Nigeria as we know it today did not always exist as one country.

Before 1914, there was no single nation called Nigeria. Instead, the land we now call Nigeria was made up of different regions, kingdoms, empires, and communities, each with its own systems of leadership, culture, economy, and way of life.

So what was Nigeria really like in 1913, just before the British joined these territories together?

Let’s take a step back in time.

Nigeria Was Not One Country

In 1913, the area called Nigeria today was mainly divided into:

  • The Northern Protectorate
  • The Southern Protectorate
  • The Colony of Lagos

These were separate administrative regions under British control, but they were not one unified country.

Before British rule, there were powerful and independent societies such as:

  • The Sokoto Caliphate in the North
  • The Oyo Empire, Benin Kingdom, and other Yoruba states in the West
  • The Igbo communities and Eastern kingdoms
  • The Kanem-Bornu Empire and many others

Each had its own:

  • Rulers and political systems
  • Trade networks
  • Laws and traditions
  • Cultural identities

People did not think of themselves as “Nigerians.” They identified first with their ethnic group, kingdom, or region.

Different Systems of Government

Before amalgamation, governance was not the same everywhere.

  • In the North, the British largely ruled through existing traditional rulers using indirect rule, especially under the Islamic emirate system.
  • In the West, there were structured kingdoms with kings and councils, which the British also used for administration.
  • In the East, many communities had more decentralized systems, with councils of elders and village assemblies rather than powerful kings.

This meant the British faced very different political systems across the regions—and they governed them differently.

Different Economies and Lifestyles

In 1913, life was mostly agricultural and trade-based.

  • The North was known for groundnuts, cotton, leather, and trans-Saharan trade.
  • The West was strong in cocoa, palm produce, and trade with the coast.
  • The East was active in palm oil, palm kernel trade, and local commerce.
  • Lagos had become an important port and trading center under British control.

People farmed, traded, crafted goods, and ran local markets. There were no oil exports, no big modern industries, and no national economy as we know it today.

Each region mainly focused on its own resources and trade routes.

No Shared National Identity

In 1913:

  • There was no Nigerian flag
  • No Nigerian anthem
  • No Nigerian passport
  • No idea of “one Nigeria”

A person was more likely to say:

  • “I am Hausa,”
  • “I am Yoruba,”
  • “I am Igbo,”
  • “I am Tiv,”
  • Or identify with a specific kingdom or community.

The idea of Nigeria as a single nation had not yet been created.

Why the British Wanted Amalgamation

By 1913, the British faced a practical problem:

  • The North was large but expensive to run and did not generate enough revenue.
  • The South (especially the coastal areas) was more profitable because of trade and taxes.
  • Running two separate administrations was costly and inefficient.

The British decided it would be cheaper and easier to merge the regions and manage them as one territory.

So, in 1914, the Northern and Southern Protectorates were joined together in what became known as the Amalgamation of Nigeria.

What Changed After Amalgamation

After amalgamation:

  • Different peoples were now part of one political entity
  • Resources from the South helped fund administration in the North
  • A single colonial government was created
  • The name “Nigeria” became official for the whole territory

But it’s important to remember: this unity was administrative, not cultural or social. The deep differences in history, culture, religion, and systems did not disappear overnight.

The Hidden Truth About 1913 Nigeria

In 1913, the land we now call Nigeria was:

  • Diverse
  • Separate
  • Culturally rich
  • Politically fragmented
  • And not yet a single nation

Amalgamation did not create unity instantly—it created a shared political space that would later grow into the modern Nigerian state, with all its strengths and challenges.

Final Thought

Understanding what Nigeria was like before amalgamation helps explain why Nigeria is so diverse today—and why building unity has always been a complex task.

Nigeria did not start as one people. It started as many peoples brought together by history.

And that history still shapes the country today.

One Love Naija — One Nigeria. One Voice. One Love.

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👉 Do you think amalgamation helped or complicated Nigeria’s journey as a nation? Why?