Would you like an answer to the question – what is the first capital of Nigeria? The answer to this question has raised many eyebrows. You might be wondering why. Let us explain it right here.
When it comes to the question of which state served as the first capital of Nigeria, there have been series of controversial answers. These controversies arose because there is no official evidence to back some of the claims. Some facts claim that the first capital of Nigeria was Lokoja, others claim it was Calabar. Some other people believe that Asaba was the first capital of Nigeria. But the popular and widely accepted answer to this question is Lagos. So let us look at each of these claims and try to reach a reasonable conclusion on the first capital of Nigeria.
Calabar
According to Wikipedia and other reliable sources, Calabar served as the first capital of the Southern Protectorate, the Oil River Protectorate, and Niger Coast Protectorate. This is why some people see Calabar as the first capital of Nigeria until the late nineteenth century. The administrative center of the Southern protectorate was later moved to Lagos in 1906.
Asaba
Based on reliable historical authority, it is believed that the British masters began administration from Asaba when they came to Nigeria.
READ ALSO: First military head of state in Nigeria.
Lokoja
Another fact not known to many Nigerians is that Lady Flora Shaw came up with the name Nigeria while she was in Lokoja. Also, the first Governor-general of Nigeria, Lord Frederick Lugard ruled from Lokoja after the Southern protectorates and Northern protectorates were amalgamated to form one Nigeria.
Lagos
Before the amalgamation of the Southern protectorate and Northern protectorate, Lagos was the administrative center of the Southern protectorate from 1906. After the amalgamation in 1914 that brought about the creation of Nigeria, Lagos was named as the official capital of Nigeria. Lagos was the capital of Nigeria until December 12, 1991, when it was moved to Abuja by the Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.
So from everything stated above, we can conclude that Calabar was probably the first capital of the Southern protectorate. While Lagos was the official capital of Nigeria after the amalgamation in 1914. Since the Nigeria of today was not formed until 1914, we can say Lagos is the first capital of Nigeria.
So the next time the argument of the first capital of Nigeria comes up, you should be able to explain the facts. Take note that it is the generally accepted official answer that the first capital of Nigeria is Lagos.
READ ALSO: First Prime Minister of Nigeria.
0naze
No comments:
Post a Comment