British author Joanne Rowling once remarked, “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided,” highlighting the resilience that unity can inspire. American poet Gwendolyn Brooks echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing interdependence: “We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.” These quotes encapsulate a profound message for Nigeria—a nation of remarkable diversity but faced with the challenge of building a cohesive identity.

Nigeria is home to communities with rich histories, varied languages, distinct cultural practices, and deeply rooted spiritual beliefs. Long before colonialism, these communities governed themselves with organized systems, overseeing social, economic, and spiritual life. The kingdoms and empires of Ife, Oyo, Kanem-Bornu, Benin, and the Igbo were self-reliant, autonomous entities operating independently. Yet, in the 15th century, when Europeans arrived for trade and missionary purposes, these dynamics began to shift. Trade relationships with Europe expanded, but by the 19th century, these external interests took a colonial turn.

The turning point was the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, an initiative led by Germany’s Otto von Bismarck, where 13 European nations, along with the United States, convened to divide Africa’s territories. Notably, Africa itself was absent from the table. With the British establishing control over Nigeria, Lagos became the first British colony in 1861, and by conquest or treaty, Britain expanded its reach across Nigeria. This culminated in 1914 when Lord Frederick Lugard unified the northern and southern regions to streamline British administration. Though geographically amalgamated, the people of these regions retained their distinct histories, languages, and governance practices, sowing early seeds of tribalism.

Even after Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, these historical divisions fueled ethnic and regional disparities. Conflicts such as the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), sparked by the secessionist movement for Biafra, exposed deep national fault lines. Further strife has emerged, including the Niger Delta insurgency and Boko Haram terrorism, as groups seek solutions to local grievances.

Today, Nigerians continue to navigate their diverse cultural and historical backgrounds in pursuit of national unity. With vast human capital and abundant resources, Nigeria’s true potential can only be realized if its people embrace their shared differences. The British amalgamation, initially intended to serve colonial interests, now offers an opportunity for Nigerians to forge a resilient and inclusive identity—one that upholds the nation’s status as Africa’s giant in every sense.