called ‘Bloody Mary’?
During Queen Mary's reign, 227 men and 56 women were executed, including Bishops Nicholas Ridley, Hugh Latimer, and Thomas Cranmer...
Werner Forssmann: The Nobel Prize winner who “touched his own heart”
In 1956, Werner Forssmann shared the Nobel Prize in Medicine (with Andre Cournand and Dickinson Richards) to develop a heart catheterization technique...
10 Strange Facts about the Love Life of Ancient Egyptians
Among the ancient Egyptians, women were respected, birth control was used, and premarital sex was rampant.
The Tragic Story of Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s First Prime Minister
Patrice Lumumba became Congo's first prime minister just as Belgium, the colonial ruler of the region, was preparing to grant her independence on June 30, 1960.
The Seven Wonders of Ancient Africa
The Great Walls of the Benin Kingdom built by the Edo people c.1055, is one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient Africa.
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.
The Forgotten Arab Slave Trade of East Africa
The Arab slave trade in East Africa is one of the oldest, stretching back 700 years before the European transatlantic slave trade.
The Nigerian Naira (₦): A History of its Rise and Fall
On January 1, 1973, the Nigerian Naira replaced the Nigerian pound with an exchange rate of ₦2 to £1 in the UK and ₦1 to $0.6 in the U.S.
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.
Top 5 African Cities that are most vulnerable to Climate Change
According to the Africa Growth Initiative, Africa...has 7 out of the 10 countries that are considered the most threatened by climate change all over the world.
Did the Almoravids sack the Ghana Empire in 1240?
Some modern historians argued that the notion of any Almoravid military conquest is...derived from a misinterpretation of or limited reliance on Arabic scripts.
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.
Who are the Real Founding Fathers of Nigeria?
Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa are commonly mentioned when Nigerians discuss their founding fathers...
Top 5 Looted Treasures from Africa
Reports say 80-90% of Africa’s looted treasures are currently held abroad – mostly in European nations.
Why Nigeria, 27 African Countries boycotted the 1976 Montréal Olympic Games
Montréal was the first Canadian city to hold an Olympic Games in 1976. The 21st Olympiad took place between July 17 and August 1, 1976.
Isaac Adaka Boro (1938-1968): Nigeria’s First Secessionist
Before Emeka Ojukwu declared the Republic of Biafra in May 1967, Isaac Adaka Boro had declared the Niger Delta Republic in February 1966.
Why Africans don’t celebrate Black History Month
In the United States of America, where Black History Month originated, it is also known as African American History Month.
How Evans Monsignac Spent 27 Days Under the 2010 Haiti Earthquake
Everyone thought Evans Monsignac had died in the earthquake, but, 27 days after the deadly tragedy, the man believed to be one of the longest-ever earthquake survivors, was found alive by rescue workers.
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.
Is Lagos a No Man’s Land?
Lagos was the capital city of Nigeria for 77 years until the seat of government was moved to Abuja, which was planned and built specifically for that purpose.
A Short History of Onitsha
Onitsha became part of the British protectorate in 1884 which made the British colonial government and Christian missionaries penetrate most of Igboland...
How 5-Year-Old Lina Medina Became the Youngest Mother in History
On May 14, 1939, at the age of five years, seven months, and three weeks, Lina Medina became the youngest mother in world history to have ever given birth to a child.